Diferencias Culturales

Since I’m now in the culture shock period of my study abroad experience, I thought it would be appropriate to share my observations about cultural differences between the US and Chile:

COMIDA (food): This is of course an important area of concern. Chilean food is quite different in most cases than what I’m used to, and I have already eaten many things here that I would surely pass up in the US. We have lots and lots of pan (bread). I’m talking lots. Like with every meal. And then some. The Chileans also like their meat. Chicken, turkey, beef… whatever works. Not a whole lot of vegetables. Their salad is very plain, iceberg lettuce with maybe some cucumber or tomato and a vinegar-y dressing. Guacamole is big, chilenos like it on bread, but I’m not so much a fan.

For breakfast, I always have some yogurt and bread. The yogurt is chunky, because they don’t refrigerate their milk. Its really not as gross as it sounds, especially when you add some honey. As for drinks, there is always offered coffee (café) or tea (te), but their coffee is instant Nescafe, which stands for “no es (is) café”. So I have been preferring tea around here. J There is usually some fruit juice available. They think its weird that I actually like to drink water. Sorry to take so much time on the food!

BEING AN “AMERICANA” IN CHILE and CARRETEAR (going out): So we have some free time this weekend, and I went out last night for the first time. It was me, my Chilean sister Angelina, and a few other girls. Let me just say, we attract a lot of attention. Chilenos just know we’re American, and even with my brown hair, here I am pretty much considered blonde. So we ended up on a street with a lot of discoteques (dance clubs) and restaurants, and everyone wanted us to come to their club. There are men that stand outside advertising their establishments, and everyone wants to give us free drinks and whatever we want. They also start to speak English to us when they figure out who we are, and it doesn’t matter how many times we say “No hablo ingles” (I don’t speak English). It was a very interesting night. We did learn some things though. Like 11pm is way too early for the chilenos, you have to wait until 2am or so for a full dance floor. Crazy. Oh and by the way, I did try the famous pisco sour last night. It was definitely sour and strong. And I tried the lighter version. The first sip seems ok, and then the aftertaste gets you.

Well there you go. For an update, we went to Isla Negra (home of poet Pablo Neruda) and Pomaire (traditional Chilean town) yesterday for an IES field trip. It was a lot of fun. The home is on the Pacific Ocean, which is beautiful. We had LOTS of traditional Chilean food in Pomaire and had the chance to shop. Today, I’m being an American and going to the mall for some things. We’re also going to Bodies the Exhibition today! Check it out: http://www.bodiestheexhibition.com/

Hope everyone is well. I love and miss you! Besitos!!

Alyse