To answer your burning question... yes. Chile is chilly. It feels a lot colder than I had been thinking! Granted it's fall here and still in the 60's on a good day, however I think the cold air from the ocean really lowers the temperature. I will for sure be buying another jacket!
Anywho, let's start with some typical Chilean customs. I am allowed to generalize and stereotype because I just got here. :) So:
1. Dogs --- All over the streets. The first time in my life I have seen dogs wearing neck warmers and sweaters - I thought it was a joke the first time I saw it. There are also an abnormally large amount of stray dogs roaming the streets. None of them are neutered and I think the Chileans consider it cruel to put them out of their misery.
2. Food -- Bread, carbs, and a side of bread. Chile is the #2 consumer of bread in the world, after Germany. Served with manjar (dulce de leche) = delicious! And also dangerous. Chile is also the #1 consumer of ice cream in the world - that being said, I've only tried one ice cream place so far and it has been fantastic (try the mousse manjar in Bravissimos in Chile if you ever get the chance).
3. Once [ohn say] -- Meals are a bit different here than in the states. Breakfast is normally a light meal of tea or coffee (instant coffee, mind you, Chileans for sure aren't known for their coffee), bread, fruit, or some sort of cereal. Lunch is the main meal and typically served around 2 or 3 instead of noon. Once often takes the place of dinner at six or seven and normally consists of hot chocolate, tea, coffee, buttered bread or another light snack. La once was a word used by women in the 19th century to secretly refer to aguardiente (11 letters), an alcoholic drink, since they were restricted from drinking alcohol at that time. Once serves as kind of an evening snack/tea time. Dinner is either replaced with once or served late, sometimes 10 to 1 am.
4. Time -- Nobody seems to be in a rush, even in Santiago. I know people talk about the Latin American sense of time being a lot slower than other cultures, but Chileans really know how to keep a chill atmosphere! Even busy street corners here seem peaceful and quiet. It is also socially normal to be 10 to 15 minutes late to gatherings (doesn't apply to the metro or bus though, sorry). If you know me, being in a country where its normal to be late feels like coming home haha.
5. European influence -- From the clothing styles to the architecture to the mannerisms, it is definitely evident that Chile has been impacted by the European way of life. Chile kind of strikes me as the Paris of Latin America (yes, I know that's been said of Argentina too). There is an artsy, fashion forward sort of feel to the places I have visited so far, the architecture is almost Swedish looking in some places, and the metro system definitely boosts the euro feel. It's clearly evident that the U.S. has had it's fair share of influence as well, but compared to Mexico, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua, I was shocked by how different it is.
6. People -- Every single Chilean I have met so far has been extremely welcoming, warm, and genuine. Despite the fact that Chile stretches practically the entire length of South America, the people here seem to find a way to make it feel like a small world in the way they talk and relate to one another. Besides the inevitable piropos (cat calls) bestowed upon gringos, Chileans seem to be shier than most Latin Americans. Often we associate "shy" with introverted and withdrawn, however this shy is different. Chileans seem to be rather curious and willing to talk, just in a softer and less imposing way. I don't think I have seen one angry looking Chilean the whole time I've been here.
As I have only been here for little more than a week, I am sure my perspective is bound to take a spin. Overall, I am so happy to be here and having a great time, chillyness and all!
