Since venturing south of the Equator, I have been...erm...making up for by Nepal weight deficit. Don't get me wrong, I am perfectly okay with this. In fact, I foresaw the weight gain and even had the sense to pack some bigger clothes. Good thing...as two pairs of my slacks no longer fit. Heh. All of the teachers at work have been commenting on my tighter pants and these remarks are usually followed up with a "high five" for my host mom. She beams every time and takes great pride in these moments of recognition.
So anyways, as I probably need to explain again, I stay in Concepción (the city that's about an hour or so away from my pueblito) on the weekends. When I arrived the other Friday, Gloria...before even saying hello, told me that my bum has gotten bigger. She also called me "gordita" in the same sentence. As I said before, I definitely needed to put on a few pounds but at the same time, it's hard not to get defensive when people keep patting my rear end and calling me "fatty." These Chileans could use a little tact...they are shameless when it comes to weight gain. They say that they are going to send me back with my new "poto chileno." I have seen my share of Chilean potos, and I most certainly have not accomplished such a feat. I have put on a little weight but they are blowing this (and me) WAY out of proportion. I keep having to remind myself that they are teasing me in an endearing way.
I have also adopted the nickname "Chanchita." Chancho is the Spanish word for "pig." Just what every girl wants to hear. They did have the decency to tack on the -ita...so at least I can take solace in the fact that I am a cute, little piggy. In all fairness, the way this flattering diminutive came to be was not entirely what you may think. Allow me to defend myself.
For the most part, Chilean meals are community-style. The majority of the time, I have no problem with this whatsoever. Double-dipping has never fazed me. However, my host father has had a nasty cold for about three weeks now. He will take a spoon jelly straight from the jar into his mouth, lick it "clean", hack a few times, and then put the same back in the jar, give it a few good stirs, and repeat the process. This ritual goes for pretty much any dish set on the table. Not wanting to get sick, I assessed the situation and developed (what I thought was) an effective strategy. Every meal, I would beat him to the table, and immediately use clean utensils to serve myself portions big enough to get me through the whole meal without having to go back for more using utensils that had been contaminated by Bernardo's saliva. This behavior, a breach in Chilean table etiquette, did not go unnoticed and started earning me comments such as, "My, someone's got a big appetite..." and most unfortunately, "our chanchita."
Needless to say, my brilliant tactic (and my immune system) failed me. The price: a nasty cold and a less-than-favorable moniker. I now answer to Meeesssss Kelsey, Gringa, and Chanchita.
So not only am I starting to sound more like a Chilean, but apparently I am starting to look like one, too. Move over, J.Lo., there's a new bum on the block (ok...that's a stretch).
P.s. There will be no pictures to accompany this entry so don't ask.
So anyways, as I probably need to explain again, I stay in Concepción (the city that's about an hour or so away from my pueblito) on the weekends. When I arrived the other Friday, Gloria...before even saying hello, told me that my bum has gotten bigger. She also called me "gordita" in the same sentence. As I said before, I definitely needed to put on a few pounds but at the same time, it's hard not to get defensive when people keep patting my rear end and calling me "fatty." These Chileans could use a little tact...they are shameless when it comes to weight gain. They say that they are going to send me back with my new "poto chileno." I have seen my share of Chilean potos, and I most certainly have not accomplished such a feat. I have put on a little weight but they are blowing this (and me) WAY out of proportion. I keep having to remind myself that they are teasing me in an endearing way.
I have also adopted the nickname "Chanchita." Chancho is the Spanish word for "pig." Just what every girl wants to hear. They did have the decency to tack on the -ita...so at least I can take solace in the fact that I am a cute, little piggy. In all fairness, the way this flattering diminutive came to be was not entirely what you may think. Allow me to defend myself.
For the most part, Chilean meals are community-style. The majority of the time, I have no problem with this whatsoever. Double-dipping has never fazed me. However, my host father has had a nasty cold for about three weeks now. He will take a spoon jelly straight from the jar into his mouth, lick it "clean", hack a few times, and then put the same back in the jar, give it a few good stirs, and repeat the process. This ritual goes for pretty much any dish set on the table. Not wanting to get sick, I assessed the situation and developed (what I thought was) an effective strategy. Every meal, I would beat him to the table, and immediately use clean utensils to serve myself portions big enough to get me through the whole meal without having to go back for more using utensils that had been contaminated by Bernardo's saliva. This behavior, a breach in Chilean table etiquette, did not go unnoticed and started earning me comments such as, "My, someone's got a big appetite..." and most unfortunately, "our chanchita."
Needless to say, my brilliant tactic (and my immune system) failed me. The price: a nasty cold and a less-than-favorable moniker. I now answer to Meeesssss Kelsey, Gringa, and Chanchita.
So not only am I starting to sound more like a Chilean, but apparently I am starting to look like one, too. Move over, J.Lo., there's a new bum on the block (ok...that's a stretch).
P.s. There will be no pictures to accompany this entry so don't ask.
So sorry about the cold, but I do require pictorial proof. I don't believe it for a second! :-)
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