So let me set the stage: one suitcase, one huge backpack, a 13 hour flight and it was “Bienvenido a Chile”!
As I sit here writing this blog, I feel so fortunate and so blessed. It has only been a few days and I have already experienced so many new things! So let me start by telling you my top five favourite things since I’ve arrived in Chile.
1. The Little Things.
The simple things that people do are truly the kindest and I am finding the Chilean culture overwhelmingly kind. Whether it’s our taxi driver making sure we get into our hostel or a corner store owner helping us with directions, the generosity that people have is incredible. Lucky for them, since we don’t always fit in, we provide them with a little entertainment as we try to learn our way around.
2. La Comida (Food!).
If you know me, you will know that eating is a hobby of mine! So far, I have eaten a smorgasbord of new foods. Yes, I just used the word smorgasbord! Chile, especially Southern Chile, actually does have a little German influence. It’s why they call their cakes “kuchen”. So what have I eaten?
All of the above were my meals! They include a completo (the one that looks like a hotdog), pebre (the salsa-looking dip), choripán (grilled sausage with bread and toppings), chorillana (almost like a chilean poutine) and finally pisco sour (a famous Chilean drink)! No complaints here! The food is delicious.
3. The Learning.
It goes without saying that I’m a nerd at heart. I am taking advantage of every moment to learn about the culture, the people and the history. We are fortunate enough to have met some very kind people, including some of Jill’s roommates. (Jill is has been my travel buddy these last few days and is a student on exchange as well). They have taught us Chilean sayings including “buena honda” which means "good vibes" and even a couple dance steps including some salsa and chamamé moves. They have also introduced us to our very first asado(Chilean BBQ).
4. The Surprises.
We saw Valparaíso’s huge downhill bike competition that happens once a year and walked down a beach and saw some sea lions, and all by chance. I am discovering that wherever you go, you will find something deliciously new! It doesn’t matter where you are, there is always something unexpected. It can be something as simple as realizing that your fruits must be weighed and marked before being paid for, that a normal work day is from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or that you have to use a push-pull movement to open a door. New and unique moments like these are what I appreciate because they allow me to expand my horizons and force me to readjust what I believe is the norm.
5. The Friends!
The warmth that we have felt from new and old friends is unique and touching. I have begun new friendships and have been welcomed to this city with open arms. Having just one local, or one person invite you into their life, or their home, makes all the difference! It makes you feel like this could be your home too. We have new Chilean friends like Profesora Fran, who is constantly teaching us new things and Joaquim, who is our resident “bombero” or fireman. He's always coming to our rescue!
So far, little by little (as they like to say here), Chile is becoming my home, but to my friends back home I say, "besitos and mi casa es su casa"!
Ciao for now!