The Other Down Under
I am moving to Chile in March. To teach English, not because the end of the world survivalists are going there. Has anyone from the Scrabbled ever been there or to any other part of South America? If so, do you have any tips? How about any advice on living abroad in general? Thanks!
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WHOAH WHAT?! THAT IS SO FUCKING COOL!!
Gosia’s been to Venezeula, and I know Bill Mensch on here went to Costa Rica (search for it, he’s got some very cool pics).
When I read this post title, I thought it was going to be about Sam’s mom.
My housemate, Lisa, originally from Kansas, lived in Chile for a year. The one piece of advice I can give you from what she told me is to be sure to have a lot of napkins on hand when you have a Chilean-style hot dog. Americans always embarass themselves in this regard.
I can find out some hot spots for you tonight!
Please, tell us more about the program you are involved in. I would like to see the world as well.
I was worried people would think this post was about Sam’s mom. Actually I was hoping everyone would think that so they would read it.
Thanks for the hot dog eating tip! I always have a lot of napkins on hand when I eat anything, so I will remember to have double when I try to eat all that mayonaise/avocado/hot dog. Please relay any other information Lisa may have.
The program I am doing is called English Opens Doors and is in cahoots with the United Nations and the Chilean Ministry of Education. I’ll be in the Patagonia region for 8 months, hopefully in Punta Arenas, the southern most city in the world. This is the website.
Alycia, I don’t know if you watch No Reservations or are a fan of Anthony Bourdain, but he did an episode in Chile and I believe he hit the exactly city you mentioned. Definitely worth checking out because Bourdain specifically avoids touristy bullshit and does as the locals do.
http://yourtrip.travelchannel.com/clip.aspx?key=2C0E1A48D0B1499E
Not the episode but the plea. The episode’s gotta be online somewhere…
Thanks John! I haven’t watched No Reservations but I don’t have anything against it. I’ll find the episode.
my friend’s sister lives in argentina. argentina touches chile in naughty places.
I might be close enough to Argentina to walk or swim to it! It would be cool to swim to naughty places.
Okay, some things I recall from my conversation with Lisa:
Be sure to visit Torres Del Paine National Park, it’s beautiful.
Check out the salsa bars (dance, not dip). There is world-renown skiing in the Patagonia as well as many outdoor activities like hiking and canoeing.
You’ll probably be “stationed” by the beach. Take a ferry here and there to the many visitable islands.
In the winter months, it’s known to be overly rainy.
You’re not too far from being able to see penguins run wild.
Kunstmann beer is the preferred and suggested beer, though I’m sure you’ll find out more.
Thanks Paris! I am really excited to salsa dance with wild penguins in the rain on a visitable island while drinking Kunstmann overlooking Torres Del Paine.