an index to africamuse's experiences of Chile

africamuse's travels - experiencing chile

AN INDEX TO MY EXPERIENCES IN CHILE

created: Sunday 3 September 2000

While ordering my pages, I suddenly realised that a fairly large proportion of my site is connected in some way with my life in Chile. For those of my visitors who have a particular interest in Chile, I thought I would put together a list of all my internal links, as well as a few useful links to external Chilean pages.

Enjoy!

The most romantic, but saddest, poem I have ever come across - Poema Veinte by Chilean Nobel prizewinner Pablo Neruda, in the original Spanish with an excellent English translation.
A very brief look at my first visit to Chile in June 1998, with photographs.
A report of one of the most amazing, unforgettable travel experiences I have ever had (and I have had quite a few!) - our visit to Easter Island / Isla de Pascua / Rapanui, also in June 1998, with photographs.
Poetry written by Pablo Neruda on Easter Island, in English and the original Spanish.
When I moved to Chile (I lived there from September 1998 to September 1999), I used this page to 'blow off steam' during my time of cultural adjustment.
Tips for the visitor - things to do and places to see in Santiago de Chile, including ideas for day and weekend trips outside the capital, with photographs.
A detailed travel report of our visit to San Pedro de Atacama, the Salar de Atacama and the Altiplano in the desert north of Chile in May 1999, with photographs.
Six weeks after leaving Chile for Ireland, nostalgia set in - read about my recollections of living in Chile.
An index to my personal photo album - many of the early pictures are general pics from my life in Chile.
Do you have an opinion about the ethics of displaying human remains, eg. Andean mummies, in museums? Read what other visitors have said and add your opinion.

Things I have done on my travels through life...

EXTERNAL LINKS

Language Institutes

The Goethe Institute
A reasonably-priced German Institute which offers excellent intensive Spanish courses in a relaxed, friendly environment - I don't know how I would have managed without them!

Travel Destinations

Easter Island Home Page
Information, pictures, maps, music, resource lists ....a GREAT site on Easter Island / Rapa Nui / Isla de Pascua.

Women's Associations

International Professional Women's Association, Chile
English speaking women interested in professional and personal development

La Leche League, Chile
offers bilingual support and friendship for breastfeeding mothers.
Unfortunately their website is down at the moment.

Useful Books from Amazon.com

Latin American Spanish Phrasebook

OR BUY IT FROM AMAZON.CO.UK!

I cannot tell you how much this little book helped me in my first visit to Chile and my first months after I settled here in 1998. I have never thought of myself as the 'phrasebook' type, and would probably never have bought it myself, but Roberto sent it to me in South Africa along with the Lonely Planet Guide to Chile and Easter Island (another GREAT book), and it got me through transits in Argentina, basic purchases and necessary conversations, in a time when the only Spanish I knew was some words I had picked up from really bad westerns as a kid, and Hola, tu cara es como de monito, gracias, adios!(long story).

It amazed me how many useful phrases and words were included in such a small, easy to carry book. And how spot on the compilers were! For my first visit and about two months of my living here, there wasn't a single word which I needed and could not find. Words typical to particular countries are included. In fact, I actually managed to teach myself a fair amount from this little book.

As well as the more usual type of words and phrases, it includes a number of useful sections, designed for handicapped travellers, travellers for small children, gay travellers, people looking for work, encounters with the police, and a great deal more. One thing I had to laugh at was the section entitled Dating and Romance. It includes such pertinent phrases as Por favor, no pare ("Please, don't stop") and Dame un beso ("Kiss me!") as well as a handy section called Afterwards with phrases like No puedes quedarte aqui esta noche ("You can't sleep here tonight").

Other useful books for those interested in Chile:

Lonely Planet
Guide to Chile and Easter Island