I'm delighted to continue a tradition I began on my European Adventure, collecting quotes from people in my travels. As I did then I'll be attaching trigger pictures associated with the moment and person attributed to the notable phrase. I hope by the end of my trip these will largely be collected through Spanish conversation. In these early stages my interactions have mostly been with other travelers as I'm limited by English.
I also hoped to record some of my conversations for my 'LGR Podcast' but an organic opportunity has yet to present itself. For some reason I'm picturing Mountaintop chats after a nice hike but Chile has been a little too cold and rainy for that in the early going. I remain optimistic.
Mi primera compilación de citas en América del Sur. With that I present my first compilation of quotations for South America: Chile Edition.
Its lost in translation but there is a big difference between "want" and "need"
If you regret not doing it because I told you not to, I wouldn't accept the blame.
You can't regret what you don't see
"Que no panda el cúnico"
(Spanish: Let no panic emerge)
"Tienes una piedra en el zapato"
(Spanish: You have a stone in your shoe = You're compelled to)
I'd heard my friend's voice for 3 months,
then all of a sudden one day - I understood him
At a certain age you need discipline
For some people, having an uncluttered house is the least of their priorities
He's more of a concept than a person
The beauty isn't in the fame, its in the process of creation
Learning another language isn't just about replacing words,
its another way of looking at the world.
Just like in my European Adventure I'll be compiling my trigger songs for South America.
VIDEO: 'Los Jaivas en Machu Picchu ( Grabación Oficial)' by Los Jaivas
This epic number was playing in a Beatles inspired bar in Santa Isabel called 'Pepperland'. I was drawn in by the "Yellow Submarine" style art from the outside, so our merry band came in for pizza and cerveza. The walls were wheatpasted with street press and the bar played music videos from the Chilli Peppers to George Harrison. They introduced us to a few Latin American songs including this Pink Floyd-eqsue production by Chilean band Los Jaivas.
'Latinoamérica' by Calle 13
This song was introduced to me by a German running mate in my first South American hostel. It was recommended to him as one of the most popular bands in Argentina. It appealed to him as it contained a montage of the things he had experienced on his 8 month journey, when he first heard it he didn't understand the Spanish lyrics but now he did. He advised not to refer to the song again till the end of my trip, "not even in the middle". I thought the same.
I did hear the song the following day.
After moving hostels to a posher barrio, I stumbled onto a Universidad that had been occupied by activists. They were hosting a festival with dancing and music. The place boarded up by school chairs, tagged with graffiti and adorned in banners. Even the murals were appropriated, one was painted with shamans and an ayahuasca vine. Another with a kid student kicking her teacher in the nuts. I was later told that many Academic institutions had been occupied for months, with classes suspended or continued online as students made their point during this crucial election year. This Calle 13 joint blared from the stereo at one point.
Its my fifth day in Santiago, Chile. The start of my South American adventure. Truth be told theres's been a weird energy from the start as I negotiate through the language barrier and the existential danger that comes with this region of the world. Most of it is a creation of the mind and one I hope to overcome.
There is a considerable lack of English but I'm encouraged by running mates who have been on this journey months longer than me who have grasped the language just by immersion and some cursory training. With the right mindset and focus I hope to do the same. I have no choice really as it has a direct effect on my quality of life. The other issue is "Dread", there are constant tales of muggings and petty theft. Some of it from experience though the majority of it is hype. Its like incessant talk of weather, its a real concern and factors into your movements but you wish you could move on to more interesting topics. Makes you appreciate how comfortable it is at home and how good we have it in Australia.
One of my comforts has been to rediscover some of the mojo I had for the European trip. I enjoy finding subcultures when I visit places, I find it connects me to the place and its people. It allows me to imagine growing up there. It also solves the language and danger problem as being around your kin alleviates so much tension. I found a Jazz Bar in Santa Isabel that was standing room only. The fact the bouncer couldn't understand me seemed to work in my favor, he spent most of the night shoo-ing people away but he inexplicably let me in. The night featured Cristián Cuturrufo, Chile's most acclaimed jazzman.
I found a compromise for communicating with locals and one I'll be adopting till I master the language. Instead of reaching an impasse after asking "Habla Inglés" and inevitably getting a "no". My second gambit is to insist I speak in terrible Spanglish whilst they continue talking Spanish.
My next Adventure will be a jaunt around South America with a projected return after 6 months. Dubbed the "F*Yesta" it will be a continuation of the YesMan spirit that carried me through the last few years in Australia and Europe. Whilst over there I'll be musing on my travels, finding Basketball experiences and recording podcasts.
For me, the best part of traveling are the hints of possibility. You visit plenty of places and form so many bonds that you can't help but imagine new realities. "I could live here", "I've made lifelong friends", "I've found the one". While these thoughts seem certain for a time, they're often fleeting. Constantly replaced by new prospects.
I explained this epiphany to a literary running mate in Florence, "If every new experience is a dream. The one I never wake from must be my life". In the coming days I would score an extended stay in Italy through hostel mafia connects. My weeks during Carnevale were spent shepherding tourists and couriering furniture through the labyrinth of Venice. In reality most of my days were spent torturously waiting. It was in this period that I wrote poems, the end of my first month in my yearlong EuroTrip. The only time I was compelled to.
I feel this was because it was early in my trip and I was enamored by the potential that lay ahead of me. As the synchronicities piled up and the stories came and went, the wonder and investment diminished. The experiences remained great but as often in life it became about chasing that original high (or maybe just chasing the next one?)
Jesse (Ethan Hawke) with an offer Celine (Julie Delpy) can't refuse
Before Sunrise (1995)
Jesse: Alright, alright. Think of it like this: jump ahead, ten, twenty years, okay, and you're married. Only your marriage doesn't have that same energy that it used to have, y'know. You start to blame your husband. You start to think about all those guys you've met in your life and what might have happened if you'd picked up with one of them, right? Well, I'm one of those guys. That's me y'know, so think of this as time travel, from then, to now, to find out what you're missing out on...
Like most of my favorite things, I stumbled onto 'Before Sunrise'. It was the midday movie during a university off-day. I was compelled by this quote in the opening scene and I've been a big Linklater fan ever since. I told everyone about the movie and gave several VHS tapes as gifts. Several years later there were rumours of a sequel born from its cult following and affection for the characters. I watched the Premiere at the Dendy Quays with my then girlfriend and cousin.
The first movie will always be the most uplifting as it captures the promise of youth, each subsequent movie can only get darker as it mirrors the cynicism and weight that comes with age and experience. Whilst 'Before Sunrise' pondered a canvas of possibility, 'Before Sunset' contemplates a filled page. The oppression of history. I'm bracing myself for what 'Before Midnight' has in store. I'm lucky to have discovered the movie the way I did, the anticipation for the films mimics the distance Jesse and Celine have apart. In the intervening time (9yrs between each), viewers would have accumulated their own life experience which will inform their perspective of life and love as they revisit these characters.
To me the movies are about the magic of wonder and how it's important to appreciate the life that is rather than an ideal that's never been. You caution from extrapolating an existence based on "One Fine Day" whilst hoping life could be just that. This was the closing stanza of my first poem in Venezia.
A poem in two parts. ''Travel = Movement/Time'' by Loz in Transit
...
To live well one should enjoy the wonder of each moment.
For like a bubble, trying to contain it would be the surest way to lose it.
Over time, our moments become memories.
And longer still our memories turn into madness.
VIDEO: 'Before Midnight' (2013) Official Trailer
I've avoided the trailer and any spoilers which should be no surprise.
'Before Midnight', the beloved trilogy finale will be screening at the State Theatre, 9:30pm June 8 as part of the Sydney Film Festival Program.
During my year abroad having the time of my life I often wondered "Is it possible to have too much of a good thing?" I tend to believe so. I'm the type of person who doesn't like to repeat myself. I prefer variety. Perhaps its why I'm drawn to ego-tripping, I even tire of my own passions and am curious to explore other personas.
I enjoy adapting into situations temporarily, curious to see how it fits. I recently returned from a 6 day roadtrip to Melbourne to indulge in the International Comedy Festival. The drawcard, seeing comedian Pete Holmes who I've referenced several times on this blog. I traveled with a good punk rock friend, him being a vegan I decided I'd also be vegan for the duration of the trip. It was an easily managed feat as Melbourne is well served with plant-based options.
For those who've never been to Australia, Sydney is largely known for its landmarks and beaches whilst Melbourne is known for its culture and arts. Sydney, the blonde beach babe. Melbourne, the indie kid. Both have their appeals but I tend to gravitate towards Melbourne in personality despite living in Sydney. Melbourne is dotted with interesting art, trendy stores and progressive businesses. It's essentially Australia's own 'Portlandia'. A place where the niche is mainstream, where subcultures are fostered - an alternative utopia.
VIDEO: Portlandia - Is it local?
As for the comedy, it was great but also instructive. I watch a lot of comedy as it is back home in Sydney. Roughly 5 shows a month, its a cheap and enjoyable source of entertainment for a shiftworker like myself. Coupled with my diet of podcasts, I'm used to a lot of comedy. That said, in a festival environment you're really binge eating and as I found out on the last night you can hit a wall where you become numb to even your favourite thing. You start comparing the acts unfairly, frighteningly the novelty erodes . Its something I have to be mindful of for my 30HomeGames mission, lest I suck the love out of my other passions. Variety is key :)
Below is a catalogue of the food eaten and the comedy sampled:
Sea Shepherd in Port, Williamstown Melbourne
Sea Shepherd Free Ship Tours: SSS Steve Irwin, SSS Sam Simon, SSS Bob Barker
Comedy (Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2013) Dave Bloustein: Grand Guignol Headliners - Pete Holmes, Michael Che, Eddie Pepitone and James Adomian, Brendon Walsh, Jessica Kirson The Little Dum Dum Club live - Tom Gleeson, Luke McGregor, Nick Cody, Set List: Stand-up without a net - Lindsay Webb, DeAnne Smith, Simon Munnery, Asher Treleaven, The Pajama Men Luke McGregor: My Soulmate is out of my League Blake Mitchell: Play Date
