Jesus Camp

While I do have lots to say about Santiago and volunteers and all of that, I'm going to take this opportunity to say that I saw a FANTASTIC documentary that I apparently missed last summer (not so much with the documentaries in Chile, se supone). During a spirited discussion of everyone's camp experiences during last weekend's jornada, the movie Jesus Camp came up. It was my fault, as I refer to my own camp experience with those words. At first I thought that it was a movie about kids like me, who went to pseudo-religious/bible camps. Well, I wasn't prepared for what I saw at all. If not only for the image of a pre-disgraced Ted Haggard, this movie is alarming, and wonderful. Put it on your NetFlix list...and enjoy.

All By Myself

Ok, not really. I'm working in this hostel now, and for the first time since I started they've actually left me alone. Usually, the owner or one of the other worker bees (most of whom also live here) buzz buzz buzz around me all day, looking over my shoulder and asking me what I'm doing as I'm doing it. Might sound annoying, but it actually means I have very little to do throughout the day, as people inevitably do my work for me.

Less than halfway through my 9 hour shift I'm giving advice, washing sheets and smiling. I'm making it a point to smile all the time because, as I've been told many times this week, my face gives my emotions away. And it bugs people.

The hostel is therapy. The people hilarious. An drunk Irishman, screaming at me in half-spanish to make the remote work so that he can watch Scrubs, is just what anyone needs in their life. Three dogs (two little salchichos) running and yapping around while the Carabineros play pool, wildly entertaining.

And, I get to tell people what to do ALL day. Can I do my laundry? No. Should I buy bootleg DVDs? yes. Is it ok to have sex in my room while there are other people in it? I'm sorry, I'm going to have to ask you to leave.

Perhaps this is my true calling. Everyone has to listen. To me.