Author: Katherine Lubbers

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The father and Daughter I was able to have an casual conversation with in Spanish

Getting back in the swing of things wasn’t too difficult , but coming back to the weather was. Right now I am really missing the 80 degree weather that we were enjoying down there. Friends and family have been asking me about the trip. “How was it?” “What was your favorite thing?” “Do the toilets flush the other way?”. Its hard for me to express just how amazing the trip was, because no one thing sticks out. For me, It was an all around fun, jammed packed week of adventure and learning. Everyday was amazing in its own way. But if I had to pin point the one thing I enjoyed most about the trip, I’d have to say it was trying to speak Spanish. I am by no means fluent, or frankly even good, at Spanish, but everyday was a challenge to have a conversation with someone. I got very good at asking how much things cost and numbers are easier to understand now. My proudest moment language wise was when we were waiting for the bus to take us to Vina del Mar, and I had an actual, real life, casual conversation with a father and his daughter- Francesca. He came over to our group and was asking where we were from so I answered! I said a lot of things wrong and 50% of the whole interaction hinged on hand gestures, but I did it, and I’m glad I did.

This trip made me more confident and more motivated to travel in the future and I look forward to the next chance I get.

Goodbye Chile! I hope to see you again.

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Sketch in the Museum of Memory

The Museum of Memory was an experience that moved me tremendously.

It started with the open stair case. Wasn’t that an incredible way to start the viewers off? The stairs behind then though were what got me, because to me, they represented the people who couldn’t leave the country and had to watch their friends and family leave them.

I thought the layout of the museum as a whole was done very well too. In a lot of museums, there is a big chance that you miss information because the hallways to and from places are all similar. Here, it’s just on recangle with one piece of circulation on the side. It’s hard to miss displays, which is good for such an informative museum as this one.

The glass box that created a space for reflection was very special. Separated from the hallway by a sign lair square column, it made us look at the faces of those who were lost to history. An interesting thing that I noticed was that the crystal lights that illuminated the inside perimeter of the box flecked in the glas walls, making it look like the lights continue in space and touch the photo wall. Your own reflection was in the glass too, making it look like you were with the ones on the wall. I think that moment of reflection alludes to how if you don’t teach people about history, it is bound to repeat itself. The glass box makes you wonder, as it put you up on the wall, if history reap eats itself, will it be me this time who suffers?

All in all, I highly recommend this museum.

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Chemamulles exhibit

Sketch of Chemamulles exhibit

I know this was yesterday, but I can’t get over the Pre-Columbian museum- specifically the Chemamulles exhibit. They are wooden statues that were placed on the tombs in ancient Mapuche burial sites and they represent the spirits of the dead. The sky light from above gave soft, but still strong lighting to the statues that accentuated the details of the figure. The eyes, nose, chin, and breasts in the women especially. The order in which they were placed was smartly done as well. It goes from high to low from, if you’re looking at it, left to right, with hierarchy given to the farthest left figure which is the tallest and has the biggest head. All are male figures except for two, the second and third from the left. This tells the observer that women were also given these carvings to adorn their graves and help them into the afterlife, however they are some of the smallest which may indicate social class. I also thought it was interesting that one is leaning to the right. The display allowed for imperfections which I absolutely love in design. No human is perfect so why should their spirits be any different?

Aside from the subtle inferences one can glean from what is presented, they also have a significant effect on the underground gallery as a whole. As you go from display to display, you are acutely aware of the shadowed eyes following you. I hope for some, the feeling that someone is watching them will encourage them not to use flash when taking photos down there. Although, I believe for most, they act as watchers over what is left of their people in the gallery and reminders that the people who used and wore what we are seeing there, are now dead and these Chemamulles were their grave markers.

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Well that was a long flight. And although it was a relatively good flight, getting off was a welcome relief. And so was the weather! Blue skies and a subtle breeze gave me a wonderful first impression of Chile. I also think that hiking up Cerro San Cristobol was the best way to be introduced to the city. And while I’m not particularly religious, it was very moving to see how much religion is ingrained into the culture here. I was able to get a quite moment near on, if you are facing Mary, the left side of the Cerro where I was able to take in the fact that I am actually in the Southern Hemisphere. Also while I was there, I tried Mote con Huesillo, the peach drink, and I thought it was delicious! I had never had anything like that before! I of course loved Parque de la Infancil and I am very jealous that Port Huron Michigan had nothing like it while I was growing up. That night, me, Nick, and Trent went out to dinner and had Empanadas that were to die for and I, while trying to speak Spanish, accidentally asked the waiter for the recipe instead of the check.

The next day I woke up late but still managed to get down in time. The thing that struck me most during the walk down town was the memorial for coup. The graffiti on the door was very powerful and stopped me in my track. After that, I thoroughly enjoyed the cultural center and plaza de Adams.mbut my favorite part of the day was going up Santa Lucia. The height of Cerro San Cristobal was good, but I appreciated the styling of Santa Lucia. On that trek, we also met some friendly Australian who seemed very happy to see other people who spoke English.

I can’t wait to see what else is in store!

Kate out

Pre-Departure

I am so excited! Its 9.30 am right now, I have everything packed, I don’t think I’m forgetting anything, and I ate a good breakfast! All I have to do now is download my podcasts and music for the plane (Anyone who is looking for a good podcast and is into science check out Skeptics Guide to the Universe)! Unfortunately, I need to do some studying on the plane. But whats a better motivator than being stuck in the same spot for 12 hours?

I think I am most excited for the Market, Valapariso, and for practicing my Spanish. I will definitely be trying grapes while I’m there and hopefully a lot of new food! I am also hoping to hike on our free day. I want to ask the guide about to get to, and where are, good trail heads. So if anyone else finds that interesting, let me know and we can try to work something out as a group 🙂 I’m still a little worried about money, but I don;’t think those fears will go away until I actually have Chilean money in my hand. This is going to be such an amazing trip and I am so excited to be spending spring break with everyone going.

See you all soon!

About Kate Lubbers

Hello! My name is Kate Lubbers and I am from Port Huron, Michigan. I am a first year student here at OSU majoring in Architecture and minoring in Spanish- making this an ideal spring break trip to go on. I am involved in the organization Destination Imagination, Serivecture, and I’m in the Architecture Scholars Program. I am a runner, and while I may use that word generously now, I plan on running a half marathon by the end of the year! I am also a snowboarder, and a french horn player (even though I don’t play it currently). My favorite flower is a Blue Columbine, my favorite tree is a palm tree. I am a Chai Tea enthusiast and I will never say no to a red velvet cupcake. My favorite season is Autumn and my favorite musical is “The Drowsy Chaperone” with “Wicked” coming in a close second. My family and I have traveled around the United States a lot, mainly to National Parks, so I am no stranger to planes or long trips, but the only foreign country I’ve been to is Canada. I am so excited to be fully immersed in the Chilean culture. I am sure this will be an incredible experience for the art, architecture, landscape, and people! 

Kate’s Selfie

Hello! My name is Kate and my favorite book is Ender’s Game, my favorite album ever is Stadium Arcadium, and my parents are both Canadian so I am a first generation American! Guess which one is false!1484084453069-1096382960