-Nothing Like Good Jazz for Your Blues-

Like every summer, the Providencia Jazz Festival began last night and for 4 consecutive nights, it is the only major event in Santiago during the summer season that is without a doubt worth assisting to. This year there were some major improvements. Not only is there a more generous investment in terms of where the event takes place, but they have undoubtedly taken a leap forward and gone the extra mile in terms of the musicians they are inviting.
The opening act was a Polish band called “Pink Freud”, a group that not many of those present really knew or heard of prior to their act, nevertheless worth the time. Their psychedelic music however, perhaps is in need of some psychoanalysis, but the band let no one down. After approximately one hour and ten minutes, the band did their thing and got their well deserved credits. Perhaps one or two additional minutes on stage would have been fatal. After a 20 minute interval came the turn of the important act of the night, the star of the whole event, Jean Luc Ponty got on stage with his musicians. The crowd cheered like in a football match when he walked on stage. It couldn’t be any other way, a musician such as Ponty deserves no less. Immediately he dazzled with his music, often imitated, never duplicated. All it took was Ponty’s presence for the crowd’s immediate revival. And he performed majestically I must add, and his repertoire could have not been better. In summary, if you were not there, you have not a clue of what you missed!

CA

-CALIAGA UPDATED-

The truth? Nobody told me there would be days like these... And here's where those famous words really have a meaning, here's where they come in really handy: "Stop the world, I want to get off".

CA

-The Cycle of Love Between Father and Son-

Put your hand in mine my son said the youn man to his newborn son. Let me hold it firmly as you learn to walk. Fear not, for your tumbles would hurt me more than they could ever hurt you.
You now know how to walk my son, so walk towards and sit here by my side.
Give me some of your time and share with me your dreams. I was once your age too, and I know how much I enjoyed this same conversation with my own father so many years ago.
Share with me your fears my son, if we talk them over, we can make them disappear. Don’t let small things take a minute of your precious time my son, there are much more important things in life to worry about.
Sit here by my side my son, let me teach you how to read. I will be patient and comprehensive, later we can share a book.
I am getting old my son so remind me how to walk, for I can no longer do it without your help. My legs are getting weaker and I am slower day by day.
Read this book for me my son, for my eyes are tired and cannot see well. Your eyes will become my eyes and I rely on you now to read the paper.
Feed me like I once fed you my son. I am now fully dependant, and it is you who must care for me now. I cannot do on my own, the simple things that I once taught you.
Give me some affection my son, said the old man. The same kind I permanently offered you as a child. Make me feel worthy of your love and tell the world with pride that I am your father. Remember that it is me now who needs you, and you mustn’t put me aside. Don't turn your back on your old man now, for I have never forsaken you.

Put your hand in mine my son, said the young man to his child. Let me show you the place where your grandfather lies. He was a good man who taught me to walk, read and to love. The cycle is now complete and I must teach you to walk my little boy. Let me tell you stories about your grandfather and everything that he did for me. I promise to share my time with you, my beloved son. And we can talk for hours and dissipate your fears and troubles…

CA

-Dedicated to my father, the one I am fortunate to have by my side.

-All You Need is Love-

I was a boy when I heard the news flash. I lived in an apartment near the Columbia University district, in Manhattan, New York. It was a cold December day and the television was on when I heard the horrific news: “John Lennon has been shot dead”. At first I was sceptic, did not know how to react. I wanted to cry, but I didn’t know quite know why. After all, I had never met the man. I just knew his songs. He was not my friend, he was just a singer whose songs I loved and whose life was truly worth imitating. Sure, he was someone who had had a terrible childhood, and even so he became someone in life, someone to look up to. A peace maker, a dreamer, a lover of life, a lover of love.
What in the world could make somebody want to kill such a nice guy, that man with long hair and round glasses with the funny accent? All I knew was that some crazy guy named "mark something" had just shot John five times. Why? I still don’t understand.

The news coverage was complete. And if I close my eyes I almost see the image shown on TV, a large crowd gathered in Central Park holding candles in their hands while singing “All you need is love” with tears in their eyes. Even now, as an adult, when I remember that scene I can easily break down.

But what I really want is to offer a humble tribute a man whose life has marked mine in so many different ways. John Lennon, he inspired so many people, so many lives, including mine. I always smile when I hear my five year old son sing “All you need is love”. Yes, he's only five but he definitely knows who Johs Lennon was. And he is yet another one of the millions of admirers of the man.

John, your message of love is being spread around the world this very moment, and you are as present in our lives as you ever were.

My eternal gratitude for your contribution of love and peace on earth.

CA

-Great week ahead of me-

I arrived to the office this morning, made myself some coffee and sat in front of my computer while holding my favourite mug. Like every Monday morning, the first thing I do is open the inbox of my email and check to see if there was something of interest. Indeed there was! A good friend of mine had read my earlier post (“ I want to go ho ho home”) and wrote me a long email to tell me that I am a grade A pessimist. Now, if I didn’t know her well enough I could have said that maybe she didn’t understand the essence of my post and that she had misinterpreted it. But no, not her. I think she fully understood the mood that I was in while I wrote what I did. I think she knows me a little too well.
Not too often do I begin my week with an email on my inbox telling me to be optimistic and to live life as if there is no tomorrow. I am beginning to suspect that this week will be extraordinary and that many sudden turns such as this one will make me smile during my moments of pressure.
In case that you, my dear friend from abroad, are reading this new post… just a word of thanks for the eye opener.
CA

-I want to go ho ho home!-

December has arrived and along with it, the millions and millions of advertisements reminding you to buy everything you see. You can have it now and you can pay for it later is what they all say. Sales here, sales there, sales everywhere or at least that’s what they all say. Now, that doesn’t sound bad if you are one of those consumers that need to do your shopping for this coming Christmas. But, what if you add to that the large crowds that hurry to and fro. And if you are still not tormented by the thought, then simply remember that In Santiago the temperatures are no less than 30º in the shade. Now it is beginning to sound chaotic, huh? But wait; let me tell you that unfortunately there is more. Yes, believe it or not, it can get worst. Political campaigns everywhere. Pictures of politicians everywhere. Men and women you never even heard of have pictures everywhere. No matter where you look, there they are. Sound like total chaos in Santiago, huh. Patience my friends, there is more. Working in the heart of Santiago has some benefits, sure. But what if I told you that no matter what time I walk the streets, there is always some sort of noisy crowd, asking for your vote and putting down the other candidates. Now, picture this: you are walking to have lunch just a block away from your office, through a fully crowded street, crowd marching by your side, another crowd coming the opposite way. All of them have whistles in their mouth and wave their flags proudly. You feel the hot pavement burn the soles of your shoes. Offers here, sale there, buy anything anywhere, but do buy!
At the end of the day, you want nothing more than some peace and quiet place to sit and read the paper. No more columns of politics or politicians and their shallow promises.
Now, where in the world can I find that? I think I am moving to the north pole, as soon as I figure out where the hell it is that Santa Claus lives, just to be sure that I live on the other extreme of the pole, just in case he is a lousy neighbour.

-Wake me up in Late March Please-

I have been quite absent from my blog lately, nevertheless quite happy. Lots of changes of every single shape and size you can imagine. Yes, I have been ok. In fact, much better than ok, I have been great.
An important day is coming up in February, a date I wish not to remember. And there is a new song by Green Day called “Wake me up when September Ends” is quite applicable to February in my case. I should write a blog and name it “Don’t wake me up until March when it’s too late”. But life goes on.
So, if you don’t hear from me, or know anything about me for a while, it’s because I am asleep until late March.

-News from Paradise-

I must admit that one of the things that I enjoy most is getting some news from a good friend that you haven't heard from in a long while. It is so meaningful to read about that person's mood, health, thoughts and whatever it is, the news are always welcome. In each line they are openly expressing genuine feelings and they let you in their lives without a direct invitation. The reason that I write this is quite simple. Just today I received news of a very good friend of mine that lives in Tahiti. She is well, handling work and family simultaneously. And every time I get some sort of news from her, it's a special sort of happiness that makes my day special.

I often wonder if "lots of work" seems like such when you live in the middle of paradise. I mean, I work daily, get out past six only to find the rush hour hell right outside my building. Crowded streets, pollution, cars honking and even people in grey suits rushing as if they are late for a million dollar business meeting. At the end of the day you wish for nothing but a break and to get away from it all.

-CA

-HOLY MATRIMONY COMING THIS WAY!-

September ends, another month that slowly leaves its mark and makes its way to the back of our minds. And life seems to pass slowly, except for one thing: March! It is sneaking up on me! The special occasion is slowly coming my way, a wedding! I have been there before and I know just what can happen but I must admit that I am terribly excited. But the sole idea of "marriage" frightens me. A young blonde girl (too young from my point of view....you were expecting that, weren't you!) will bond in holy matrimony. Will this mark the end of an era and the beggining of a new one? Will things change between her and me? Will it be a happy matrimony? Will I suffer of a heartattack before the end of the ceremony? Wow, too many questions that have yet to be answered. But in the meantime, I can only patiently wait for the moment to arrive.
A new life for her, and no doubt a different life for me.

-THE CARROT AND THE STICK-

Many companies fail to perdure in time due to weak structures and foundations. There are many examples that we can name, nevertheless, for the purpose of this post, the idea is disregarded.
A business cannot be fully functional without the feeling of loyalty of its employees. Each and every one of the people that comprise that company must feel that their contribution has a direct effect upon the daily, weekly, monthly and even yearly results. They must feel that they have key funtions. However, modern companies and their management fail see that, and encourage managers fail to interact with their subordinates and do not see them as equals. Furthermore, the carrot and the stick method is still viewed as the best way to success. This not only makes the workers feel exploited to the maximum, but the workers limit their functions and do only what they are told to, do in fear of the reprisal. Imagination, contributions, ideas and criticisms to the system are simply not tolerated by those on top, when it is the workers themselves who know the core business and its weaknesses.
As long as we continue to adopt such mentality, there is little or no future at all for many companies.
-CA

-NARCISSISM AND THE DENIAL OF THE TRUE SELF-

Doctor Alexander Lowen defines "Narcissistics" as individuals who do not love themselves and thus are incapable of loving anyone else. They are too concerned about the image reflected to the external world to explore the inner-self. One of their main characteristics is their seductive and manipulative behaviour to grasp control over situations. Furthermore, according to Dr. Lowen's study, individuals who suffer of this tend to be: egotistics, focused on their own interests but lacking true values of the "self". They are more concerned about how the world views them rather than what they feel. After reading Dr. Lowen's book, not only have I opened my eyes widely to understand this cultural phenomenon, but I have also become more aware of the problem and of those around me who suffer it.
The reason I post this is quite simple; you are not aware of what you truly feel until you realise just who you are and what you truly feel.
I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who is in the path of self-awareness and may be caught in the middle of relationships that are simply not healthy.
-CA

-MY PRIVATE OASIS-

Hectic week no doubt about it. Lots of emotions, both good and bad, spinning inside my head. And there is only one way for me to cope with these things: go to my favourite place in the world, The Japanese Garden at the San Cristobal Hill, that I so love. It's in the heart of the city, yet when I am there, it feels as if all of the emotions were left at the doorstep. You walk in clean and pure of thoughts.
To feel the breeze on my face, those generous rays of sun shining on my hair when the weather is in a good mood. The peace and quiet that fills my ears, and the lovely colours spread in every corner.
There is a winding brick road at the entry and a small bamboo bridge that crosses over a small water flow from a cascade of water. If you look up, all you will see are gigantic and beautiful green trees that make any thought in your head simply vanish into thin air.
There is a bench in the right side of the garden, in which I could sit for hours, alone, thinking about the bauty of life. And I usually do. It's no surprise to find me there on the cool afternoons of the weekend just cleaning my soul, preparing it for another beating of the new coming week.

-A FATHER OF TWO AND TOO DARN PROUD-

Being a father of two beautiful children is no piece of cake. Especially if you take into account that I have been divorced for almost five years. Time seems to fly when you must make your day compatible with your work and later with your kids. It has been exhausting, nevertheless the most gratifying activity I have ever done.
I have little or no time at all for my personal life now. All the time I have on my hands I spend it with my kids as I really want them to look back to these days without any regrets. And I wish to be judged fairly by them and by all of the sacrifices I have had to deal with just to be able to hold them in my arms several times a week.
Currently, my former wife and I seem to get along better than we ever did during marriage but it is because now, we both agree on one thing: we love our children too much.
Every day, in every way, I feel that my love for both of my children has grown tremendously, and with a tremendous joy I add that that love is mutual. So deep and so strong is this love for them, that I decided to share it with each and every person who reads this post.
-CA

-LEARNING FROM MISTAKES-

Decisions. Millions and millions of decisions. Some small, some were made instantly, others however, I took ages to make. But that is what my past is comprised of, millions and millions of decisions. Some right, some wrong. But every wrong decision brought a little lesson and a little wisdom with it. There is no doubt about it, I have indeed tripped over the same rock twice before, and maybe three times, or five times, maybe even ten. But that was the cost of learning a valuable lesson, and it always quite worth the consequences.
Time has taught me to value my mistakes, to analise them carefully and most of all, to listen to those who have made similar mistakes! Not because it will help you avoid the same mistake, as you will make it! But because can learn how to get up faster after the fall. I guess you can even say that I am exited to "trip and fall" every now and then. It is life offering me a new lesson, and with gratitude I accept it and try to learn. But most of all, mistakes are a part of life and without them, learning is simply not possible.
CA

-AUTHORIZED TO REMAIN GROUNDED-

And there I was, inside the cockpit of the plane, looking at the instrument panel. And each and every word written by Richard Bach in that wonderful book "Biplane" came to mind as I sat in there! Yes, it is a privilege to have all of these indicators. Not only do they make it easier for the pilot to ensure a safe trip, but it also guarantees that, if you pay close attention to them, you will make it back to runway 19 alive and happy.

María Jesus, my fiancée, laughs at my amusement and cannot wait until we reach airspeed to take off and climb up to the sky! Santiago can be a gorgeous place if you look at it from 7500 feet above ground level. But before I actually go flying, I must take the time to inspect my aeroplane, my wings, my friend. That beatiful piece of machinery that can turn lighter than air. The usual "walk-around" procedure and we'll be up and running in no time at all. After a while I notice that, despite Maria Jeus' anxiety, I have a strange hunch about flying that day. Something is telling me to stay on the ground. And so, relying on my instict, I decide to put the flight off for a couple of days. Yes, flying is simply amusing, but as the old saying goes, "it's better to be on the ground desperately wishing that you were up in the sky, than in the sky wishing desperately that you were on the ground".

I did not fly that sunday morning, and María Jesus wanted to kill me. And I still can't figure out what was worst: having an emergency in mid-air, or having the arguement in the middle of the road. On the positive side, I lived to tell.

-IT DOES MAKE PERFECT SENSE-

If you take a moment to analyze the lyrics of Roger Water's "Perfect Sense", you will realise that, indeed, his point of view not only makes perfect sense, but it is an accurate picture of what today's world is like. A real eye-opener. I must confess, the melody is simply great, and for quite some time I had never actually paid enough attention to what the heart of his message is. Today, however, not only do I fully "understand" his lyrics, but also agree with each and every word. The world has changed, and it has changed for good, like it or not.
Man and monkey, monkey and man....Give it some thought...Anything can be justified...and worst of all...."it all makes perfect sense expressed in dollars and cents, pounds, shillings and pence"...
-CA

-LONG DISTANCE CALL PLEASE-

Operator, would you be so kind as to insist on the long distance call I am trying to make?
-Sir, we have tried several times and there is absolutely no answer. Do you wish you try yet once again?
-Yes please, it is a very important call.-
The telephone rings, and rigns, no answer.
-Operator, I think that I'll try again tomorrow. Thank you for your kindness. Have a nice day.-

I pace myself and wonder if I have the number right. And I read it outloud, and yes, it is the right number! I guess I'll try again tomorrow. I have spent over two hours trying to get through and it is clear that no one will pick up the phone, and it is way past midnight. I wake up early the next day and decide to dial once again.

-Operator, may I help you?-
-Yes, please I would like to make a ling dist...
-Are you the same gentleman who tried calling the same number last night for over two hours?-
-Y......yes, yes I am....and I would like to try once more please.-
-Just a minute sir....this call must be very important- she adds.
-Oh, you cannot imagine how important it is madam. I have a serious complaint and I must get through!-

And the phone begins to ring.....beeeep.....beeep......beeeep......beeeep......no answer. At this point I begin to get mad and frustrated and start to yell in the middle of my empty apartment with the telephone im my hand.

-Why won't he take my calls!! Why?? Too busy for me??!! Yes, everyone seems to be too busy for me lately!!!! I want to get trhough!!!!!-

Suddenly, and as I am about to hang up, a deep voice on the other side of the line says:
-Hello?
-Finally! This is Claudio!!! Why haven't you answered my calls? Is it something personal?? Why are you doing this to me, that is all I want to know. Just tell me that and I will not bother you again.-
-Claudio? Claudio who?? - This irritated me even more.
-Claudio Aliaga!!! You don't even remember me!
-Claudio? My son Claudio? I thought you had completely forgotten about me. It's been so long that I did not recognise your voice, or the number. How are you, son? I see you are in the middle of muddy waters lately, but you haven't asked me for help so I should assume you can handle it.
-Haven't asked for help? What do you mean?? I get myself into trouble and all you seem to be doing is adding more problems to my already hectic and restless life. I thought you would be there to lend a hand! If you see someone drowning, do you actually let them drown if they don't formally ask for help??-

-You see son, -He adds- that's the problem with all of My children. They all come seeking help when the going gets tough. But not many of you take a moment to thank Me for what you already have. I don't hear from you often, Claudio, unless it is a complaint, or to ask Me to change something you have done wrong without previously consulting Me, or consulting your heart. It would not kill you to say a little prayer to Me every now and then, asking me to bless others, not just yourself. All of your brothers have needs, Claudio. And some of them, as troubled as they may be, pray to Me thanking the many blessings they have in their lives. Why can't you?-
At this point I am beggining to understand many things. I guess that I have not been much of a son. I should have spent more time thanking instead of thinking, doing instead of wishing. Acting instead of criticising.
-Does that mean you won't help me any more Father? -
-Not at all son, all I ask is that you become a better man. Look around more often and you shall see that there are many that are not half as fortunate as you, and yet live their lives happily, joyfully.-
Then it hits me. Of course, how can I get help when I don't ask for it?! How can I live my life concerned about my own problems, and nothing but my very own problems, never taking the time to actually see just how fortunate I am indeed.
So I hang up the phone, I thank the holy Father for his time....and pray to Him that the telephone bill will not be too big.
-CA

-WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE A CHILD-

Here's how it works, you simply turn your head in the opposite direction and pretend not to see. Simple as that. And it has helped me live a happy life. Try it! Right there, another homeless child! Keep walking straight and when he's right by your side, side by side, simply turn your head the other way. Simple, huh? I've done it for so long that it is almost unconscious! Do it every time you see a hungry child, the homeless, the elderly, the poor, the exploited, you name it! If you don't want to see it, you don't have to!!
No, not me my friends! I sometimes wish life were that simple. That you could pretend not to see things, the crude reality that I see daily. Go ahead, switch on the late night news, it's a horror show! Just feast your eyes on what we have become. You name it, the human race has done it! Child abuse, drugs, mass destruction, racism, crooked politicians, police officers beating a man for his skin color, greed, envy, revenge, even killing in the name of God! it's all there! Just sit back and enjoy the show.

I sit there and nod my head as I am more and more aware that, perhaps our nature is wrong. We should grow up to become children, and not the other way around. But it seems that the older we get, the worst we make it for our own children. And for our children's children.

We hold the remedy to this in both of our hands. In one hand is the little jar of pills to help you pretend not to see a thing. And in the other is the freedom to chose and act! The choice to change what we feel is wrong! We have a choice. We can act now or regret later. Just don't pick the wrong jar, and for heaven's sake, grow up to be a child.

- THE SCEPTIC BELIEVER-

You can run but you can't hide from love. Haven't we all heard it before? I ask myself that as I pace myself from one side of the room to another. Once and again, in every song, in every romantic novels, television and on the radio! I sit down in my favourite chair, in the middle of the dark living room and think for a while as I stare at the ceiling.

-They say that there comes a moment in life.....no,no, wait, in fact it is a split second in life, not just a moment, but a split second, in which that special feeling forces its way into your heart, and it arrives ...not a minute too early and not a second too late... Nonsense! -
And as I sit there with, my hands tied behind my head and think about that theory, I realise that it simply does not make any sense! Not to me at least. Maybe it does to the few who have lived such experience, but to the rest of us, it is just a bunch of beautiful words carefully linked together. But me? No, I cannot believe it for a split second.

-Sceptic? Yes! And I have every reason to be! And why should I have any reason whatsoever, to believe that there is a common pattern? The answer is NO! -
-But I did feel a little something when I saw her come in. Okay, butterflyes in my stomach, but it also happens to me when I fly my airplane and take a controlled dive....so It doesn't mean a thing!- I stand up for a moment and scratch my head, as if I was soon to come up with a theory that would make Einstein look like an apprentice and Newton like a school boy. I was to prove that theory wrong! I was determined to do so! -But last night was pleasant, yes. And it is true that she did catch my eye as she walked into the crowded restaurant. Okay, but that was different! It was just a pretty face that caught my eye, it happens every day. Right? But wait...I did feel that the room go quiet as she sat down....And all I could hear was her voice! I guess that I was just paying attention.- Anyway, everything did go black and white except for her and her and her greyish sweater that was zipped up and covered her neck almost completely. That must have been the only detail that I noticed, though. Well, that and the silver rings on her fingers, two of them. But that's all, nothing else! That, and her black trousers......but that's just coincidence, Claudio, coincidence.....and stop thinking about that! ....but what about those small earings? Or her golden hair that rested on her narrow shoulders? No! I don't remember anything more! Not her black boots, not her Tommy Hilfiger mark on her sleeve! I don't. I was not paying attention!! I was simply not. And as long as I don't pay attention to every little detail of one single female, I know that my theory is simply right.

EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING TO HIDE

-Everyone has something to hide, except me and my monkey- said John Lennon once, and I believe him. His acid criticisms were aimed towards those who lived their lives according to codes previously set by society, constantly hiding true emotions and desires. If you wanted to fit in, there was no choice but to live and play by the rules. Those rules that society establishes with an unknown origin. Things are not much different today. Although we have come a long way since the days in which you had to be a cynic to survive. Much of that mentality remains. Just take a look around, politicians, movie stars and business men often contradict themselves when they find themselves in a hot spot. Wars are taking place at this very moment because someone refuses to admit that they were wrong. Children are dying because business men and presidents worldwide simply look the other way and pretend not to see. Are we so blind that we cannot see the world around us? Has mankind become numb to the awful truth? Have we become more animals and less humans? Perhaps evolution stopped somewhere along the way. Perhaps we are proving Darwin's theory right, and we are going straight back to where we come from. And maybe, just maybe that's what John Lennon meant by "me and my monkey".

-Good Coffee, a Better Conversation, and In The Best Company-

There aren't many things that I can actually name that are better than being pleasantly surprised by someone you thought you knew, but actually did not know enough. We interact with thousands of people daily, yet never even imagine just how little you know them, and just how much you can learn from them.

Little things can take a whole new meaning when surrounded by the right people. A cup of coffee for example, a smile or even sharing past experiences can be so much better when you are in the right company, sharing thoughts and even fears with someone who really does understand. The right person at the right time can make a world of a difference.

I have only known so many people in my life that I truly admire for their courage and determination. Today I have added a new name to that list. And that name today feels so different when it comes to mind. You, and only You know who you are. And through these words, I intend to say: you are stronger than I ever thought, you are so much smarter than I thought, you are so much more determined than I thought, and yet, you are so much simpler than I thought.

To that special person, only these words I offer you: Your courage has astonished me and your honesty has delighted me. What more can I say but thank you for the beggining of true friendship.

-REFLECTIONS ON A TUESDAY MORNING-

A hectic tuesday morning as always. Several errands to run and little time to do them. Running from here to there as if God himself had warned me that the world would end by noon and my acceptance to heaven depended on the number of things accomplished during that day. I walk fast to "who knows where" and think to myself -"I seldom take the time to actually see the world that surrounds me", so I decided to do so today. After all, I am part of this busy city life. And as I walk through the sidewalk of one of the city's main artery, I pass a picturesque coffee shop that has a couple of tables in the middle of the busy sidewalk, and neighbours a small plaza. A blonde woman was sitting in the sun, sipping a hot cup of coffee as she read a thick book. Just a few steps away, a cute little blonde girl played on the grass under the ocasional supervision of that blonde woman, who seemed to be her mother. The little girl knelt down on the grass. She wore a white dress, black shoes and a red coat. She played with several broken branches that were on the ground and some yellow leaves, and nothing else in the world seemed to matter to her. Her world was there and then. She took those yellow leaves with her small white hands and threw them up in the air and watched as they fell on her bright hair with a great big smile on her tiny face. For a minute there I was simply amused. Her concentration was absolute, and her blue eyes seemed to reflect the joy that only a child can feel, the kind of joy we lose as we grow old.

Traffic was awful, the air was, and always is, heavily polluted, cars honking their way through the crowded streets, and thousands of pedestrians ran from side to side, to and fro. But the little girl was living in a parallel world. Somewhere between those dry leaves and her generous imagination. Her mother raised her head from the book every few minutes or so, to check up on her, and carried on reading her novel with amusement. -How could I possibly live life in such amusement? - I thought to myself. Is it possible for a man of my age to recover the lost joy and love for life? -I doubt it - said the sceptic voice inside my head. You are far too busy with more "important" matters. -Impontant? Isn't that little girl's joy important? Could it be that with the passing of the years we change our priorities so drasticly and don't consider our youth's happiness important anymore? Has our sense of narcissism become so great that nothing else could be as important than what we chose to label as "important"? What could possibly be more important than enjoying the little life that I have left? Could there be anything more more urgent than the need to have great days to look back to and smile? To live my "here and now"?
I looked at the tip of my shoes for a moment, a bit confused I admit, as if trying to come up with some sort of rational conclusion. After all, I was debating the importance of life itself! I raise my head, look at the young girl once again and realise just how complicated I have made such a simple thing. Watching a little child play had made me question my principles, priorities and even my love for life! Just then it hits me that, in order to live a long, pleasant and joyful life, one must act more and think less!. Yes! That's it! That's the answer to my question! I must begin to live my life as children do, carelessly, no worries on my mind, just live the moment as it comes! I smile and realise that I don't even know how long I have been standing there. And then reality strikes me from out of the blue, the little girl with the white dress had accidently taught me a very valuable lesson today, and I walked away with a happy heart and a silly grin on my face, feeling like a child again.

-SANTIAGO AS I KNOW IT-

Santiago, like a needle in a haystack, lies hidden somewhere in the bottom of the globe. If Colombus would have seen it, he would have sworn it is on the verge of falling off . Santiago? Is that the name of the tribe or a culinary creation? Indeed, very few have actually taken some time to see where this long and narrow piece of land lies. Not many can claim to have actually unfolded an old and yellow map stored in the glove compartment of the old '72 Opel, stored in the garage, to pinpoint its location. Nevertheless it is here, and it is real. More than 16 million inhabitants can prove me right.
With a bit of will, and lots of imagination, you could even say we are a civilized bunch. But then again, it all depends on just what you mean by civilized. Take our streets for example. Stroll around in your car, that is if you have the insane idea of driving around the city during the broad daylight, and you shall see that we are a pretty modern and civilized nation. Just look around, I tell myself, this is as civilized as life can get! Cars honking about, pedestrians making daring attempts to cross a street and actually making it alive, buses driving in lanes exclusively designated for small vehicles, you name it! We have even adapted foreign communication codes to our daily living. Bus drivers are a good example of this. If you should dare make the slightest gesture to an angry bus driver, he shall extend his left arm, stick out his middle finger as if saying "sir, I am terribly sorry for my imprudence. I shall be more carefull in the future". Isn't that what civilization is supposed to be all about? Communicating efficiently with others? And what if you are not within distance of displaying such courtesy visually? Then the good old horn replaces the body language, with a more persuasive approach. Every honk, repeated and extended, seems to say: "Sir, I cannot view the problem from here, but through the honking of my horn I would like to express my concern. Do you have any idea of why this lane is not moving by any chance? Any information will be highly appreciated by me and those behind me. Thank you".
It doesn't take too much effort to learn these basic codes and in no time at all, you will fit in as one of us, and even come to know Santiago as I know it.

-Claudio Aliaga