This school field trip is getting its own blog post because we packed so much stuff into one day that trying to summarize it and cram it into the last one would be doing everyone a disservice. So buckle up because this is about to be a wild ride.
I would like to preface that before this field trip commenced, I knew a few key details.
We were going to be visiting a Chilean university, some kind of museum, a cemetery which I assumed had some kind of historical significance, then lunch would be at a mall and after all of that we were going to a recreational facility to either ice skate or use their trampoline park. Oh, and I also knew that we would be traveling to the capital of Chile, Santiago, which is about an hour away from my host city, Quillota.
Overall it sounds like an epic day right? And when all is said and done, it truly was a wonderful experience through and through, however there were a few surprises sprinkled throughout.
The first was that the college campus we visited completely specialized in medicine. Obviously this concept also exists in the United States, but for me I wasn't sure what to expect at all when we rolled up. Medical studies aren't particularly my favorite, I've always had more of an affinity for animals and plants, but I was still very excited to see what this college had to offer because how cool is it that I can compare and contrast Chilean college and U.S. colleges?
The buildings and campus corresponded with traditional Latin American architecture styles, but I could tell that they had been around for quite some time, especially when we sat down for the introductory speech and the room was filled with permanent wooden desks placed in tiered circles. I took some pictures so make sure to check that out because I'm doing a bad job explaining it right now.
This is where what I would consider my biggest surprise of the day comes in.
The gentleman giving the introduction was an anatomy professor at the college (I'm 93% certain that is what he said) and he talked a lot about the importance of studying medicine, gave a brief summary of the history, and explained what the college had to offer in terms of programs and specialties.
He mentioned a museum quite a few times, even showing us some pictures on a slideshow. Then he started talking about dead bodies.
I did not pick up on everything he was saying, but you best believe my ears perked up.
He explained how and where the university receives donations of cadavers to practice on, and then he mentioned something about how we will get to see them for ourselves shortly.
This is where I started freaking out a little bit.
I turn to the girl sitting next to me and attempt to whisper calmly. "Are we actually going to see dead bodies?"
"Well yeah" she says. "We're going to touch them too, that's why he was explaining the protocol on how to put on the medical dress"
I had no words in Spanish or in English. And I had about 15 more minutes to process that information before we went into the laboratory because we were going to tour the museum first.
After about 20 minutes checking out the museum that was composed of varying sculptures, models, and renditions of the human body, it was time to go to see the bodies.
Before we entered the space, another professor of the university talked to us about respect and how all of the bodies inside had been donated specifically for the purpose of increasing medical knowledge. There were no pictures allowed and we were to behave maturely at all times, but if we had genuine questions, feel free to ask.
Before I continue, I want to be clear that my intention with sharing this story is not to be disrespectful in any way, shape, or form. I understand fully that these are real people whose sacrifice of life is being used to help those of us still living, and that is a really beautiful thing.
I would be lying if I said I didn't have a little mental crisis when we first entered the room with the bodies.
The idea of looking and touching the flesh and bone that once housed a human conscience, with their own individual set of memories, beliefs, and values, with a family, with unique interests, and a whole life that they had lived, one that I knew nothing about. It made my head spin a little and my stomach felt funny. I stood there in shock for a few moments before I was able to fully engage with the activity.
The professor that had given us the talk about respect came around to tables one at a time and showed us in small groups where different organs and bones were located. Overall, we spent about 20 minutes in the laboratory, afterwards shedding our medical gowns and rubber gloves to head to lunch at the mall.
I'm still working through all of my feelings that pertain to this experience, but what I do know for sure is that it was something new and if nothing else I can say I went and participated.
Now believe it or not, I had actually worked up an appetite after that eventful morning. When we got to the mall I went to Carl's Jr. with my friends Gaby and Mati. I learned that this is actually a very American fast food restaurant, and after a google search I realized that there are lots of locations in the U.S.A, I had just never been to it before. It gets a 10/10 from me, my burger was delicious and I got a free drink refill.
After lunch we walked to the General Cemetery of Santiago which houses the tombs of over 2 million individuals and families. This is the cemetery where most famous Chilean historical figures are buried, like president Salvador Allende, among many others.
This was probably my favorite part of the trip because the cemetery was humongous and so peaceful, and I got to learn more about Chilean history too.
We spent probably close to an hour and a half in the cemetery and then our bus came to pick us up and take us a little ways outside of Santiago to go to the recreational park.
I opted for ice skating and had a bunch of fun. We also visited a store afterwards in the same plaza that only sells snacks from the U.S. which was kind of funny. All of my classmates were asking me what was good and what they should buy, and I joked with our professor who was the chaperone that it was exactly like home.
Unfortunately a box of cinnamon toast crunch doesn't exactly equate to my life experience in the U.S. but that's okay. I think I got a kid hooked on Butterfingers now though, so that's always good.
On the bus ride home, I was whooped. I mostly looked out the window and took in the Chilean landscape. I also dozed off a little bit but if you have ever spent any time with me you know that's a given and that I can sleep literally anywhere. We got back to school around 9pm. My host parents picked me up from there to head back home and upon arrival I literally collided with my bed and fell right back asleep.
That about sums up my Friday field trip, hopefully you enjoyed my chaotic storytelling. This week I don't have school on Friday because it's Halloween so we shall see if any exciting adventures unfold.
Eat some extra Halloween candy for me if you are reading this and appreciate the fall foliage for me because I am missing it a whole lot.
As always, sending love.
Yours,
Anna
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