I have always loved overlooking big cities from a bird’s eye view — the angle giving unique perspective to just how large the landscape is. I’ve hiked to the top of well-known hills, skipped up the stairs to my various apartments’ rooftops and traveled to corners of the city for several special shots of Santiago’s skyline. Enjoy the view!
So besides fast rides and long lines, what else was the “biggest” amusement park in Chile not so big on? Consumerism. Read about a day trip to South America’s second-largest amusement park, Fantisilandia.
It’d be a sin to stop in Mendoza and not go wine tasting. Since Dad and I would do nothing of the sort, we booked the best tour in town with Trout and Wine. We were treated to an all-day private tour with a wonderful English-speaking guide who accompanied us to four local vineyards that served us their top shelf and a fabulous lunch.
While my dad was in Santiago, we decided to escape the city for a few days, so he could see other parts of South America. We took a 6-hour bus ride across the Andes to Mendoza, Argentina — a quiet wine town set in beautiful country. It was a great trip for us to explore a place we had never been before, together.
Everyone seems to ask me the same question since I’ve moved far from home. I usually dodge the question. But given that today is the Fourth of July and so many people are dying to know, I really pondered what it is I miss about the United States. Here’s my list in no particular order.
My dad pointed out every stray dog, many of whom were sporting very stylish winter sweaters — thanks to the concerned Chilean public. He seemed pleasantly surprised that people never exited the elevator without saying goodbye or “chau.” And he laughed when he saw that every restaurant served hot dogs … and mayonnaise. As he noticed all these little things that have become so “regular” in my life, I realized just how much I have learned and adjusted in Santiago.
When you think of living abroad, you might imagine living in a fantasy. The truth is, that’s often not the case … and that’s a fact I’ve struggled with in the past months. But — I am happy.
