Mines, volcanoes, and actual human bodies. Oh my. - by Madeline LeBlanc

Mines, volcanoes, and actual human bodies. Oh my.

My second week in Concepcion just flew by. It was a very eventful week and I can't believe that I have less than a week left. We started the week off at Josefa's dad's apartment where we watched a bunch of bad horror movies (and a few good ones). On Sunday there was a bit of a miscommunication about my wanting to go to mass and we ended up at a church at a random time in the afternoon, but it was still a great experience because the church grounds were humongous and absolutely beautiful. We drove out to see the Pacific Ocean after. I'm so used to seeing the Gulf of Mexico when I'm looking out on a body of water that it was hard to believe that I was looking out into the ocean.

 

Monday I got to go with the middle school science classes to see the Bodies exhibit during it's time here in Concepcion. The exhibit displays actual human bodies in different configurations so you can see the anatomy first hand. I was really freaked out about the fact that they were real human bodies, but also incredibly intrigued. My experience walking around followed that same pattern: freaked out but intrigued. Tuesday we went to tour the University of Concepcion, which I had already been to, but I had not yet been to the art museum that is in the front of the school. In the entrance there is one of the largest murals in the world, beautiful and full of symbolism about Latin America. It represents all Latin American countries, from Mexico to Chile, and even includes a place in the line of flags for Puerto Rico.

Wednesday our group went to Chiflón del Diablo, which translates to Whistle of the Devil. It is a coal mine that was highly important to Concepcion and is the only mine in the world to go below the ocean. The name comes from the whistling sound that sometimes comes from its natural ventilation. We went on our tour down into the mine with a miner who had worked there just like his father and grandfather before him. He explained the rough life of a miner and gave us an incredible, contemplative experience in total darkness down in the mine.

My time in the classroom this week has been minimal, but very rich. Nothing tears at my heart more than an upset child, so I ended up gravitating toward the "problem children" who were frustrated with their progress and crying into their work. The first boy had a diagnosed developmental disorder and was older than the rest of the class. He got overwhelmed by the deadlines for writing down the information and ended up frustratedly crying while trying to write. I tried to help him, but it was really difficult when he would speak to me in Spanish and I couldn't understand anything. I ended up just sitting there rubbing his back and telling him it was okay and hoping I was somehow helping him. Later in the week in the first grade class, there was a kid who was behind everyone else and crying because he didn't know how to catch up. The teachers in the class weren't paying attention to it, so I asked about him and they said he was the "problem child" and just did whatever he wanted and cried when you told him no. I went and sat by him and immediately could tell that he had extreme attention problems. He completely understood the assignment and wanted to get it done, but couldn't get himself to focus on it and felt left behind by the class. The assignment was simple enough that I could help him with my limited Spanish, and I worked to bring him back every time his mind wandered. It took us twice as long as the rest of the class, but he got the work done and was so happy afterwards. I really wish I could communicate with them better to help more. It definitely motivates me to work at my Spanish.

Some of my favorite creations from the first grade art class.

Friday was an incredible day. We packed onto a bus and drove into the Andes mountains to thermal pools on an active volcano. I never wanted to leave. I LOVE thermal pools and the view was so beautiful. The fact that we were on an active volcano was just mind blowing. They sold beer that you could enjoy while in the pools, and the altitude certainly took its effect, as we were all a bit dizzy by the time we left. I told myself that when I'm rich (HA) that I'll come back there to ski and spend a lot more time in the thermal pools. Here's hoping.