Because I’ve been sick, shy, and a good shut-in I’ve been spending way too much time in my cabana, or pieza. For the time being, I don’t see anything wrong with that.

My houseparents have been questioning the healthiness of my hermitude and repeatedly asking me, “¿Cuando va a empezar tu carrete?” or “¿Vas a carretear esta noche?” (When are you going to start going out and partying?).

They’re used to hosting younger sudents, not ones that will stay home and do puzzles with them just to get to know them, their children, grandchildren and general family dynamic. I think I’ve flipped the voyeur’s lens on them and they are starting to feel uncomfortable, like they’re being judged or something (as if they don’t do that to the students).

I love making people feel justifiably uncomfortable.

In other news I found yet another Chess outlet here in Santiago: el Club de Ajedrez. Two classes, random play in la Plaza Armas, and perhaps some occaisional Santiago club tournament play should teach me something.

What I need is a good book to practice with at home. There’s no assigned reading material for class and I only brought a book of puzzles with me.