by Dylan Kelemen
It was June 3 when we arrived in this beautiful smog-filled city with many adventures to be had and shared. First, we saw the Andes, like guardians watching over the city. Then, we saw the smog. It was like San Francisco fog, but it was brown and looming over the city like a gigantic blanket. And this was only from the airplane.
Once out of the airport, with our 18 bags and boxes, we split up to get everything into two taxis and get to our rented apartment. My dad and I were in a cab together, and soon enough, with the driver involved reluctantly, (saying “the 3 things a cab driver can’t talk about in the taxi are religion, politics and soccer because everyone has very strong opinions about each of those things”) the conversation turned to soccer. With the final of the Copa America coming fast, EVERYONE was excited. We saw too many flags to count on our drive from the airport to the apartment.
The first day was pretty uneventful, but on July 4th, we went to the zoo (more on that later from Adela) and got ready to for “La Final” as the excitement level grew from big to enormous in the whole city (and the whole country). As we came out of the metro from the zoo, we passed the Escuela Militar and headed to an apartment of one of my dad’s friends to watch the game with his family and other friends.
The Game. La Final. Those are the only four words that I will say.
Our friend Gonzalo, who’s flat is above one of the most busy streets in the city, looked over his balcony once the game had started and told us that the streets where EMPTY. We watched the game anxiously cheering for all of Chile’s chances, and cringing when Argentina had the ball anywhere close to Chile’s goal. After an uneventful 90 minutes, the chances started to come, both teams pressing hard for the winning goal that never came. Then came the penalties. We waited as Chile started off the penalty shootout with an unstoppable shot to the top left corner of the goal. Then Messi, the best player in the world, put his penalty in the back of the net. Once that penalty was taken, it was all Chile. They made their next three shots while Argentina missed all of theirs, making Chile the champion of the Copa América.
First impression from Matt: As the Chileans say, “es complejo.” Whether it’s finding just the right school or keeping up with political developments, things are fluid, uncertain, complex. Apparently, that’s the Chilean way.
First impression from Jeannette: I’ve been delighted to rediscover what I loved about Chile fifteen years ago when Matt and I were here on our honeymoon and grateful to be connecting with wonderful people and opportunities in education where so much upheaval is underway.
First impression from Adela: It still hasn’t dawned on me that we’ve moved. To me, it still feels like a vacation. I’m taking lots of pictures and we are visiting monuments just tourists would do. I think as I start school, I’ll start to realize, “Oh, we’re staying here.”