We've arrived in Santiago! Straight off a red-eye from JFK, we woke to summer in the southern hemisphere.
The fields we saw from the airplane turned out to be some of the many vineyards active in the Central Coast region of Chile. They produce some of the best wines in the world.
Chile has a strict ban on agricultural products coming into the country from other countries. It's their way of protecting their own local species from invasion by foreign pests. At customs, there was some question as to whether our granola bars were welcome here. Turns out the honey-flavored ones were not, and they went straight into the basura.
Fortunately Dan and I felt comfortable in the country right from the start. The subway system (so much cleaner than New York's!) got us into the city center quickly and safely, and for less than $1 each.
Our hotel and the Spanish language school we've enrolled in are just a block or two from the subway line:
School starts on Monday, so we still had plenty of time to walk around and get to know the city.
It's always fun to sample the local brews:
Here Dan's enjoying a churrasco, a typical Chilean sandwich- grilled sliced meat, guacamole, tomato and mayo piled onto "hamburger bread":
The cafe culture is alive and well in Santiago. We got our midday dose of caffeine along with a Spanish lesson at this popular spot that serves breakfast all day:
In the evenings we poured over guide books and studied our notes from the day's wandering. It sure will be strange to be a student again.
The fields we saw from the airplane turned out to be some of the many vineyards active in the Central Coast region of Chile. They produce some of the best wines in the world.
Chile has a strict ban on agricultural products coming into the country from other countries. It's their way of protecting their own local species from invasion by foreign pests. At customs, there was some question as to whether our granola bars were welcome here. Turns out the honey-flavored ones were not, and they went straight into the basura.
Fortunately Dan and I felt comfortable in the country right from the start. The subway system (so much cleaner than New York's!) got us into the city center quickly and safely, and for less than $1 each.
Our hotel and the Spanish language school we've enrolled in are just a block or two from the subway line:
School starts on Monday, so we still had plenty of time to walk around and get to know the city.
It's always fun to sample the local brews:
Here Dan's enjoying a churrasco, a typical Chilean sandwich- grilled sliced meat, guacamole, tomato and mayo piled onto "hamburger bread":
The cafe culture is alive and well in Santiago. We got our midday dose of caffeine along with a Spanish lesson at this popular spot that serves breakfast all day:
In the evenings we poured over guide books and studied our notes from the day's wandering. It sure will be strange to be a student again.
7 comments:
Hope you have a wonderful time in Chile! Do try some Carmenere wine. (There's an interesting story about how the grapes survived. ) David enjoyed quite a few bottles when he was working in Chile ( and I did, also, when I visited him).
BTW, the last two phrases on your Spanish list must be local colloquialisms....I speak Spanish reasonably well and have never heard either one of them....
(but still good to know if you're in Chile!)
Have fun!
Janet
Hi, guys!
Looks like you are having a great time "studying", may I suggest a closer venue for Spanish lessons...Paterson NJ!
I did a bunch of fillins in the optical there, my patiens spoke no English so I had to adapt quickly! I think you should end your blogs with some new words or expressions for us "gringos!" hasto luego! Diana Z
Dan got a haircut!
Have a wonderful time down there. Can't wait to hear your fluency in spanish on our next VOSH trip together.
PS: I'm jealous
Hey Janet! Yep, they are colloquialisms solamente en Chile--we learned them from our waiter at the very first place we had a meal in the city, thanks to a really nice waiter who patiently explained (and spelled) them.
DK
Congratulations on your new home! We hope you have a fun time in Chile, and from the pictures it seems you have a good start. What a deal--learning a language, experiencing a different culture, and enjoying warn weather in February! Thanks for keeping us posted. Fred and Roberta
Janie, we can't WAIT to try the wines here. Thanks for the heads up about Carmenere- we'll keep our eyes peeled for it.
Diana, you're so right about learning Spanish in NJ- what were we thinking coming all the way here to Chile? :)
I definitely think being fluent will help me at work too- I can put a sign in the office window now: "se puede Espanol"!
Steve- I do hope I'm fluent for our next VOSH trip- hopefully I can see more patients that way, and it'll be that much more fun to talk to our hosts, etc
PS I miss Dan's long hair...:)
Roberta and Fred- Thanks for your good vibes, and glad you're enjoying the blog. Hope you're well!
Post a Comment