Tag Archives: Chile

Visits to Santiago and Valparaiso

The program officially ended June 24 but due to the fact that I studied at a local university, Torcuato di Tella, my stay got extended until July 1. Exams at the university, where I took two classes, weren’t very difficult and honestly di Tella is one of the most organized universities in Argentina. I highly recommend attending that university although it is 45 minutes away from the program headquarters.

Since I booked my departure back home two weeks earlier I decided to visit Chile specifically Santiago and Valparaiso. Santiago, the capital, is vastly different from Buenos Aires with more modern architecture and of course a free-trade economy. Santiago’s nightlife is a bit lacking though, my guide said that was due to the many years of dictatorship in which people were afraid to live freely.

Palacio La Moneda

On my second day there I took a ‘Find Waldo’ tours for tips tour. We meet at the Museo de Bellas Artes, which by the way is absolutely gorgeous and free. Our tour guide was a young 20 year old woman who was very helpful and showed us some of the most iconic places in the city. We visited the Moneda, the presidential palace and learned about the history of the dictatorship, a subject I thoroughly studied at di Tella. We also visited the Plaza de Armas, the central square in Santiago, and a couple of neighborhoods.

View from Cerro Santa Lucia

View from Cerro Santa Lucia

I spent three days in Valparaiso, a port city protected by the UNESCO and I honestly liked it better than Santiago probably due to the fact that its closer to water. It is a very picturesque and calm city somewhere you can probably retire to. I also to a ‘Find Waldo’ Tour and it was also very informative.

Valparaiso

Valparaiso

 

Valparaiso

Valparaiso

The food especially seafood, something not very good in Argentina is fantastic. While I stayed in Chile I tried to eat as much seafood as possible including ceviche, a seafood dish cooked in lime juice. I also tried chorillana, a typical hangover plate with french fries, caramelized onions, and meat (sausage,beef, and sometimes chicken). The cazuela de vacuna (a soup with meat, potatoes, corn, and pumpkin) is also very delicious, I had it on my last day. It is especially good with the fierce cold weather in Santiago.


Location: Santiago, Chile

I’m crazy.

I’m crazy. I’m actually certifiably nuts. Let me give you a little peak into the mind of an Emma, but you’ve been warned.

This story starts with me researching what I need to pack for my semester in Chile. This story ends with me looking up the Spanish words for asparagus and rape.

So I get back from work today and open up my computer. There’s an email from IES with the details for my new host family assignment (long story short…my original host family assignment has a cat and I recently discovered cats make my eyeballs feel like they need to be soaked in Selsun Blue). Along with my housing assignment was information on being picked up at the airport and a caveat to dress warmly due to the cold weather in Santiago recently.

Thought 1.) I should research what to wear. What do Chilean’s wear? Do I have to dress fancy? I don’t like dressing fancy? I like dressing like a slob. I’m a slob. I’m ratchet. I should shower. Meh, I’ll shower later.

I google what I should wear in Santiago, and after 2 truly grueling minutes looking at blogs written by the self-proclaimed tourist fashion connoisseurs of Chile, I come to one conclusion: Dress like a cake. Because in Donkey’s words, “Not everybody likes onions.”

Thought 2.) I really do love cake. Sugar is great. Maybe I should eat a cookie. Man, that cookie was delicious. Maybe I should work out more so I can eat more. Working out makes me sweaty. I’m gross. Ok, I definitely need a shower.

I hop in the shower and start mentally going through my wardrobe trying to think of layers for my cake outfit.

Thought 3.) Sweaters are good layers. Oooo my comfy purple sweater! But that looks like a Bill Cosby sweater. Do Chileans know who Bill Cosby is? What if I have to explain to my host family who Bill Cosby is? I don’t think I know the word for rape in Spanish. I need to look that up. My host family is going to think I’m crazy if I know the word for rape but not for something dumb, like asparagus. What if they ask me if I like asparagus and I say no because I don’t know what they’re asking me? Then I won’t have any asparagus! I do like asparagus. I like food. Maybe I should eat another cookie.

So here I am, writing this post to inform you all that the first 3 words on google translate for rape are la violación, la colza, and el estupro. Asparagus is el espárragos. There you have it. I’m crazy. And no, I have not decided yet if I’m going to pack my purple sweater.


Location: West Chester, PA