Mya’s notebook is I don’t know how much of the plot you want to give away but I
of the plot you want to give away but I
of the plot you want to give away but I think I can summarize that the main
think I can summarize that the main
think I can summarize that the main character is a very troubled young woman
character is a very troubled young woman
character is a very troubled young woman with a very difficult past who flees the
with a very difficult past who flees the
with a very difficult past who flees the United States to go live on a remote
United States to go live on a remote
United States to go live on a remote island off the coast of mainland Chile
island off the coast of mainland Chile
island off the coast of mainland Chile called chill away and I’m wondering
called chill away and I’m wondering
called chill away and I’m wondering where did this story and the characters
where did this story and the characters
where did this story and the characters come from at the time all my
come from at the time all my
come from at the time all my grandchildren my four grandchildren and
grandchildren my four grandchildren and
grandchildren my four grandchildren and their friends really have six because uh
their friends really have six because uh
their friends really have six because uh two more that that are like mine they
two more that that are like mine they
two more that that are like mine they all were teenagers and we I saw the
all were teenagers and we I saw the
all were teenagers and we I saw the parents trying to protect them from all
parents trying to protect them from all
parents trying to protect them from all the dangers that they were exposed and
the dangers that they were exposed and
the dangers that they were exposed and all the horrible things that could
all the horrible things that could
all the horrible things that could happen to them how can you protect them
happen to them how can you protect them
happen to them how can you protect them from all that and as a grandmother I was
from all that and as a grandmother I was
from all that and as a grandmother I was always very close to my grandchildren
always very close to my grandchildren
always very close to my grandchildren saw them practically every day so I I
saw them practically every day so I I
saw them practically every day so I I was scared especially with my youngest
was scared especially with my youngest
was scared especially with my youngest granddaughter Nicole who are 15 look
granddaughter Nicole who are 15 look
granddaughter Nicole who are 15 look like Jennifer Lopez but had the brain of
like Jennifer Lopez but had the brain of
like Jennifer Lopez but had the brain of an 8-year old boyfriend from hell
an 8-year old boyfriend from hell
an 8-year old boyfriend from hell so this is what happens to Maya Maya
so this is what happens to Maya Maya
so this is what happens to Maya Maya this gorgeous girl who is athletic and a
this gorgeous girl who is athletic and a
this gorgeous girl who is athletic and a good student when the grandfather dies
good student when the grandfather dies
good student when the grandfather dies she loses it the grandmother goes into a
she loses it the grandmother goes into a
she loses it the grandmother goes into a depression and she starts a spiral of
depression and she starts a spiral of
depression and she starts a spiral of petty theft but alcohol and then it gets
petty theft but alcohol and then it gets
petty theft but alcohol and then it gets worse and worse eventually she runs away
worse and worse eventually she runs away
worse and worse eventually she runs away from home
from home
from home and ends up recruited by gangsters in
and ends up recruited by gangsters in
and ends up recruited by gangsters in Las Vegas where they are drug dealers
Las Vegas where they are drug dealers
Las Vegas where they are drug dealers and criminals and I the grandmother
and criminals and I the grandmother
and criminals and I the grandmother since Maya to chiloe the southern part
since Maya to chiloe the southern part
since Maya to chiloe the southern part of Chile when there’s an archipelago
of Chile when there’s an archipelago
of Chile when there’s an archipelago with many many islands a big island and
with many many islands a big island and
with many many islands a big island and many small islands where I researched
many small islands where I researched
many small islands where I researched and I found the perfect Island it’s not
and I found the perfect Island it’s not
and I found the perfect Island it’s not paradise at all but it’s the island that
paradise at all but it’s the island that
paradise at all but it’s the island that she needs a place where there’s a small
she needs a place where there’s a small
she needs a place where there’s a small community of a few people who live off
community of a few people who live off
community of a few people who live off the land or of the sea and they embrace
the land or of the sea and they embrace
the land or of the sea and they embrace her but they teach her them in the first
her but they teach her them in the first
her but they teach her them in the first week she learns the first law of nature
week she learns the first law of nature
week she learns the first law of nature the law of reciprocity that you have to
the law of reciprocity that you have to
the law of reciprocity that you have to give as much as you take which he had
give as much as you take which he had
give as much as you take which he had never it never had never occurred to her
never it never had never occurred to her
never it never had never occurred to her and I say this because I see my
and I say this because I see my
and I say this because I see my grandchildren
grandchildren
grandchildren they are totally entitled to everything
they are totally entitled to everything
they are totally entitled to everything they have they don’t think they have to
they have they don’t think they have to
they have they don’t think they have to give anything back and so she learns
give anything back and so she learns
give anything back and so she learns that and she gets involved with the
that and she gets involved with the
that and she gets involved with the community
community
community she’s disconnected from all the
she’s disconnected from all the
she’s disconnected from all the technology because if she gets in the
technology because if she gets in the
technology because if she gets in the internet they will find her and so she’s
internet they will find her and so she’s
internet they will find her and so she’s disconnected and for the first time in
disconnected and for the first time in
disconnected and for the first time in her life she has no ear phones no phone
her life she has no ear phones no phone
her life she has no ear phones no phone she has time to be bored to write a
she has time to be bored to write a
she has time to be bored to write a notebook this is the notebook so the
notebook this is the notebook so the
notebook this is the notebook so the story goes from what happened to her
story goes from what happened to her
story goes from what happened to her before that she’s telling in the book in
before that she’s telling in the book in
before that she’s telling in the book in a notebook and what’s happening in the
a notebook and what’s happening in the
a notebook and what’s happening in the island at that time so how did you first
island at that time so how did you first
island at that time so how did you first stumble upon kill away I knew the place
stumble upon kill away I knew the place
stumble upon kill away I knew the place and I knew that it would be the perfect
and I knew that it would be the perfect
and I knew that it would be the perfect contrast with Vegas a safe place to take
contrast with Vegas a safe place to take
contrast with Vegas a safe place to take her and I also wanted to get back in
her and I also wanted to get back in
her and I also wanted to get back in touch with the Chilean roots because
touch with the Chilean roots because
touch with the Chilean roots because there is a mystery in her family the
there is a mystery in her family the
there is a mystery in her family the book has the structure of a crime novel
book has the structure of a crime novel
book has the structure of a crime novel with suspense and is she going to be
with suspense and is she going to be
with suspense and is she going to be found by the end her enemies or not
found by the end her enemies or not
found by the end her enemies or not what’s going to happen to her and there
what’s going to happen to her and there
what’s going to happen to her and there is a mystery in her family and there is
is a mystery in her family and there is
is a mystery in her family and there is a mystery in the country she goes to a
a mystery in the country she goes to a
a mystery in the country she goes to a country where which is very different
country where which is very different
country where which is very different from what she was used to where people
from what she was used to where people
from what she was used to where people don’t talk about certain things the
don’t talk about certain things the
don’t talk about certain things the scars and the wounds of the dictatorship
scars and the wounds of the dictatorship
scars and the wounds of the dictatorship are still there for many many people but
are still there for many many people but
are still there for many many people but people don’t talk about it and for young
people don’t talk about it and for young
people don’t talk about it and for young people it’s old history it has nothing
people it’s old history it has nothing
people it’s old history it has nothing to do with them it doesn’t concern them
to do with them it doesn’t concern them
to do with them it doesn’t concern them at all but I believe that as a people we
at all but I believe that as a people we
at all but I believe that as a people we need to look at our past in order not to
need to look at our past in order not to
need to look at our past in order not to make the same mistakes and this is what
make the same mistakes and this is what
make the same mistakes and this is what the Jewish people has has done so well
the Jewish people has has done so well
the Jewish people has has done so well by keeping alive the Holocaust and they
by keeping alive the Holocaust and they
by keeping alive the Holocaust and they have kept it alive and I think that it
have kept it alive and I think that it
have kept it alive and I think that it is very important that we remember what
is very important that we remember what
is very important that we remember what we’ve done reading the book I thought
we’ve done reading the book I thought
we’ve done reading the book I thought that part of your mission was to be an
that part of your mission was to be an
that part of your mission was to be an educator no I’m pleased no no
educator no I’m pleased no no
educator no I’m pleased no no responsibility I’m not accountable for
responsibility I’m not accountable for
responsibility I’m not accountable for anything here and I don’t try to deliver
anything here and I don’t try to deliver
anything here and I don’t try to deliver a message as you teach anything I just
a message as you teach anything I just
a message as you teach anything I just yeah tell what I know
yeah tell what I know
yeah tell what I know where I have been the experiences I have
where I have been the experiences I have
where I have been the experiences I have had interesting because there’s a lot of
had interesting because there’s a lot of
had interesting because there’s a lot of history that as you were saying people
history that as you were saying people
history that as you were saying people aren’t really aware of and you do go
aren’t really aware of and you do go
aren’t really aware of and you do go into that in some depth and I think it’s
into that in some depth and I think it’s
into that in some depth and I think it’s very very important as you say for
very very important as you say for
very very important as you say for people to be aware of that especially
people to be aware of that especially
people to be aware of that especially young people and I also felt that Maya
young people and I also felt that Maya
young people and I also felt that Maya is a very important character she
is a very important character she
is a very important character she descends into kind of depravity of
descends into kind of depravity of
descends into kind of depravity of there’s almost unimaginable to people
there’s almost unimaginable to people
there’s almost unimaginable to people and it’s important that we are aware
and it’s important that we are aware
and it’s important that we are aware that there are people out there who are
that there are people out there who are
that there are people out there who are so leave that kinds of knives and it
so leave that kinds of knives and it
so leave that kinds of knives and it could be your kids my kids I mean it we
could be your kids my kids I mean it we
could be your kids my kids I mean it we are not talking about homeless people
are not talking about homeless people
are not talking about homeless people only way it can happen to any kid and
only way it can happen to any kid and
only way it can happen to any kid and all the part about addiction in in in
all the part about addiction in in in
all the part about addiction in in in the book that Maya suffers I did not
the book that Maya suffers I did not
the book that Maya suffers I did not have to research it
have to research it
have to research it I have lived it in my family my my three
I have lived it in my family my my three
I have lived it in my family my my three stepchildren
stepchildren
stepchildren are addicted two of them have already
are addicted two of them have already
are addicted two of them have already died
died
died of drug-related causes one of them died
of drug-related causes one of them died
of drug-related causes one of them died four weeks ago he was 35 years old and
four weeks ago he was 35 years old and
four weeks ago he was 35 years old and we thought he wasn’t recovering but the
we thought he wasn’t recovering but the
we thought he wasn’t recovering but the demon of addiction is lurking you know
demon of addiction is lurking you know
demon of addiction is lurking you know and when you think that everything is
and when you think that everything is
and when you think that everything is fine it hits you again I was wondering
fine it hits you again I was wondering
fine it hits you again I was wondering as I read the book if it was very very
as I read the book if it was very very
as I read the book if it was very very painful to you to write some it was it
painful to you to write some it was it
painful to you to write some it was it was painful to write about my in some
was painful to write about my in some
was painful to write about my in some places I don’t go into specifics for
places I don’t go into specifics for
places I don’t go into specifics for example if I write about torture
example if I write about torture
example if I write about torture I don’t describe the torture I I create
I don’t describe the torture I I create
I don’t describe the torture I I create the atmosphere of fear but I don’t
the atmosphere of fear but I don’t
the atmosphere of fear but I don’t describe it because it’s too painful on
describe it because it’s too painful on
describe it because it’s too painful on the other hand if there’s an erotic
the other hand if there’s an erotic
the other hand if there’s an erotic scene I describe it to the detail
scene I describe it to the detail
scene I describe it to the detail because in that sense I really want
because in that sense I really want
because in that sense I really want people to learn right I took notes on
people to learn right I took notes on
people to learn right I took notes on that see I reread that scene many times
that see I reread that scene many times
that see I reread that scene many times because I wanted this you know there’s a
because I wanted this you know there’s a
because I wanted this you know there’s a new book that came out in Spanish called
new book that came out in Spanish called
new book that came out in Spanish called Ahmad and it’s there all the all the sex
Ahmad and it’s there all the all the sex
Ahmad and it’s there all the all the sex and love scenes of my books put together
and love scenes of my books put together
and love scenes of my books put together it’s like an ecology of whatever and my
it’s like an ecology of whatever and my
it’s like an ecology of whatever and my mother was horrified absolutely out of
mother was horrified absolutely out of
mother was horrified absolutely out of context it sounds pretty bad and and
context it sounds pretty bad and and
context it sounds pretty bad and and it’s very successful people want to hear
it’s very successful people want to hear
it’s very successful people want to hear about that
about that
about that imagine that
I’m thinking New York Times bestseller
I’m thinking New York Times bestseller this problem so I wanted to ask you kind
this problem so I wanted to ask you kind
this problem so I wanted to ask you kind of broke more broadly speaking what’s
of broke more broadly speaking what’s
of broke more broadly speaking what’s the purpose of fiction for you why do
the purpose of fiction for you why do
the purpose of fiction for you why do you why do you keep writing fiction well
you why do you keep writing fiction well
you why do you keep writing fiction well because I like to tell stories that I
because I like to tell stories that I
because I like to tell stories that I like to hear stories I think that
like to hear stories I think that
like to hear stories I think that stories connect us in a story we find
stories connect us in a story we find
stories connect us in a story we find that another person has experienced who
that another person has experienced who
that another person has experienced who what we have experienced or we connect I
what we have experienced or we connect I
what we have experienced or we connect I think that the the first form of
think that the the first form of
think that the the first form of communication was probably music rhythm
communication was probably music rhythm
communication was probably music rhythm and then as soon as we learned to speak
and then as soon as we learned to speak
and then as soon as we learned to speak it was storytelling we were in ancient
it was storytelling we were in ancient
it was storytelling we were in ancient times you couldn’t write but we could
times you couldn’t write but we could
times you couldn’t write but we could tell stories and pass knowledge from one
tell stories and pass knowledge from one
tell stories and pass knowledge from one generation to another by repeating the
generation to another by repeating the
generation to another by repeating the same stories that become myths and
same stories that become myths and
same stories that become myths and they’re the same myths everywhere and
they’re the same myths everywhere and
they’re the same myths everywhere and and it’s the same idea of how the world
and it’s the same idea of how the world
and it’s the same idea of how the world was formed and and how we come to be who
was formed and and how we come to be who
was formed and and how we come to be who we are so I think that that’s the whole
we are so I think that that’s the whole
we are so I think that that’s the whole purpose of stories connect us and create
purpose of stories connect us and create
purpose of stories connect us and create is this sort of collective unconscious
is this sort of collective unconscious
is this sort of collective unconscious where we are all the same we are all
where we are all the same we are all
where we are all the same we are all brothers or sisters that’s beautiful
brothers or sisters that’s beautiful
brothers or sisters that’s beautiful that’s great
that’s great
that’s great did you so you began life as a writer I
did you so you began life as a writer I
did you so you began life as a writer I think writing nonfiction well you were a
think writing nonfiction well you were a
think writing nonfiction well you were a journal well it was featuring in my case
journal well it was featuring in my case
journal well it was featuring in my case I was a lousy journalist okay so if I
I was a lousy journalist okay so if I
I was a lousy journalist okay so if I didn’t have a story I wouldn’t make it
didn’t have a story I wouldn’t make it
didn’t have a story I wouldn’t make it up excellent it’s a model we all should
up excellent it’s a model we all should
up excellent it’s a model we all should follow it
follow it
follow it when you began really giving yourself to
when you began really giving yourself to
when you began really giving yourself to writing fiction did a transformation
writing fiction did a transformation
writing fiction did a transformation occur in you as a writer was it
occur in you as a writer was it
occur in you as a writer was it liberating it was a person as a pretty
liberating it was a person as a pretty
liberating it was a person as a pretty thing that when when I wrote the house
thing that when when I wrote the house
thing that when when I wrote the house of the spirits I put down in those pages
of the spirits I put down in those pages
of the spirits I put down in those pages everything that mattered to me they
everything that mattered to me they
everything that mattered to me they passed the country I had lost my family
passed the country I had lost my family
passed the country I had lost my family my grandfather the stories he had told
my grandfather the stories he had told
my grandfather the stories he had told me the the wonderful creature that my
me the the wonderful creature that my
me the the wonderful creature that my grandmother was everything was in that
grandmother was everything was in that
grandmother was everything was in that book it shows the world Who I am
book it shows the world Who I am
book it shows the world Who I am from where I come what is my country
from where I come what is my country
from where I come what is my country everything everything is contained there
everything everything is contained there
everything everything is contained there so it it’s entered me it gave me a voice
so it it’s entered me it gave me a voice
so it it’s entered me it gave me a voice and it gave me I was 40 years old when I
and it gave me I was 40 years old when I
and it gave me I was 40 years old when I wrote the book I felt that my life was a
wrote the book I felt that my life was a
wrote the book I felt that my life was a failure that I was going nowhere I was
failure that I was going nowhere I was
failure that I was going nowhere I was living in exile my marriage was was a
living in exile my marriage was was a
living in exile my marriage was was a disaster my my grandma my children were
disaster my my grandma my children were
disaster my my grandma my children were going to the University and leaving home
going to the University and leaving home
going to the University and leaving home so there was you know that feeling that
so there was you know that feeling that
so there was you know that feeling that what am I going to do with the rest of
what am I going to do with the rest of
what am I going to do with the rest of my life if there is a rest of my life
my life if there is a rest of my life
my life if there is a rest of my life and then the house of the spirits and
and then the house of the spirits and
and then the house of the spirits and I’m writing just opened a door into
I’m writing just opened a door into
I’m writing just opened a door into another space and I am another person
another space and I am another person
another space and I am another person that’s great every time you begin a new
that’s great every time you begin a new
that’s great every time you begin a new book does that door kind of open again
book does that door kind of open again
book does that door kind of open again with fear with fear because every book
with fear with fear because every book
with fear with fear because every book is a new adventure I write very
is a new adventure I write very
is a new adventure I write very different books and I’ve tackled
different books and I’ve tackled
different books and I’ve tackled everything and young adult cookbooks
everything and young adult cookbooks
everything and young adult cookbooks everything have there has there been a
everything have there has there been a
everything have there has there been a time when when the fear has actually
time when when the fear has actually
time when when the fear has actually sort of paralyzed you when you haven’t
sort of paralyzed you when you haven’t
sort of paralyzed you when you haven’t been able to write I don’t think it was
been able to write I don’t think it was
been able to write I don’t think it was fear I think it was sorrow after my
fear I think it was sorrow after my
fear I think it was sorrow after my daughter died I wrote a memoir called
daughter died I wrote a memoir called
daughter died I wrote a memoir called Paola and and then I went into what they
Paola and and then I went into what they
Paola and and then I went into what they call a writer’s block and then one day I
call a writer’s block and then one day I
call a writer’s block and then one day I was in a coffee shop and Annie Lamott
was in a coffee shop and Annie Lamott
was in a coffee shop and Annie Lamott and beloved writer said how are you
and beloved writer said how are you
and beloved writer said how are you doing I know about your daughter and he
doing I know about your daughter and he
doing I know about your daughter and he said well not good not good I can’t
said well not good not good I can’t
said well not good not good I can’t write I’m in a writer’s block and she
write I’m in a writer’s block and she
write I’m in a writer’s block and she said there is no such a thing as a
said there is no such a thing as a
said there is no such a thing as a writer’s block your reservoirs are empty
writer’s block your reservoirs are empty
writer’s block your reservoirs are empty fill them up
fill them up
fill them up and I went to India in a trip to India I
and I went to India in a trip to India I
and I went to India in a trip to India I I filled them up yeah
I filled them up yeah
I filled them up yeah everything changed after that right well
everything changed after that right well
everything changed after that right well yeah
yeah
yeah you actually write beautifully about
you actually write beautifully about
you actually write beautifully about that trip to India in that in the book
that trip to India in that in the book
that trip to India in that in the book that I added it called better than
that I added it called better than
that I added it called better than fiction you have an amazing stories
fiction you have an amazing stories
fiction you have an amazing stories about could you tell everyone of that
about could you tell everyone of that
about could you tell everyone of that that story and what what the outcome was
that story and what what the outcome was
that story and what what the outcome was well I didn’t want to go because I
well I didn’t want to go because I
well I didn’t want to go because I thought I can’t deal with the poverty
thought I can’t deal with the poverty
thought I can’t deal with the poverty and with a mess I just can’t
and with a mess I just can’t
and with a mess I just can’t well you come back from India and what
well you come back from India and what
well you come back from India and what you bring back is the beauty but I had
you bring back is the beauty but I had
you bring back is the beauty but I had an experience there that changed me we
an experience there that changed me we
an experience there that changed me we were with a driver
were with a driver
were with a driver in crossing Rajasthan the Rose who are
in crossing Rajasthan the Rose who are
in crossing Rajasthan the Rose who are impossible and it was a part the car was
impossible and it was a part the car was
impossible and it was a part the car was too the engine heated up and and the
too the engine heated up and and the
too the engine heated up and and the driver said I have to stop for a while
driver said I have to stop for a while
driver said I have to stop for a while and there was an acacia tree in the back
and there was an acacia tree in the back
and there was an acacia tree in the back somewhere nothing is no village no well
somewhere nothing is no village no well
somewhere nothing is no village no well nothing and under the tree like five or
nothing and under the tree like five or
nothing and under the tree like five or six women and children and my friend
six women and children and my friend
six women and children and my friend table and I walked toward them we didn’t
table and I walked toward them we didn’t
table and I walked toward them we didn’t have a common language but at the
have a common language but at the
have a common language but at the beginning they were scared and then
beginning they were scared and then
beginning they were scared and then curiosity was stronger than fear and
curiosity was stronger than fear and
curiosity was stronger than fear and they started touching tables hair she
they started touching tables hair she
they started touching tables hair she had her hair tinted purple and we had
had her hair tinted purple and we had
had her hair tinted purple and we had bought some bracelets in a market some
bought some bracelets in a market some
bought some bracelets in a market some silver bracelets a bunch of them and the
silver bracelets a bunch of them and the
silver bracelets a bunch of them and the women were touching our bracelets and so
women were touching our bracelets and so
women were touching our bracelets and so we took off the bracelets gave them the
we took off the bracelets gave them the
we took off the bracelets gave them the bracelets and we couldn’t communicate
bracelets and we couldn’t communicate
bracelets and we couldn’t communicate but we sort of touched and then the
but we sort of touched and then the
but we sort of touched and then the driver honked and we started walking to
driver honked and we started walking to
driver honked and we started walking to the car and one of the women came
the car and one of the women came
the car and one of the women came running and she gave me a little parcel
running and she gave me a little parcel
running and she gave me a little parcel and I thought she was trying to give me
and I thought she was trying to give me
and I thought she was trying to give me something back for the bracelets I said
something back for the bracelets I said
something back for the bracelets I said no no it’s not necessary
no no it’s not necessary
no no it’s not necessary no no no and she insisted and put this
no no no and she insisted and put this
no no no and she insisted and put this person in my hands and I sort of opened
person in my hands and I sort of opened
person in my hands and I sort of opened it they were just relaxed and I open it
it they were just relaxed and I open it
it they were just relaxed and I open it and there was a newborn baby inside
and there was a newborn baby inside
and there was a newborn baby inside newborn I mean it’s still had the
newborn I mean it’s still had the
newborn I mean it’s still had the umbilical cord and I blessed the baby
umbilical cord and I blessed the baby
umbilical cord and I blessed the baby kiss the baby
kiss the baby
kiss the baby it smelled like nothing that I’ve ever
it smelled like nothing that I’ve ever
it smelled like nothing that I’ve ever smelled in a baby like ash earth and
smelled in a baby like ash earth and
smelled in a baby like ash earth and feces and I tried to give the baby back
feces and I tried to give the baby back
feces and I tried to give the baby back and she she refused she stepped back and
and she she refused she stepped back and
and she she refused she stepped back and in that moment that driver came running
in that moment that driver came running
in that moment that driver came running and he grabbed the baby from my hands
and he grabbed the baby from my hands
and he grabbed the baby from my hands and gave it back to the mother pushed me
and gave it back to the mother pushed me
and gave it back to the mother pushed me in the car and we drove off and when I
in the car and we drove off and when I
in the car and we drove off and when I could I realize what had happened we
could I realize what had happened we
could I realize what had happened we were already driving away and I said why
were already driving away and I said why
were already driving away and I said why would that woman give me her baby and
would that woman give me her baby and
would that woman give me her baby and the driver said it’s a girl who wants a
the driver said it’s a girl who wants a
the driver said it’s a girl who wants a girl and that was a moment in my life
girl and that was a moment in my life
girl and that was a moment in my life when when I really liked I I was pulled
when when I really liked I I was pulled
when when I really liked I I was pulled out of my my own sorrow I was only
out of my my own sorrow I was only
out of my my own sorrow I was only focusing on myself when there is so much
focusing on myself when there is so much
focusing on myself when there is so much to do in the world there’s so much grief
to do in the world there’s so much grief
to do in the world there’s so much grief so much need all the money that I had
so much need all the money that I had
so much need all the money that I had earned with Paola the book I have put in
earned with Paola the book I have put in
earned with Paola the book I have put in a separate account because I didn’t want
a separate account because I didn’t want
a separate account because I didn’t want to touch it thinking that one day I
to touch it thinking that one day I
to touch it thinking that one day I would do something to honor my daughter
would do something to honor my daughter
would do something to honor my daughter and that was the moment when I realized
and that was the moment when I realized
and that was the moment when I realized that I could create a foundation to try
that I could create a foundation to try
that I could create a foundation to try to help little girls like her like that
to help little girls like her like that
to help little girls like her like that little girl and she that little girl
little girl and she that little girl
little girl and she that little girl haunts me she would be if she’s alive 16
haunts me she would be if she’s alive 16
haunts me she would be if she’s alive 16 now and 16 or 17 and she haunts me
now and 16 or 17 and she haunts me
now and 16 or 17 and she haunts me because I think I could have given her a
because I think I could have given her a
because I think I could have given her a life could I maybe I could have taken
life could I maybe I could have taken
life could I maybe I could have taken her out of India bring her with me
her out of India bring her with me
her out of India bring her with me of course what everybody says is I was
of course what everybody says is I was
of course what everybody says is I was trying to replace my daughter I know I
trying to replace my daughter I know I
trying to replace my daughter I know I don’t think so I think it just opened my
don’t think so I think it just opened my
don’t think so I think it just opened my eyes to the need in the world so I have
eyes to the need in the world so I have
eyes to the need in the world so I have a foundation now that works with women
a foundation now that works with women
a foundation now that works with women and girls empowering women and girls you
and girls empowering women and girls you
and girls empowering women and girls you can google my name and you’ll find it
can google my name and you’ll find it
can google my name and you’ll find it there if you want to know what do we do
you’ve heard about call my invented
you’ve heard about call my invented country and and for those of us who are
country and and for those of us who are
country and and for those of us who are travelers and who would like to go to
travelers and who would like to go to
travelers and who would like to go to Chile where would you recommend that we
Chile where would you recommend that we
Chile where would you recommend that we go one of them it must see places or
go one of them it must see places or
go one of them it must see places or they must see things to get the essence
they must see things to get the essence
they must see things to get the essence of the jalisa long and narrow strip of
of the jalisa long and narrow strip of
of the jalisa long and narrow strip of land so you have all the climates and
land so you have all the climates and
land so you have all the climates and all the landscapes and it’s gorgeous and
all the landscapes and it’s gorgeous and
all the landscapes and it’s gorgeous and the people are kind and there are no
the people are kind and there are no
the people are kind and there are no ferocious animals or serpents or any of
ferocious animals or serpents or any of
ferocious animals or serpents or any of that so it’s a safe and wonderful
that so it’s a safe and wonderful
that so it’s a safe and wonderful country up in the north we have the
country up in the north we have the
country up in the north we have the driest desert in the world the driest
driest desert in the world the driest
driest desert in the world the driest climate in the world where all the
climate in the world where all the
climate in the world where all the astronomical observatories are and some
astronomical observatories are and some
astronomical observatories are and some Pedro de Atacama in the Atacama Desert
Pedro de Atacama in the Atacama Desert
Pedro de Atacama in the Atacama Desert is according to my daughter-in-law has
is according to my daughter-in-law has
is according to my daughter-in-law has been all over the world the best place
been all over the world the best place
been all over the world the best place that were where you can go but you can
that were where you can go but you can
that were where you can go but you can also go to Patagonia or to all the
also go to Patagonia or to all the
also go to Patagonia or to all the region of regions of the lakes and the
region of regions of the lakes and the
region of regions of the lakes and the volcanoes in the south it’s beautiful
volcanoes in the south it’s beautiful
volcanoes in the south it’s beautiful and CEO of course once you read my book
and CEO of course once you read my book
and CEO of course once you read my book and please read it you will want to go
and please read it you will want to go
and please read it you will want to go to Chile
to Chile
to Chile do you think the people chill away know
do you think the people chill away know
do you think the people chill away know that you’ve written the book oh yeah I
that you’ve written the book oh yeah I
that you’ve written the book oh yeah I was there two years ago it was taken so
was there two years ago it was taken so
was there two years ago it was taken so long for the translation that it is a
long for the translation that it is a
long for the translation that it is a historical no no okay so I have a lot of
historical no no okay so I have a lot of
historical no no okay so I have a lot of people going to cheer the way because I
people going to cheer the way because I
people going to cheer the way because I don’t know but but I have been there
don’t know but but I have been there
don’t know but but I have been there after the book and there are many people
after the book and there are many people
after the book and there are many people from the island and are in the book real
from the island and are in the book real
from the island and are in the book real people really we with other names but
people really we with other names but
people really we with other names but they are there and they recognize
they are there and they recognize
they are there and they recognize themselves now for example there is my
themselves now for example there is my
themselves now for example there is my daughter-in-law and I were invited to a
daughter-in-law and I were invited to a
daughter-in-law and I were invited to a circle of women that gather on full on
circle of women that gather on full on
circle of women that gather on full on the full moon and they gather in the
the full moon and they gather in the
the full moon and they gather in the what they called el rucola Ruka which is
what they called el rucola Ruka which is
what they called el rucola Ruka which is like a Kiva and it’s a sacred place
like a Kiva and it’s a sacred place
like a Kiva and it’s a sacred place feminine place where men don’t go make
feminine place where men don’t go make
feminine place where men don’t go make men ever built it but they have been
men ever built it but they have been
men ever built it but they have been ogling and so the women gather there
ogling and so the women gather there
ogling and so the women gather there it’s hot it’s not a sweat lodge but it’s
it’s hot it’s not a sweat lodge but it’s
it’s hot it’s not a sweat lodge but it’s hot and it’s wonderful it’s it’s during
hot and it’s wonderful it’s it’s during
hot and it’s wonderful it’s it’s during the Pachamama the mother earth
the Pachamama the mother earth
the Pachamama the mother earth so we had at night they are with my
so we had at night they are with my
so we had at night they are with my daughter-in-law and I wrote it exactly
daughter-in-law and I wrote it exactly
daughter-in-law and I wrote it exactly as it was in the book and they all the
as it was in the book and they all the
as it was in the book and they all the women there sent emails and they
women there sent emails and they
women there sent emails and they communicate is wonderful Wow so that’s
communicate is wonderful Wow so that’s
communicate is wonderful Wow so that’s real they’re all real
real they’re all real
real they’re all real that’s an amazing scene in the book I
that’s an amazing scene in the book I
that’s an amazing scene in the book I remember thinking this couldn’t possibly
remember thinking this couldn’t possibly
remember thinking this couldn’t possibly be of course it’s real I think I could
be of course it’s real I think I could
be of course it’s real I think I could make that up
make that up
make that up well I think we should go to questions
well I think we should go to questions
well I think we should go to questions okay we’ll go to questions in the middle
okay we’ll go to questions in the middle
okay we’ll go to questions in the middle there that gentleman two seats in thank
there that gentleman two seats in thank
there that gentleman two seats in thank you do you ever urine our dream of going
you do you ever urine our dream of going
you do you ever urine our dream of going back to Chile to live there once more if
back to Chile to live there once more if
back to Chile to live there once more if I would go back to live in Chile I have
I would go back to live in Chile I have
I would go back to live in Chile I have a foot there and a foot here but my son
a foot there and a foot here but my son
a foot there and a foot here but my son my grandchildren my husband my dogs
my grandchildren my husband my dogs
my grandchildren my husband my dogs everything is here
everything is here
everything is here and I love this country this country has
and I love this country this country has
and I love this country this country has given me so much it has given me an
given me so much it has given me an
given me so much it has given me an infinite space to create privacy you
infinite space to create privacy you
infinite space to create privacy you know I feel safe here you live in terror
know I feel safe here you live in terror
know I feel safe here you live in terror with this paranoia of terrorism this is
with this paranoia of terrorism this is
with this paranoia of terrorism this is a very safe place you don’t know what
a very safe place you don’t know what
a very safe place you don’t know what the rest of the world looks like so I go
the rest of the world looks like so I go
the rest of the world looks like so I go to to Chile because that’s my roots and
to to Chile because that’s my roots and
to to Chile because that’s my roots and my language and the sense of humor and
my language and the sense of humor and
my language and the sense of humor and everything that I love but I want to be
everything that I love but I want to be
everything that I love but I want to be here and I hope that my ashes will end
here and I hope that my ashes will end
here and I hope that my ashes will end up here yes could you please tell us a
up here yes could you please tell us a
up here yes could you please tell us a little bit why did you write a book like
little bit why did you write a book like
little bit why did you write a book like the the island under the sea the island
the the island under the sea the island
the the island under the sea the island beneath the sea really I wasn’t planning
beneath the sea really I wasn’t planning
beneath the sea really I wasn’t planning to write that book at all the island me
to write that book at all the island me
to write that book at all the island me neither see is a story of the slave
neither see is a story of the slave
neither see is a story of the slave revolt in Haiti 200 years ago I have no
revolt in Haiti 200 years ago I have no
revolt in Haiti 200 years ago I have no connection with that story why would I
connection with that story why would I
connection with that story why would I write about that now that the book is
write about that now that the book is
write about that now that the book is has been written I know what the book is
has been written I know what the book is
has been written I know what the book is about but I didn’t when I was writing it
about but I didn’t when I was writing it
about but I didn’t when I was writing it it took me four years of research and I
it took me four years of research and I
it took me four years of research and I got sick researching about slavery one
got sick researching about slavery one
got sick researching about slavery one of my obsessions is the abuse of power
of my obsessions is the abuse of power
of my obsessions is the abuse of power if if any human being has absolute power
if if any human being has absolute power
if if any human being has absolute power and impunity is not accountable we tend
and impunity is not accountable we tend
and impunity is not accountable we tend to commit commit atrocities
to commit commit atrocities
to commit commit atrocities that’s what the torture does to the
that’s what the torture does to the
that’s what the torture does to the victim that’s what the abusive father
victim that’s what the abusive father
victim that’s what the abusive father does to the children or their wife
does to the children or their wife
does to the children or their wife that’s what the their occupation forces
that’s what the their occupation forces
that’s what the their occupation forces to in a country that they have occupied
to in a country that they have occupied
to in a country that they have occupied that when there is absolute power or
that when there is absolute power or
that when there is absolute power or impunity we we can become beasts I’m
impunity we we can become beasts I’m
impunity we we can become beasts I’m very glad that I have never had that
very glad that I have never had that
very glad that I have never had that kind of power what what kind of person
kind of power what what kind of person
kind of power what what kind of person would I have been if I have been the
would I have been if I have been the
would I have been if I have been the wife of a plantation owner in Haiti in
wife of a plantation owner in Haiti in
wife of a plantation owner in Haiti in 1800 would I be this person would I know
1800 would I be this person would I know
1800 would I be this person would I know the world as I know today would I feel
the world as I know today would I feel
the world as I know today would I feel for the slaves what the what I feel
for the slaves what the what I feel
for the slaves what the what I feel today probably not probably I would be
today probably not probably I would be
today probably not probably I would be inserted in a cultural situation that it
inserted in a cultural situation that it
inserted in a cultural situation that it would seem completely natural to me that
would seem completely natural to me that
would seem completely natural to me that that there would be slaves just as it is
that there would be slaves just as it is
that there would be slaves just as it is natural for my mother to have a
natural for my mother to have a
natural for my mother to have a housekeeper who lives in the house and
housekeeper who lives in the house and
housekeeper who lives in the house and works 18 hours a day and she’s like a
works 18 hours a day and she’s like a
works 18 hours a day and she’s like a daughter and but she’s not a daughter
daughter and but she’s not a daughter
daughter and but she’s not a daughter and she’s working just the fact that she
and she’s working just the fact that she
and she’s working just the fact that she serves the table shocks me but it’s it’s
serves the table shocks me but it’s it’s
serves the table shocks me but it’s it’s natural energy that’s the way it’s done
natural energy that’s the way it’s done
natural energy that’s the way it’s done so it all depends where we are
so it all depends where we are
so it all depends where we are culturally so Isabelle I’m gonna ask you
culturally so Isabelle I’m gonna ask you
culturally so Isabelle I’m gonna ask you one last question there was one person
one last question there was one person
one last question there was one person oh okay well we’ll go to that and then
oh okay well we’ll go to that and then
oh okay well we’ll go to that and then I’ll ask you Alaska if that’s okay
I was inspired a few years ago when
I was inspired a few years ago when Michelle Bachelet was elected in Chile
Michelle Bachelet was elected in Chile
Michelle Bachelet was elected in Chile as the first female president and moved
as the first female president and moved
as the first female president and moved to Chile and was very interested in in
to Chile and was very interested in in
to Chile and was very interested in in the the citizens there and how they were
the the citizens there and how they were
the the citizens there and how they were very proud of having a female president
very proud of having a female president
very proud of having a female president and what that meant and I was wondering
and what that meant and I was wondering
and what that meant and I was wondering if you could reflect a little bit on
if you could reflect a little bit on
if you could reflect a little bit on that and women as leaders in Chile well
that and women as leaders in Chile well
that and women as leaders in Chile well women have been the pillars of the
women have been the pillars of the
women have been the pillars of the society in Chile always it’s a very
society in Chile always it’s a very
society in Chile always it’s a very patriarchal match of society in
patriarchal match of society in
patriarchal match of society in appearance but women are the pillars of
appearance but women are the pillars of
appearance but women are the pillars of the family and the community and they
the family and the community and they
the family and the community and they have always been involved in all the
have always been involved in all the
have always been involved in all the social issues and in politics but never
social issues and in politics but never
social issues and in politics but never to the point of electing a president
to the point of electing a president
to the point of electing a president until Michelle bascially was elected and
until Michelle bascially was elected and
until Michelle bascially was elected and that changed everything because now
that changed everything because now
that changed everything because now everything is possible for women
everything is possible for women
everything is possible for women Michelle did a wonderful presidency we
Michelle did a wonderful presidency we
Michelle did a wonderful presidency we had higher governments of what we call
had higher governments of what we call
had higher governments of what we call the concertación that is a coalition of
the concertación that is a coalition of
the concertación that is a coalition of parties of the center and the left for
parties of the center and the left for
parties of the center and the left for 20 years now we have a Conservative
20 years now we have a Conservative
20 years now we have a Conservative government that came after Michelle
government that came after Michelle
government that came after Michelle bascially Michelle is a nobody thought
bascially Michelle is a nobody thought
bascially Michelle is a nobody thought that she would ever be elected because
that she would ever be elected because
that she would ever be elected because she’s a single mother agnostic socialist
she’s a single mother agnostic socialist
she’s a single mother agnostic socialist and a woman and she didn’t have a chance
and a woman and she didn’t have a chance
and a woman and she didn’t have a chance and she left the presidency with 84 86
and she left the presidency with 84 86
and she left the presidency with 84 86 percent approval never in the history of
percent approval never in the history of
percent approval never in the history of Chile we have had a president with that
Chile we have had a president with that
Chile we have had a president with that kind of writing and I think she’s going
kind of writing and I think she’s going
kind of writing and I think she’s going to be our next president
to be our next president
to be our next president most probably yeah what’s your question
so what is your dream my dream my
so what is your dream my dream my personal dream to have long legs well I
personal dream to have long legs well I
personal dream to have long legs well I want to thank you Isabelle inviting me
want to thank you Isabelle inviting me
want to thank you Isabelle inviting me well thank you all for coming thank you
”
Be First to Comment