To fit with the melancholy mood provided this week by the cloudy and rainy days, I have been listening to more relaxing and pensive music. This has included a lot of Pink Floyd and Creedence Clearwater Revival, two of my all-time favorite classic rock bands. I also listened to The Front Bottoms, who are one of my favorite modern, folk punk bands. They are pretty great.
It may sound boring, but honestly my most fun activity from this past week was FaceTiming with two of my good friends from college, my girlfriend and my family back home in Indianapolis. This past week, I was feeling particularly homesick, perhaps because my girlfriend is back in the States after traveling around with me, and there are two months until my family comes to visit. It was wonderful to catch up with them and my friends who are off in other places. I am extremely happy and grateful to be here in Santiago, but sometimes it is necessary to spend some time with my loved ones back at home. Life abroad can be stressful, and it is good to remember that there are people back at home who love and support me.
I am currently reading the French adventure novel The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas. It tells the story of a happy young sailor who is wrongfully accused of treason and thrown into prison indefinitely. After 14 years, he escapes, and dedicates his newfound freedom to helping his former friends and enacting vengeance on those who betrayed him. Along the way, Dumas offers fantastic insight into the world of 19th century France, with all its revolutions and interesting political figures.
