Chile’s isolation from other countries has helped spare this country the worst of the diseases and pests that wreak havoc among most farming communities in the Western Hemisphere, allowing more healthy crops to be produced on the country’s limited farmland.

Crop farming is done almost exclusively in the central valley, with crops as diverse as:

• grapes
• apples
• pears
• peaches
• wheat
• corn
• onions
• tomatoes
• oats
• beans
• garlic
• asparagus

The Vineyards

Chile has gone from having only 12 vineyards in 1995 to now being the fifth largest exporter of wine in the world. Vineyards are concentrated in the Southern part of the country and cover an 800-mile stretch from the Atacama region to the Bio-Bio region. Unlike many vineyards in other countries Chile’s vineyards have remained free of the Phylloxera louse, which means that Chilean vines don’t have to be grafted.

The wines that are made in Chile include:

• Sauvignon
• Merlot
• Cabernet
• Carménère

Family Farms

Family farms are extremely common in Chile, with many of these small farmers producing fruit, vegetables, and even meat for their families. Incomes in Chile are still often quite low, but the people of this country often find enjoyment in living a simpler lifestyle close to nature.

Aquaculture

South of the Central Valley in Chile you will find many cattle and sheep farms. However, the most prosperous farming is not done on land, but rather in the water. Aquaculture is fundamentally important to the economy of Chile and this country’s Salmon farms raise roughly a third of all the Salmon produced worldwide. In addition to Salmon farming there are also Perch, Turbot, Mollusk and Oyster farms in Chile.

Most of the aquaculture farming is done in the southern part of the country, in the Los Lagos region. In 2007, this industry suffered a devastating blow when the fish got infected with a virus and they had to destroy much of the fish being raised here. But after 2010 newer standards and stricter regulations were put in place, and now aquaculture farming is back.

Picture by chileaktiv

There are a variety of popular Viña del Mar attractions in and around the city. There is an art deco casino, several museums including a museum of fine arts and one dedicated to native villages, many fine restaurants and an abundance of shopping. However there are many places that are must-see stops on a visit to Viña De Mar. Here are a few of the attractions you might want to take special note of.

Reñaca Beach

Reñaca beach is just five miles from the city of Viña De Mar. Along the route there are spectacular views of the water and small coves for swimming.

Reñaca beach itself is a large and popular beach used by surfers. Those who enjoy nature will find a variety of beach views and will be able to watch seals at play. The seals themselves are a great reason to visit the beach.

One of the things that makes Reñaca beach such a popular place to visit while in Viña de Mar is that the area is filled with great restaurants and shops that sell all types of trinkets. It is a great place to buy souvenirs.

Wulff Castle

For those who are interested in history, architecture, or simply love castles, Wulff castle is a sight worth seeing. Built in the 19th century, this castle has a wonderful old round turret and a backdrop of the ocean. There is a doll display as well as ongoing art exhibits you can enjoy. And the views from the stairs are phenomenal. Many people enjoy visiting the castle because it is free and they can observe pelicans flying and standing on the rocks.

Flower Clock

For those who love nature and gardens, the Flower Clock of Viña de Mar is a sight worth seeing. This working clock is made up entirely of flowers and is best seen from a height to get the full beauty of this garden clock.

Jardín Botánico Nacional

The Jardín Botánico Nacional (National Botanical Garden) is large botanical garden teeming with many interesting plants and beautiful flowers. It is well worth a visit for those who enjoy quiet strolls and a beautiful atmosphere.

Cerro Castillo

Cerro Castillo, also known as castle hill, is where the president’s summer home is located. While you can only get close to this castle-like mansion once a year, the area is still worth visiting as there are many older homes with beautiful gardens to see. It is a delightful walk for those who love old homes and want to enjoy a bit of the city’s history.

Favorite Viña del Mar Attractions

With all of these (any many more) Viña del Mar attractions, you shouldn’t get bored on your visit.

Have you already been to Viña? What was your favorite thing to see?

Picture by Beatrice Murch

But if you would like to spend weekends away from the city there are many attractions within driving distance that would make for excellent weekend getaways while admiring both the natural beauty as well as the history of the region.

A great weekend excursion is a visit to the Nevado Tres Cruces National Park. This park is situated in the Andean foothills and is a conservatory for the birds and animals that inhabit this area. The perfect conditions of this park have enabled the survival of the birds and animals in the area. This park is also where you will find the Santa Rosa Lagoon, the Maricunga Salt Plain and the Francisco Black Lagoon. The Santa Rosa Lagoon, though small in size, has an interesting ecosystem, and you can get to see flamingos, ducks, Andean gulls and other birds here. The Maricunga Salt Plain has many interesting birds and animals, while the Francisco Black lagoon has meadows and wetlands surrounding it and you can get to see a variety of birds.

About 55 miles away is the Viña Del Cerro. This was an Inca settlement dating from the 15th century and is a national monument. This Inca settlement was also a foundry and today it has been restored.

About 85 miles to the southwest of the city you can find Cascada Rio Lamas. This is a beautiful spot on the Rio Lamas with abundant wildlife, and it is also one of the water sources that flow into the Maricunga salt flats.

About 45 miles to the south of the city is the Chañarcillo mine, which was discovered in 1832. This discovery kicked off a silver rush in Chile and served as an important part of Chile’s economy. This area is worth visiting for its historical significance although it is a bit of ghost town today.

If you are into mountain climbing, then a must is the Ojos del Salado Volcano. It is about 175 miles to the northeast of the city and is one of the highest points in the Andean Mountains. This is one of the reasons that climbers like to climb this mountain.

To the west are beaches like the Bahia Inglesa and the beach resorts of Norte Chico where you can enjoy the sea, sand, and some delicious seafood.

Have you already been to this area of Chile? What are some of your favorite places to visit near Copiapo?

Picture by Juan Eduardo Edwards Diaz

Nobel Prize Winners

The list includes poets like Pablo Neruda and Gabriela Mistral, whose works have won the Nobel Prize, and whose homes and birthplaces are museums for pilgrims of Chilean literature. English translations of Pablo Neruda’s works are easy to find, but there do not seem to be many copies of Mistral’s works in English.

Contemporary Chilean Authors

Contemporary Chilean authors have also earned international fame, though the most famous is the novelist Isabel Allende with her ‘The House of the Spirits,” “Of Love and Shadows” and “Eva Luna” being international best sellers. Luis Sepulveda, with his stylishly written short novels like “The Old Man Who Read Love Stories,” combines travel writing with imaginative fiction and is getting to be a popular author.

Authors like Eduardo Barrio and Joaquin Edwards Bello wrote contemporary fiction that was naturalist based, and this trend continues with the realism of Manual Rojas and in the works of Fernando Alegria. Other authors like Juan Emar and Jose Donoso have contemporary novels and stories which are bold and powerful and show the imagination of these authors.

When it comes to Chilean authors and the literature they have produced, both poetry as well as novels and stories, you find that they have not only written about the Chilean society and addressed its problems, but have also written fiction that is acclaimed internationally.

New Generation of Authors

With a new generation of authors and poets emerging in Chile, there is a new breath being incorporated in the literature today. Not only are these authors writing about the changes in society but they are also bringing about a whole new world of fiction. We have authors who are known for their spy fiction as well as tales about the police and also tales with seedy characters. Some of these authors have had their works translated into English and their books are available almost anywhere in the world.

Contemporary poets come from the southern part of Chile and they have contributed much to the renewal of poetry by adding fresh and interesting voices in Chilean literature. Chilean poetry has gained a new lease on life, thanks to the modern poets who stand out with their powerful language and write about pop culture, music, films, arts and philosophy.

Chilean authors have put Latin America on the world map with their literature and poetry. Not only have they had prize-winning poets but their authors have proved that they have what it takes to produce novels and literature that are internationally acclaimed. And with a new breed of authors and poets entering the scene of literature, it is hoped that they continue on the successful path that brought Chilean literature to the world.

Lots of Options

Depending on your situation and your budget, there are many good places to live in Santiago. You can find apartments to share as well as houses for rent in the city or only a short commute from the city. As a student on a limited budget you will find many simple apartments in Santiago Centro which would suit you. Though these apartments do not boast many luxuries they are very close to the universities and are ideal for the student.

Living with Family

If you are moving with your family and have children accompanying you, one of the best places to find a house is in the Lo Barnechea area. This is a locality where many expatriates and diplomats live. It is a very secure and safe neighborhood and you can find gated communities here with golf and tennis facilities. Though this is an upper-class residential area and the rents are much higher, it is a beautiful place to live with your family.

Alternatives

Other good places to live in are Providencia, La Dehesa and Alto La Condes. These are localities where you will feel at home because there are many Americans and expatriates who live here. There are also many schools in these areas that have English-speaking teachers. Though the rents vary in all these localities, they are generally a bit on the higher side, and you would have to do a bit of research to find a house that suits your budget.

Getting Specific Recommendations

Your move to Santiago, Chile, should not have you worried as to where you can find a decent place to live. With a bit of research you will find just the kind of place that suits your needs. There are areas and places that suit all budgets, right from apartments to houses with gated communities.

For other ideas on where you could live, check out these forums and ask about specific parts of town:

AllChile.net
TripAdvisor’s Chile Forum

Picture by Robert Cutts

Many Chilean food dishes combine several delicious ingredients at once. The classic bistec a lo pobre, which roughly translates as “poor man’s steak,” simply piles on the tasty ingredients.

While the bistec a lo pobre isn’t uniquely Chilean, it is a very popular dish in Chile. You’ll find similar dishes throughout South America.

Ingredients

To make a bistec a lo pobre, you’ll need these ingredients:

thinly cut sirloin steak

thinly sliced onion

french fries (or potatoes to make them)

garlic

eggs

Vegetable oil for frying

Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Bistec a lo Pobre

This dish requires that you prepare each of the elements and then combine them together.

First, prepare the french fries. You can cheat and use prepackaged fries if you like. Otherwise, slice up your potatoes and fry them in oil. Once cooked, put them in the oven at about 200 degrees to keep them warm.

Second, sauté the onions until they are carmelized and they turn a clear golden brown. Remove the onions from the heat and keep them warm in the oven too.

Chop up your garlic or use a garlic press and apply the garlic and seasonings to your steak. Cook your steak to your taste. Once done, you can put steaks in the oven to keep them warm.

Fry an egg, sunny side up on the stove top.

Stack the ingredients in a pile on a plate. You can pile them on as you please, but I’ve most often seen the french fries as a base, then the steak and onions, followed with the egg on top.

If you have bistec a lo pobre at five different restaurants or homes in Chile, you’ll likely get five slightly different variations. Nevertheless, each dish will have these three pillars: steak, potato, and egg.

This meal is very hearty and will fill you up. Enjoy!

Picture by Mick Taylor taken at the Club Aleman in Frutillar, Chile

What Chile Has To Offer Foreign Students

Chile is a country that has a lot to offer foreign students. The country is steeped in history and has many beautiful places to visit while learning at some great universities. Best of all, Chile has made a real effort to welcome foreign students from the United States, Europe and Asia. A decade ago, most of Chile’s top universities, including the Universidad Católica de Chile and the Universidad de Chile, had less than 200 foreign students attending. Today that total is more than 1,400 and growing.

Because Chilean universities don’t segregate classes, foreign students get the opportunity to study side by side with Chilean students, learning more about the country, culture, and lifestyle. In return, Chilean students get a more open view of the world by mixing and mingling with people of their own age from other countries around the world.

In addition, Chilean universities offer grants and lower fees to encourage foreign students to study in this country, making it affordable to a many foreign students.

Why Study In Chile?

If you are wondering why a foreign student would choose to study in Chile there are really a lot of good reasons. These reasons include:

Chile is a country has offers both mountains and beaches for students to explore in their spare time. It is also a well-developed country that has a lot to offer in the way of quality education, fine restaurants, and an open learning environment.

Chile is the perfect place to study for those wishing to become fluent in Spanish, giving them the opportunity to speak Spanish on a daily basis.

Chilean students are friendly and welcoming, helping foreign students feel right at home in this beautiful country.

In addition, Chile also hosts summer adventure and educational opportunities for high school students interested in attending a Chilean university. These programs usually run about 4 weeks. The students live with a host family, improve their Spanish speaking skills and learn a lot about Chilean art and culture. This summer educational opportunity offers high school students not only the chance to learn about another culture and country, but is also a great way for foreign students who are thinking about taking college courses in Chile to see a little of the country before making a final decision.

The educational opportunities in Chile abound for those students who want to study in a foreign country that has a fine educational system and offers an opportunity for adventure as well as education. Students can learn about a new culture, make new friends and get the experience of a lifetime.

Picture by Ricardo Hurtubia

Firefighters

The first type of bombero is the Chilean firefighter. These brave souls are an all-volunteer army of firefighters spread across the country. The fact that they are not paid is amazing to me. Back home we had mostly full-time firefighters paid for by local taxes. Volunteer firefighters were most common outside of cities in smaller towns or in the country.

Chile has volunteer firefighters in big cities and small ones. If you haven’t had them come help you, you’ve probably seen them fundraising on a busy street corner. After all, they do need to raise money to fund their operations.

In Chile, the bomberos hold a special place in everyone’s heart. I’ve never heard something bad spoken of a them and they are universally trusted.

Gas Stations

When you visit a fueling station in Chile, you’ll encounter the second type of Chilean bombero. This bombero is the attendant that puts gas in your car.

Like their firefighting brethren, these bomberos wear uniforms and are generally very helpful.

You’ll see them at every gas station, and just like the firefighters, they’d appreciate a tip.

So while these two types of bombero are very different, they share some similarities. Typically when talking about them, the context of the discussion will let you know which person is being referenced.

What is your favorite story about a Chilean bombero?

Picture by Tu Foto con el Presidente

Here are some of my favorite Chilean New Year’s Traditions:

Money in Your Shoes

Put money in your shoes (a paper banknote or peso bill might be more comfortable than metal coins). This tradition will bring you financial prosperity next year.

I’m not sure if there is a correlation of how much money you put in your shoes and how much you make in the New Year, but anything is worth a try!

Eat 12 Grapes

Chile is famous for its agriculture and wine production. Enjoy 12 Chilean grapes to predict how the coming 12 months will fare for you. Is each grape sweet or sour? So shall be the associated month next year.

Eat a Spoon of Lentils

If you spend any amount of time in Chile, you’ll eat various bean dishes. So even if you’re sick of beans, save some space for your New Year’s tradition.

As you ring in the new year, eat a few bites of lentils to guarantee a financially prosperous year ahead.

Walk Around with a Suitcase

Are you hoping to travel in the coming year? To ensure that happens, go for a stroll around the block with your suitcase to celebrate the New Year!

Wear Yellow Underwear

Apparently it is lucky to wear yellow underwear inside out as a Chilean New Year’s Eve tradition. You get bonus points if the underwear is a gift and you didn’t purchase it yourself. After the New Year arrives, put them back on the correct way and you’re all set for a great year. (But please don’t wear the same pair all year!)

This tradition brings a great romantic future and a well-stocked wardrobe of clothes for the New Year.

What is your favorite Chilean New Year’s tradition?

Picture by Javier Ignacio Acuña Ditzel

What Is the Barros Luco Sandwich?

The Barros Luco is a Chilean beef sandwich. Basically it consists of slices of steak with a generous serving of melted cheese stuck between bread. The sandwich is served warm with the cheese melted.

However, the art of making a great Barros Luco sandwich varies based on where you eat it. Yes, you could make your own grilled cheese sandwich and add some meat. However, this wouldn’t be true to form and not what you’d likely get in Chile.

In Chile, your Barros Luco sandwich will likely come on pan frica a sizable roll of bread that has been toasted a little on the grill to give it some crunch.

The steak will be thinly sliced beef that has been seasoned to bring out a rich flavor.

This sandwich has no vegetables but I wouldn’t be surprised to see someone put a pile of palta (avocado paste) on one. (Although I haven’t seen this done, it sure sounds delicious. And yes, I know avocado isn’t a vegetable! But it’s green so we’ll count it.)

Where Does the Barros Luco Sandwich Name Come From?

Ramón Barros Luco was president of Chile from 1910 to 1915. He frequented the Union Club where he’d always ask for a steak sandwich with cheese. Thus people started asking for a “Barros Luco” sandwich.

Surprisingly, he is now most well known for the sandwich and not his actual presidency.

The next time you’re in the mood for a good sandwich, ask for the Barros Luco. Yes, you’ll need to roll your double letter ‘r,’ but the food is great and will be worth the effort. Your taste buds will thank your mouth for the effort!

Have you had a Barros Luco? Where did you have the best one you’ve ever tasted?

Picture by ffuentes