There have been several times here when I think "that wouldn't fly in the US" or "you don't see that everyday back home". I often laugh at these times thinking how different other cultures are, but yet how similar they can be as well.
1. Stikes
In Chile if people aren't happy with a current situation they go on strike. For example, the postal service was on strike all last month demanding higher wages. This meant no mail into the country (well the mail got dropped off in a big pile in Santiago) and no mail leaving the country. This is apparently acceptable here and happens multiple times a year. Now the Registro Civil (DMV, marriage license office, ID) is on strike. There's no telling when these strikes end. You just have to wait them out. Students are often on strike as well demanding lower tuition at universities. One of my professors here said "If you American students were Chileans you would not be going to college, but rather protesting because your tuition prices are outrageous in the states." I suppose this is a good way for them to get what they demand, but creates an added adventure for citizens. Don't worry we had to sign a paper declaring we won't participate in any protests while here.
2. Tattoo artists at the flee markets
Looking for a quick tattoo and want the serenity of being on the beach while getting one? Come to Chile, where you need look no further than the local flee market. A man can give you a real tattoo within a matter of minutes as you sit in front of passer byes and then you'll be on your way.
3. Jugglers/street performers
You can make money here by performing your latest and greatest talent to drivers as they stop at the stop light. Anything from flame juggling, salsa dancing, unicycle riding, and break dancing on your head will fly. At the university the other day someone was juggling 4 top hats in the middle of the common area. He was quite entertaining to watch.
4. Hitting other cars
If you get in an accident in the US what do you usually do? File a police report if the damage is over $1000 or if less than that you settle with the other driver. Here it seems common to have a couple of door dings or dents your car. It adds character to it. I have seen countless fender benders where the drivers simply wave to one another and continue on their merry way. The other day on the bus to school we turned right and literally moved the car next to us as we scraped the side of it. Despite scaring the poor driver and moving her car several feet we continued driving.
5. Wild dogs
DOGS EVERYWHERE! literally everywhere-parks, restaurants, the beach. Petting the dogs results in a new best friend for you who follows your every move. The dogs chase cars like it is a game of tag. They get so close to the cars as to bite the rubber on the tires. Sometimes people leave food out for the dogs, other times they rummage through the trash.
6. Street Sweepers
Not the big street sweeping trucks, but rather workers with brooms. Many streets are swept by hand every single day. Real manual labor right there.
7. Buses with no rules
Public transportation here is very common. A lot of families have no car or only one car, so public transportation is necessary. You can take buses all over the city and to other cities which is great, but be prepared to literally jump off the bus when you are ready to go because the drivers rarely come to a complete stop. You also never really know how much is going to cost. It could be anywhere from 300 pesos ($.60) to 500 pesos ($1USD). The rate changes depending on what bus you take and what time of the day you take it. There are no schedules for the buses you just stand on the sidewalk and wait till you think you see a bus going near where you need to go. One night my friends and I jumped on a bus and were the only people stupid enough to get on after the co-pilot hopped out and asked "need a ride" and we said "sure". Our ride could be comparable to Harry's ride on the Knight Bus in Harry Potter. The driver was going 70mph while passing cars with only inches to spare as we flew across the aisle. After jumping off the bus we were amazed we survived and couldn't stop laughing.
8. Window washers
While at a stop light you can have your windows washed by 2 guys who will use Coke bottles filled with water to squirt liquid on your car and then squeegee it off. You pay them what you see fit. While your car is parked on the street it is common to come back and see that someone is washing it or the windows for you.
9. Lack of lines
I don't think Chileans were taught how to stand in a single file line in kindergarten. Getting on the bus each morning to school requires you to be aggressive as you push through the crowd. At mass when receiving communion usually people get up row by row and walk orderly to the front of the church. This is not the case here where instead everywhere stands up at the same time and weasels their way in.
10. Audience while you run
Last week I went on a run. It took about 10 minutes to run to the beach after dodging cars, people and pot holes. I proceeded along the beach and then trough the city on my way back home. It's nice to have encouragement while you run but I'm not sure that cat calls, kisses blown, and honks were the encouragement I was looking for.
*These instances could occur in the US, but I don't usually encounter them throughout my daily life at home in America. I'm comparing this experience to mine in America because that's where I know best. I love encountering new things every day that reinforce that I'm not in America anymore!
1. Stikes
In Chile if people aren't happy with a current situation they go on strike. For example, the postal service was on strike all last month demanding higher wages. This meant no mail into the country (well the mail got dropped off in a big pile in Santiago) and no mail leaving the country. This is apparently acceptable here and happens multiple times a year. Now the Registro Civil (DMV, marriage license office, ID) is on strike. There's no telling when these strikes end. You just have to wait them out. Students are often on strike as well demanding lower tuition at universities. One of my professors here said "If you American students were Chileans you would not be going to college, but rather protesting because your tuition prices are outrageous in the states." I suppose this is a good way for them to get what they demand, but creates an added adventure for citizens. Don't worry we had to sign a paper declaring we won't participate in any protests while here.
2. Tattoo artists at the flee markets
Looking for a quick tattoo and want the serenity of being on the beach while getting one? Come to Chile, where you need look no further than the local flee market. A man can give you a real tattoo within a matter of minutes as you sit in front of passer byes and then you'll be on your way.
3. Jugglers/street performers
You can make money here by performing your latest and greatest talent to drivers as they stop at the stop light. Anything from flame juggling, salsa dancing, unicycle riding, and break dancing on your head will fly. At the university the other day someone was juggling 4 top hats in the middle of the common area. He was quite entertaining to watch.
 |
| juggler at school |
4. Hitting other cars
If you get in an accident in the US what do you usually do? File a police report if the damage is over $1000 or if less than that you settle with the other driver. Here it seems common to have a couple of door dings or dents your car. It adds character to it. I have seen countless fender benders where the drivers simply wave to one another and continue on their merry way. The other day on the bus to school we turned right and literally moved the car next to us as we scraped the side of it. Despite scaring the poor driver and moving her car several feet we continued driving.
5. Wild dogs
DOGS EVERYWHERE! literally everywhere-parks, restaurants, the beach. Petting the dogs results in a new best friend for you who follows your every move. The dogs chase cars like it is a game of tag. They get so close to the cars as to bite the rubber on the tires. Sometimes people leave food out for the dogs, other times they rummage through the trash.
6. Street Sweepers
Not the big street sweeping trucks, but rather workers with brooms. Many streets are swept by hand every single day. Real manual labor right there.
7. Buses with no rules
Public transportation here is very common. A lot of families have no car or only one car, so public transportation is necessary. You can take buses all over the city and to other cities which is great, but be prepared to literally jump off the bus when you are ready to go because the drivers rarely come to a complete stop. You also never really know how much is going to cost. It could be anywhere from 300 pesos ($.60) to 500 pesos ($1USD). The rate changes depending on what bus you take and what time of the day you take it. There are no schedules for the buses you just stand on the sidewalk and wait till you think you see a bus going near where you need to go. One night my friends and I jumped on a bus and were the only people stupid enough to get on after the co-pilot hopped out and asked "need a ride" and we said "sure". Our ride could be comparable to Harry's ride on the Knight Bus in Harry Potter. The driver was going 70mph while passing cars with only inches to spare as we flew across the aisle. After jumping off the bus we were amazed we survived and couldn't stop laughing.
8. Window washers
While at a stop light you can have your windows washed by 2 guys who will use Coke bottles filled with water to squirt liquid on your car and then squeegee it off. You pay them what you see fit. While your car is parked on the street it is common to come back and see that someone is washing it or the windows for you.
9. Lack of lines
I don't think Chileans were taught how to stand in a single file line in kindergarten. Getting on the bus each morning to school requires you to be aggressive as you push through the crowd. At mass when receiving communion usually people get up row by row and walk orderly to the front of the church. This is not the case here where instead everywhere stands up at the same time and weasels their way in.
10. Audience while you run
Last week I went on a run. It took about 10 minutes to run to the beach after dodging cars, people and pot holes. I proceeded along the beach and then trough the city on my way back home. It's nice to have encouragement while you run but I'm not sure that cat calls, kisses blown, and honks were the encouragement I was looking for.
*These instances could occur in the US, but I don't usually encounter them throughout my daily life at home in America. I'm comparing this experience to mine in America because that's where I know best. I love encountering new things every day that reinforce that I'm not in America anymore!
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