As I was wandering through Villarrica in what shall heretofore be known as my “expedition suit,” which is comprised of a goretex jacket that I bought new, and goretex lined ski pants and semi-fashionable waterproof boots, both of which I bought at the “ropa americana” (used clothing) store in Santiago, I got to thinking.
Specifically about stores that claim to sell one thing, but also sell another. For example, a botonería that sells thread. But really, where else are you going to sell thread? There is no hileria, just like in Chile, there is no empanadería, these being sold at an amasandería, which means they sell kneaded things, unlike a pastelería, which sells cookies and cakes.
What about a calcetería? You’d think it would just sell socks. Not this one. This one also sells panty’s, which you can tell by the sign up top. This is a combination that-doesn’t-mean-what-you-think-it-does, where panty means tights and the apostrophe-s-as-plural so commonly found around these parts. Plus you know, Danny’s Panty’s. Has a ring to it.
In other news, I’m in the south. And the not-secret about the south is that they heat their homes. It is an incredible thing. You just, you know, wear clothes. A normal amount. I think when I finally get back to Santiago, people will find me tall, since I have not been crunched into a ball for the last week. Instead, I have been with some pets. In a house. It has been lovely.
“…”But what I like doing best is Nothing.” “How do you do Nothing?” asked Pooh, after he had wondered for a long time. “Well, it’s when people call out at you just as you’re going off to do it, What are you going to do Christopher Robin, and you say, Oh, nothing, and you go and do it.” “Oh, I see,” said Pooh. “This is a nothing sort of thing that we’re doing right now.” “Oh, I see,” said Pooh again. “It means just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear and not bothering.” “Oh!” said Pooh.”
― A.A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner
oh, I’m doing stuff, I’m just not talking about it. Housesitting, working on a book proposal, waiting for another work gig to start on Wednesday in the south south. There, I just did talk about it a little. 🙂
I try to keep up with your blogs…i love them! I am a Chilean returning to Chile and have read your stuff since before knowing I was going to be back here. I kept telling my husband (Irish) and my sons (born everywhere) that Chileans REALLY feel the cold…we have come for vacation often but they didn´t believe me until they had to deal with it themselves. Would love to meet you for coffee one day…
Sorry your people are cold, but yes, this week (plus) I’ve spent in the south has been the best week of the winter so far, and I’m sure it’s because my teeth aren’t chattering. Though I’m about to go further south, so there’s still time for me to feel the cold. As you probably know from reading my blog, I love coffee (or a piece I wrote on LAN’s only in south america about my 6 favorite coffee shops in SCL). Let me know what your schedule’s like. Meeting up sounds lovely. Hope you’re having a good winter!