Chile is famous for a lot of things. For instance, many Chileans are artful liars, cheaters and thieves. Recent reports show that a full 26% of them evade paying the fare on city buses in Santiago. No one in Chile is surprised by this fact, unless they think that the figure is too low.
Chileans are artistic, entertaining and playful—even clownish, too. At intersections in Santiago and Viña del Mar drivers will frequently see juggling, ventriloquist and gymnastic performances from young people trying to earn some coins as tips.
Chileans also like to joke around and they are inherently conservative socially, other than their propensity to engage in fornication and adultery. Accordingly, they were sanctioned recently by world soccer authority FIFA for the anti-homosexual chants of fans in Santiago stadium during soccer matches, and Chile was hence declared to be the most "homophobic" country in the world.
Those are a few tidbits of information that speak volumes about Chilean life and reality.
Note that in the world maps above tracking the history of hurricanes, they do not occur in Chile or the rest of South America—at least south of the Caribbean coast of Colombia and Venezuela. Chile is thus akin to the west coast of Africa, the western United States and Canada, most of Europe, Africa and Asia. Therefore, while Chile has its share of pitfalls and problems, one need never worry about being impacted by a hurricane while living here.
Given the current worries in the United States, it seemed fitting to broach the subject for people that did not know. Moreover, Americans would do well to remember that as bad as hurricane impacts are or will be, they pale by comparison to the damage inflicted by the United States government, as the present political circus has exemplified.
Until next time,
John Cobin
Escape America Now
This was an interesting article. I visited Chile in 2004 and stayed throughout the country for about months. How long have you been there? What country are you from originally? America? Why did you leave, if it is not too personal. I see your name as Escape America Now. I have been out of the US for over 15 years. Will never go back.
I have been a resident of Chile for over 20 years, although a number of those years I was mostly in the "land of the free." I am a former American. I left on account f rotten pulbic policy and in search of a freer place. Check out my book for details at www.escapeamericanow.info!
No hurricaines in Chile but I think I'd prefer one of those than an earthquake or a volcano going off. My little sister is in Santiago right now and she tells me they have very good marihuana laws.
Really? Chile has the strongest builodings in the world Just consider that we have had (since 2010) three major quakes of 8.8, 8.3 and 8.4. respectively There was some damage and especially in the first of these some deaths (partly due to tsunami deaths after the government passed along bad information). Volcanes have little effect on Chile since prevailing winds send 98% of the trouble to Argentina. In terms of natural disasters, just about any other place in the world is more dangerous than Chile, Paraguay excepted.
You are not the first person who has said to me Paraguay is pretty safe in this respect.
Panama, where we are escaping to, is the same way. No hurricanes, plenty of earthquakes, always the possibility of a volcano.
I visited Chile (for a music festival) many years ago and loved it. Reminds me of the Oregon coast a bit. My wife and I both prefer cooler weather and would have gone there, rather than Panama, if it were not for the fact that all of her family is in Panama.
I cannot stand the climate in Panama either, although it is my second favorite spot in Latin America otherwise. Living in Boquete is better but what can one do there other than retire or sell hot dogs? Chile is a great place to live.
I hear you. Boquete is nice enough but (and I may get flak for this but here it is...) I'm not giving up my life in the US to go live with a bunch of Americans... Even if the climate is somewhat nicer than where we are at (about 1,000' above sea level, but with views of the Pacific). When I was in the Navy I was always the guy who hopped on a bus and explored whatever town I was in while the overwhelming majority of the guys stayed at the base club or went solely to places frequented by, and catering to us.
When it comes right down to it, I genuinely love the Panamanian people. Even if there are some cultural things that I wish might be a bit different.
And we are opening a restaurant (a fonda) and we have a working cattle operation. I'd sell hot dogs, though! ;)
Alot about Chile I didn't know nice post, oh thanks for the upvote I have done the same.
You're welcome! You might also enjoy my other posts on Chile here and on my blog on Chile, EscapeAmericaNow.info.
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