Crack On!

Since I am flying out today I decided I better have one last 'American' breakfast, so I went up to Diamond Corner cafe for the Greek scramble (no olives). About 10 minutes after ordering I see the woman in the corner and the waiter miscommunicating about wether the plate in front of her was her salmon scramble, or, as the ticket indicated, a greek scramble (no olives) for John. He was convinced that the plate was right but the tag was wrong and went back to the kitchen - she then proceeded, yes...to take a tasty bite of MY BREAKFAST. I was irritated that I would now have to wait another 10 minutes for them to make another plate. Meanwhile he returns to her side, removes the plate and delivers her salmon fest. After disappearing behind what would turn out to be a MAGIC screen, he suddenly reappears to deliver me a steaming hot plate - Greek scramble (no olives). Wait, I think, is it possible that lurking in the kitchen was my breakfast's doppleganger, waiting to replace his spoiled twin?? But no, that is not possible. Instead it is my pre-tasted breakfast, making it's second appearance. That's when it happened - the *PFS. On the edge of deciding if I should just take it silently, pretending I had not witnessed the preceding events, or mention that the pre-tasted food items should be made anew, I thought to myself 'how are you going to survive the street vendors of Santiago, or the twice daily helpings of meat and potato stew, if you can't handle a little neighborly juice from a middle aged lady from the hood?'. Instead of staying irritated and making a deal of it, the PFS (Positive Flexible Spirit) took over, I enjoyed a delicious olive free scramble, and was back on my way.

* PFS - Positive Flexible Spirit: we were told before signing up for this trip that PFS was the #1 requirement for participation. It arose from one of Kristian's earliest Habitat Trips with Nan and Una.

Off to el aeropuerto.

PS.

I am addicted to this site...Found Magazine..it's like living archaeology...
FOUND Magazine

Greensboro First Church sends mission team to Chile: "Work in Progress- Fifty-eight trusses were built and more than 1,000 pieces of lumber were used to build the Hogar Bautista expansion."

JP: I found this reference to our 'home sweet home' in Temuco, the Baptist School for Girls.

BBC NEWS | Americas | Country profiles | Country profile: Chile: "Country profile: Chile


Chile's unusual, ribbon-like shape - 4,300 km long and on average 175 km wide - has given it a hugely varied climate.
This ranges from the world's driest desert in the north, through a Mediterranean climate in the centre, to a snow-prone Alpine climate in the south, with glaciers, fjords and lakes.
Consisting largely of people of mixed Spanish and indigenous descent, Chile is divided socially and politically, with an elite controlling much of the land and wealth. But, with one exception, it has been relatively free of the coups and arbitrary governments that have blighted the region."

Kayaking with Elsie in Northern California...not in Chile yet.. 

Well last week about 6 of us from the SF area took a Spanish Class with the learning annex to kick our Spanish into high gear. The class was fun but an eye opener...when we are challenged by a refresher of SER v ESTAR, tu sabes que necesitamos estudiar!! I have been busy gathering items for the trip...who knew chewable Pepto, tylenol PM, mosquito repellant and bandaids could cost so much! I also got the requisite pants with zip off legs (now they're shorts!) from REI...quite the fashion statement.

We will be staying at a Baptist home for girls \ conference center. It sounds like freshman year at college w co-ed dorms: our wing has shared rooms, 2 shared bathrooms, and a living room with mini kitchen. The Baptists will be feeding us a bountiful breakfast before we shuttle off on a 10 minute drive to the work site. I am gearing up for days of shoveling, mixing cement and hammering trusses (what's a truss??? lordy!)

Our group is 16, with an equal gender divide, from 26-70 or so in age, from the US mainly, a few Canadians, and a Tasmanian...sounds like a big ole Brady Bunch.

Will try to send some updates from the road. I leave in 2 weeks, but I am getting excited...During the week I keep repeating 'must focus..must work!'