Santiago Landing - Week 1
HAPPENINGS
Donde esta la farmacia? Yep. Where is the pharmacy? That was one of my first complete sentences in Spanish this week. Landed with a sinus infection, resulting in minimal playtime. Fortunately, I had antibiotics, so only thing left to do was load up on OTC stuff, fruits and veggies. I stuck to working on my blog and read quite a bit about Chilean culture during the two days I was holed up. After living a nomadic life the last 29 months, it hasn’t taken much time to adjust to this new lifestyle. Despite the yuckiness, I had enough stamina to set up my apartment, grocery shop and take a five mile walk to get acquainted with my neighborhood on day one.
STREET SMARTS & TRAVEL TIPS
For subway or bus transportation, you can buy a BIP? card at any metro station and load it up using a credit or debit card. The subway runs only four lines (1-4), and is easy to use if you GPS your destination, follow the red arrows mapped out on the floor and check signs above your head.
As mentioned in previous posts, protect your wallet, phone and passport. I keep everything in my front pocket. If you use your credit card, which most stores and restaurants accept, be prepared to show your passport.
CULTURAL AWARENESS
The Museum of Memory and Human Rights was the first main attraction I visited. It unveils human rights violations throughout the world, with an emphasis on the people here. Chileans were under a junta (military group), ruled by Pinochet for 17 years that began on September 11, 1973 and ended in 1990. Chileans were imprisoned, tortured and went missing if they defied the new rule. Make this one of your destinations. Bring some kleenex.
The recent attempt at a transportation cost hike is symptomatic of much bigger problems in Chile. Wealth disparity, lack of quality public education, a privatized retirement system and an ever increasing gap between wages and cost of goods have even the middle class frustrated and angry. There are daily nonviolent protests at this time, however, we’ve been urged to stay away from those areas, especially on Friday. A few subway stops have been shut down in areas of concern.
