A LONG report from Qi Li in Chile
To all the exchange students.........
Greetings fron Puerto Natales, Chile. I Am really sorry that i am sending you these reports so late. I know there is no excuse but i will give you an explanation. I have not had access to email since sometime in November. Since i started volunteering in Charles Darwin (that was my school) i was able to use the internet but for only 10 or 15 minutes (if i am lucky). There is always a class, and since there is only one computer connected with a modem, the
students have to wait in line to occupy the net. I try writing the emails in the house, but the computer has had so much problems. you dont know how many files i have lost when the system fails for some reason. I have finally given up trying to work on Microsoft Word. I always save my work. But for some reason or another i cannot open my files and end up getting errors. Well, i have put together a large report since November with the program Bloc of notas.
I am not sure if i sent some of these to you already. I think i might hae sent one or two of them. I hope you understand.
Sincerely, Qi Li
Sorry this email is late. I wrote it last Wednesday. Unfortunately there was something wrong with the password and telefonical lines in the school. Thus i am emailing it today. An update: The student from Chiloe is arriving late today, not Sunday. I guess he enjoyed Punto Arenas. In addition to that the President of the Rotary Club from Punto Arenas is coming with other Rotary members and a German exchange student is accompanying the crew. I am invited to the
a dinner/meeting at the Rotary Club tonight. But before that, i will be having "once" with the wife of the president of the club, Carlos Vidal. To add to that, i am teaching a Biology lesson to two of my friends, Edison and Maurisol during lunchtime. Needless to say, i am swamped today. It is one of my busy days.
24 de Noviembre 1999
Greetings from Chile
Guess what!...an exchange student from Chiloe is coming to Puerto Natales for a week. He is going to stay with my host family while he is here. The purpose of his adventure, to say the least, is mainly to visit Punto Arenas and Torres de Paine. I am very excited about this matter. Finally, i get a chance to meet another Rotary Exchange student. I hope he has a great deal of information about Chiloe and the Rotary Club there. Whats more awesome is the fact that i
might be able to go to Chiloe later in December for a week also...its an exchange within an exchange program...cool, huh! The other reason for my excitement is due to the fact that being the only exchange student in Puerto Natales
is unlike being an exchange student in Hollywood, Cooper City, Miami, etc. I guess this is because Rotary International in South Florida is much more active. In Natales, there are no meetings of all the exchange students, no camping reunions, no gatherings in the schools, etc. Rotary International is not very involved here. But, i guess thats one of the things i am learning to deal with. I have to take it upon myself to communicate with the Club. Such issue is the matter about schooling for the coming year. We are almost at the end of the school year. I dont know if i will continue school in Charles Darwin. I was told by Rotary when i arrived that i will be able to take classes in the college here, but voluntarily. However, when i talked to the person incharge of the exchange program he said that we would have to talk to the director of the college and the director in Punto Arenas because the college is a branch of the school in Punto Arenas. For this reason I am kind of worried about next year. On the other hand, school will not
start again until March of next year. I will have to see what happens.
November, 1999
How are you doing? I hope everthing is fine. Tell the other exchange students i said hi. It seems that the exchange student, Hans, had already arrived in Puerto Natales, but the rotarians did not inform me of anything. My host mom and I were waiting for him to arrived because Carlos Zarrilla said he was likely going to stay with us for about a week. The only way we found out was by keep on visiting and asking Carlos Zarrilla and Don Carlos Vidal. I hope they would keep me posted on everything that is going on in Rotary. In the first meeting i asked if i could participate in the rotary activities especially community service activities. Well, i was told that when they have activities, i would be inform. But i have heard nothing as of yet. I was invited to my second Rotary Meeting with Hans on the 29th. They told me about the meeing in the last minute ( the day of the meeting ). The reunion was of great importance because it took place to introduce the Governor of the district. I really wanted to present my host family to the rotary club, However, they told me that it was only for rotarians and their wives and that they will send invitations for a future
reunion with my host family. I hope so. They are good people.
On Nov 30, I was invited to go on a trip to the Vantesqueros (that is where the glaciers are) with Hans, the exchange student from Chiloe. We traveled by ship and coincedently, Nicholas Braus (an exchange student from Wisconsin) was taking the same tour. We all got together and conversed about our backgrounds and why we wanted to be an exchange student. "Los Vatesqueros" are definitley places of magic. I dont know how to describe it, but it is awsome with glaciers, mountains, and rocks. Whats more, the peacefulness one feels in the freshness of nature is truly relaxing. Its something one has to experience first hand. The only thing is that the we had to be very careful when walking on the route to "Vantesqueros Serrano." Although there are tour guides, there is no telling what can happen. It is high up in the mountains and climbing is pretty difficult. Due to the coolness of the air, I was told to wear a thermal suit, which made it a little hard for me get around. But I am glad my host sister let me borrow her suit because the boat tour to the glaciers was freezing. When we got back to Natales my host mother was already waiting for me at the dock. I am lucky to have her as a host mother. Being away for the first time, i truly missed her. We invited Nicholas and Hans to have "once" in our house. On our way we stopped by the high school to introduce Hans to my classmates. Half of the kids were not even in class and ones that were there were, more or less, conversing. Therefore, we asked the math teacher if he and my classmates (if will let them leave early) would like to have "once" together. He agreed to let the students get off early. However, he could not go because he had another class to attend to and papere to grade. Nevertherless, the chief teacher, Profesor Fernando, agreed to join us. This is an example of how generous my host parents are. The house is usually filled of people visiting or students and relatives spending the night. That is one of the good reasons about living in such a small city like Natales. Friends and family members
usually live close by. It is also easier to make friends because everyone knows each other.
General Report
Although its still a bit chilly, I am doing well. The weather for the past few days has been extremely damp (alot of rain and wind), and it is cold off and on. So I hear it is winter in Florida as oppose to the start of the summer here. I guess the names of the seasons dont make much of a difference. You are also experiencing a little bit of cold. So how about an update about whats going on here. In the previous email you sent me you asked if I have gotten the chance to know some of the unique places in the region Magallanes- some the landscape and different cities such as Punta Arenas. Well, youll be happy to know that I have visited the national, natural park, Torres Del Paine, the historical cave, Cueva Del Milodon, and the huge rock, Silla de Diablo. Let me think, I went to Torres Del Paine for the first time in the middle of October with the students of the Regional Mathematics Competition. My host sisters and I were given the opportunity to accompany them. The reason was being such generous people, my family agreeded to host 3 competetors for the 2 days of competition. Following the exam the kids were treated to a bus ride to Paine. However, some of the students left for home in Agentina, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, etc,. early. Therefore, we were, luckly, invited to fill the empty spots on the bus. Wow was the word that was in my mind when we arrived at the National Park. It is truly amazing, a site that is an opportunity to see, and a place that is wonderfully tranquil. The day was very windy, so the bus was rocking a little with the blowing of the water from the lakes. Ok, that was a bit scary, but
thrilling. I do not know how to explain the feeling. Actually, there is really no way to explain the feeling you get when you are there. You have to experience it for yourself. When we got home my host father invited me to go to Paine the next day because he was taking 2 university professors to get to know the park. I was definitely excited. The day after, the trip was even better because we left early at 6 in the morning and having more time, visited more places
and barbacued. It is amazing. In reality, no matter trip you take to Paine you will always be fasinated by new sites. Due to the fact that it is widely spread out you encounter different species of animals every time you go. There are Caikens, hunacos, candors, ostriches, flamingos, rabbits, etc,. Thats not all. The historical cave, Cueva del Milodon, is also a vey exciting site to visit. Goodness, I sound like an advertisement for these places. Oh well! It is not far from Natales, about 45 minutes to an hour in a car depending on the weather. Whats really bad are the roads. Most of
them leading to anywhere, as a matter of fact, are not constructed. You have to really get ready for a bumpy ride, and it does terrible damage on the car. Thats just one of the disadvantages of being in a frontier town. You have to sacrifice the technology. Back to the cave. Let me see. How should describe it? First of all, I am not going to say it is like any old cave because this is my first visit to a real cave. WOW! How exciting! There are 3 caves. Because the timing, we visited 2 of them. I think it was the medium one. At the entrance there is a statue of a milodon, the
historical, extinct creature that roaned the caves. Due to erosion, holes in the ceiling of the cave allow natural water to fall through. My host sisters and I had a little water fight and we climbed the rocks and the trees. Leaving the caves we drove to the Silla de Diablo. I really dont know why it is named that. It is enormous, and I have to say, it looks a little dangerous. Nevertheless, my host sister, Sara, and I climbed pretty high up. Unfortunately we couldnt get to the top. At the end of the day we had a picnic ou in the field. I have to say that I had a great deal of fun. I really enjoy the outdoors. It is definitely unique. I have also traveled to Punta Arenas. The first time I went with 2 of my classmates, Catty and Sara, for a drug prevention convention in October. However, I did not really get a chance to know the city well. Traveling by bus, we left Puerto Natales at 9:30 in the morning and arrived at 12:30 in the afternoon. I met some of Saras relatives, attended the convention, and left by bus at night. It was basically rush, rush. There wasnt much time to waste or to wander around.
Well, my following trip to Punta Arenas was much more enjoyable. Due to the fact that, my younger host sister, Raquel, had a dental appointment, the whole family decided to accompany her. I cannot remember the exact date. But it was in the end of November. We traveled in a van and stayed the night with relatives of my host family. By the way, my host family has plenty of family members widely disperse in Chile, but especially in Punta Arenas. Their families are very nice and easy to be around. I guess it is because they are informal, which makes it so much easier for me to fit in and be comfortable. In the morning we wandered around the centro and the plazas, and then we
went to Zona Franco and some big supermarkets (they are similar to SAMS and COSCO), Abu -Gosch, Marisol,
etc., Zona Franco is a big shopping center. Actually, it is the only shopping mall in this region. Unlike the malls in Florida, we had to wait for the shops to open due to the fact that all the shops close for lunch from 12 to 3 in the afternoon. We basically went shopping for mostly necessities. They bought enough things to stock up for months, because the fact is that there are no big shops or grand supermarkets in Puerto Natales. That just gives you an image of how country-like Natales is. The people have to travel to another city to see the dentist or to go to a mall. But i guess the kids like that. It is like taking a fieldtrip....talk about taking a trip to the dentist...ok, i admit it, i am trying to be funny but you dont have to laugh....
General Report
I am doing fine in Chile. It is finally getting a little warmer, more like a winter in Florida. How i miss the wonderful climate in Florida. I hope you are enjoying the sun. Being here in Natales has made me realize a great deal about Florida and the lifestyle there. It has given me a chance to reflect and observer what i couldnt see at home. Natales is as frontier as a frontier town can get. I would describe it as more of a country-like or frontier place such as the town in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, not to mention the fact that it is isolated from the rest of the world. At first i was very disappointed at being in Natales because it was not very modern as far as technology advances are concern. In addition, it did not have plentiful of recreactional areas such as parks, zoos, beaches, malls, etc. But I am not complaining. But what it lacks, it makes up in natural attractions. Such places are Torres de Paine, Cueva de Milodon, Glaciers (vendisqueros) and the mountains and hills. Natales is surrounding buy the most magnificient
natural chains of moutains and plains of fields for farming. The safety matters here is extremely different from
Hollywood, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, etc. I feel much safer here than anywhere in South Florida. The thing about living in a small town is the fact that everyone knows everyone and everyone knows what is going on with matters that go on here. But, on the other hand, the people here are pretty much the same- pretty much simple and humble. Speaking of simialrities, unlike the melting pot of Florida and rest of the US the people of Natales are almost all of one culture, religion, and background. The arrival of the exchange students, Nicholas (Youth for Understanding), Natales
(Youth for Understanding), and I (Rotary) kind of, i wouldnt say disrupted, but changed the flow of things here. Everyone is curious about my life. Even when i go to the grocery store, the chasiers ask me where i am from and where i live and if i like it here in Natales and what language i speak and what grade i am in and how things are my home, etc. It is like wow, how exciting we have a chinese girl here in Natales who lives in Florida, US and is an exchange students in Charles Darwin. Although it is not a place i would like to spend my life, in many ways i like this place. Besides the calmity and peacefulness, Natales is very beautiful and distinct from other towns in the world. Natales is one of a kind.
December, 1999
The time has passes much quicker than I expected. We are already closing the year and beginning anew. December was a month with much saddness and on the other hand, with cheers. School for seniors in Charles Darwin ended officially on the 3rd of December. In actually, the kids stop going to class in the end of November, and on top of that we were all busy preparing for the graduation cermony on the 7th. Unlike in the U.S., the gowns and caps could be made
at home. Preparing for the Big Day took up more time than i expected. We all worked diligently together. The graduation cards and thank you cards took a great amount of time to finish because of the fact that i wrote them in English and Spanish. Believe me, my spanish is not very good. I always get confuse with the verb conjugations and the location of adverbs, pronouns, and adjectives. When the day finally arrived, we were with much nerviousness, all 9 of us. However, it passes by pretty smoothly. After the ceremony we had a dinner with the parents, the director, and the chief teacher of 9th through 12th grade. The night ended with the " Fiesta de Gala". It was a graduation party. We were expected to dress up with the guys in suits and the girls in elegant dresses. Some of the kids went all out while the rest
of us put something decent and formal on. After the party, we all went to the "Pub Forteleza" and danced the night away. Some of the kids got really drunk and acted extremely ridiculous. It sad to see the kids youngesters this way. However, here in Natales and many parts of the world, it is not rare. Teens are allow to drink and even smoke at a very young are. I am proud we have restrictive rules against nicotine and alcohol in Florida. After the whole big graduation event, my whole class (including myself) went to Torres the Paine the 9th through the 11th with Profesor Fernando .
Unfortunately, the days were wet with much rain. For the most part, we stayed closed to the cabins ( the girls in one cabin and the boys in the other). Because we couldnt do much site seeing we spent most of our time listening to music and dancing (or watching others dance). At night we had an spectacular barbacue and invited the employees of
Paine to join us. We brought an overabundance of food. So why not share it? Its logical. Let me think, what else?...Eriks mom, Aunt Gladys, invited my host family and I to her farm in Puerto Consuelo. It is not only gigantic, but it is spectacular with acres of forestry, a running river, and a beach. It is definitely a wonder and unlike any farms I have ever known. Unfortunately, i forgot my camera. So i dont have any photos. For the rest of this month, my host family basically took trips to Punta Arenas to just walk around in the centro and Zona Franco or go to the dentist. We celebrated Christmas in the house with a huge family dinner. My friends and I went dancing in the pub while the rest of the family went to a community party. And now, here we are celebrating the New Year, New Decade, New Century, and New Milenium. The time has passed by pretty quickly. Well, its getting late. Got to go now.
Besitos para todos
Feliz Año Nuevo. Espero qué les pasan muy bein.
Qi Li
