Canine adrenaline

Today I woke up, went to my geography class, and caught a micro (city bus) to get to the Consultorio (clinic) where I have my internship. I arrived about fifteen minutes early, and since the Consultorio is in a different region of the city than the one I live in, I haven’t spent much time exploring there. I decided to take a walk. At the end of the street, I stopped to look around and take some photos. There was one house with about six dogs behind their fence, who had a lot of fun running around with each other and barking at me. A couple of other strays were on the street, passive as usual. I continued to view the scenery and take pictures, like this one:
I turned around and spotted a good shot. I simultaneously spotted a dog with really strange-looking eyes, but I wasn’t phased…there are dogs everywhere here. About a half-second after my photo was captured, the dog lunged with bared teeth. I was standing about two feet from its vicious jaws. I ran. Anyone who has seen me run knows this is funny (thanks, Drew). Especially funny when I’m running down a quiet neighborhood street with a dog following me, and when I’m obviously foreign. Although I felt foolish, I knew that (1) if I didn’t want rabies, I needed to move and (2) my Chilean spectators had a nice chuckle.

The picture I really wanted to take. It’s not as good as I was imagining. You can’t see the dog because I was standing so close to it; however, I think the image of its crazed eyes and sharp teeth will always be in my memory…

Dogs aside, this is Valle Nonguen! It’s less urbanized than the area where I live (note unpaved streets). I took a few more pictures, not post dog-attack, but during my lunch break. Hopefully I’ll get to go back soon and see more of the village. These are just from the streets close to the Consultorio.

The Consultorio (officially CESFAM: Centro de Salud Familiar (translates to “Family Health Center”))

The house/farm across the street from the Consultorio. I love that there are palm trees everywhere here.

Villa Nonguen is in Valle Nonguen, which is a valley (valle = valley). Hence, there are hills surrounding everything, which I really like, because it’s natural and lovely. However, if I lived in the village, I don’t think I would feel the same way…I’ve been told that winters are colder and summers are hotter due to the village’s valley location.

Peluquería = hair-cutting shop!

More hills and houses, seen over the wall of a “jardín infantil” (daycare/ child center).

That’s all for now. Just wanted to fill y’all in on my exciting adventure of the day.

Glad to be rabies-free,

Tiernan