For over two years I have planned a trip to Chile. It was an important trip for me for one major reason: to connect to my father's roots. My father was born and raised with a good education in Santiago, Chile till the age of 18 when he came to San Diego. He fought in Vietnam* (a green beret), met my mom in the San Diego, and had three girls. I was the youngest. That was what I knew of my dad.
That wasn't everything. I understood Spanish fluently but spoke broken Spanish. I ate not just Hispanic food but 'different' food that my friends didn't know or like. That food was empanadas, tomato salad, and pastel de choclo. My parents were conservative and we did a lot together as a family including sports, camping, and traveling. Family was first; that I knew.
In March 2012, I went to Chile for the first time with my parents leaving my three girls in San Diego carefully watched by dear friends and my sisters. For a mother, this is a big sacrifice. As a daughter, it was a rite.
The trip filled in holes of my past and of my distant memories created new love and appreciation for my family and heritage. I had a valuable and unique time with my parents, met wonderful people along the way, and reunited with family.
Being an outdoor coach comes not just from my energy and passion for moving fast. It comes from connecting with nature, the people, and the food of the land.
Loving Life!
Chi
*correction: my dad clarified his status in the war - "I was trained by the Special Forces (Green Beret) and Rangers, and I became an Army Intelligent in Jungle Warefare, and i was assigned to an elite unit, The 11th Air Assault Division". Now I know a little bit more.
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