Debbie Taylor

Enumclaw School District

La Gente/The People

In Santiago: masses maneuvering along the sidewalks, well dressed, in dark colors, handsome, serious.

Carabineros: police in olive green wool, genuine, helpful, giving directions, warning us to be careful with our cameras.

On Sunday: families out together, fathers walking hand in hand with sons and daughters, women walking arm in arm, lovers entertwined on benches, kissing passionately.

In Pubs: slow to get started, between 1:00 and 4:00 am, couples dancing skillfully in perfect sync, enthusiastically, singing along to the songs they know.

In Coffee Shops: men only, served by Marilyn Monroe look alikes in next to nothing dresses.

Everywhere: students in uniforms, ties and suit jackets, hanging out, laughing, jesting.

My fondest impression of the Chilean people is the customary kiss on the cheek.

Alison Haug

Captain Gray Elementary

Pasco, WA

I held a permanent grin on my face the day Alberto, a produce merchant, stuck his baseball-capped head out his store door and yelled " Hey! Are you from the United States? Come in my store". He practiced his English with us while with great pride he peeled several of his fruits for us to sample and told us stories of his travels and his desire to learn more about the United States. His child-like exuberance and playful humor was very contagious and before too long pictures were being shared and taken and addresses exchanged. We were all laughing so loud that it attracted others on the street who sat and smiled upon the scene. At that moment I realized that "hanging out" with Alberto was where "it" was. "It" being that experience that reminds you of the elements of humanity that tie us all together-the need to dream, the need to laugh, the need to grow and to touch other people. Thank you to all the Chileans I've met !What a neat group of gente.