A few months back I started this blog series- ‘A Little Look at my Expat Life’ for several reasons. First, I was in a major blogging slump and really trying to find something to get me excited about this little part of my life again. I was feeling unmotivated and discouraged, and frankly, without many travel plans on the horizon, I felt like I was running out of topics to passionately write about.
Second, during this whole ‘mini-blogging crisis’ of mine, I came to the realization that ‘Hey, I live in Santiago, Chile- and that’s pretty damn cool.’ I realized that while I may not have many crazy travels to write about, I hadn’t thoroughly covered my life in Santiago yet. While my everyday routine here might seem somewhat boring and mundane to me now, to you guys out there reading this, it’s something different.
So, anyway, I asked you all (& my followers on Instagram) for some ideas. ‘What did you all want to know about life in Santiago, Chile?’
One of the questions I got from Lorna over at The Painted Globe was- ‘What shocked or surprised you about life in Santiago?”
And well, this is a loaded answer. MANY things shocked me about life in Santiago. Before moving down here, I had never even set foot in South America. This was a whole new world to me. Some things good, some things, well, not so good, and some just different. While I don’t think I could ever cover each and every one in just one post, here are my main Santiago Shockers:
The Sheer Size of Santiago
After stepping off a 10-hour overnight flight, scrambling with all my luggage to find a transfer and later trying to find our hostel, checking in, dropping our bags and all the while in a half-asleep- ‘oh my god I just moved to Chile’– daze, my friend Mandy and I decided it was time to go exploring. We walked a few blocks down the street and found a cable-car scaling a hill in the middle of Santiago called ‘Cerro San Cristobal.” My first fluid thought after really seeing Santiago from above for the very first time- ‘HOLY SH*T this city is freakin’ humongous.’ Or as my friend Mandy put it- “now that’s what I call an urban sprawl!”
The Santiago Smog
After looking around and taking in the scene a bit- my second fluid thought was- why the heck is it SO foggy?! From where we were standing, at a vantage point overlooking a good part of the city, you could hardly see the surrounding mountains. I later found out that I was wrong and that this thick ‘fog’ was actually smog. And yes, Santiago and Smog seem to be very fond friends. After long stints without rain, that smog sure does build….
The Andes Mountains
Thankfully, every once in a while, that persistent smog does lift. And let me tell you, what you’re left with is one INCREDIBLE scene. Santiago’s mountainous backdrop makes for one dramatic skyline. I’ve lived here for a year and a half now, and (when I can see them) these mountains still surprise me every day. I’m talking daily jaw-dropping awe. Actually, I wrote a whole post about my love for the Santiago skyline!
You’re not Supposed to Flush the Toilet Paper
So apparently in South America, you’re NOT supposed to flush the toilet paper. Something that no one really seems to talk about before arriving. Of course there are exceptions, and newer buildings around the city have pipes and plumbing designed to handle this situation, but man did this throw me off. I didn’t even realize for the first few days and just continued to go about my business. No, I didn’t read all those warning signs plastered around the hostel bathrooms. What can I say? I’m a rebel …
Santiago’s Stray Dogs
One thing that I still have very mixed feelings about here in Santiago is the number of stray dogs on the streets. On one hand, it’s really sad and hard for me to see so many homeless pups roaming around. On the other hand, the people in this city really do care for them. These dogs are fed in abundance and even spoiled with toys and dressed in clothing. During the winter months you’re sure to encounter a bunch of happy pups running around in coats and circle scarves!
What even further surprised me was the, for lack of a better word, ‘quality’ of these street dogs. There are full bred Retrievers and Huskies, even smaller breeds like Dachshunds and Chihuahuas just running around free in the streets. These dogs would cost you a pretty penny back in the States. Also, for the most part, they’re very well behaved and more friendly than most house dogs I know!
Chilean Cuisine
I have to admit, I had not a clue what to expect as far as food goes before making my way to Chile. I had heard that avocados were plenty (& cheap), but that’s as far as my knowledge (and my research) stretched. What I later learned about Chilean cuisine when I got here, was pretty damn shocking! Let’s just start by saying that Chileans LOVE sugar. And Mayo. And red meat. They call their hotdogs ‘completos’ and douse them with various sauces. Did I mention Mayo? Also, ‘salad’ usually means tomato or onion, or some mix of the two on a plate. As far as drinks go, soda and fizzy water are the norm……
I know what you’re thinking, the US doesn’t have the best food rep either. And no, Chilean Cuisine is not all bad! Avocados sure are readily available and for a fraction of the price at home! I also really love a dish called “Pastel de Choclo,” which is almost like a chicken pot pie, but in my opinion, a lot sweeter. OH AND manjar and alfajores! ….. I’ll stop here, because I could ramble on for a whole post on this subject alone. (One day soon I probably will!)
Chilean Temblores
Of alllllll the shock above, (and everything I didn’t even list), I have to say Chile’s “temblores” or tremors, AKA EARTHQUAKES where I’m from, probably shocked me the most.
Before moving to Santiago, I had only ever felt one earthquake (if you can even call the mild earth shake that took place while I was getting my wisdom teeth pulled an “earthquake”). Now, a seasoned Santiaguiña, I can say my number is somewhere around 10! I’ve even lost count! Thankfully, the buildings here are built to withstand and even succumb to the movement, but I have to admit, each and every time, I still get pretty uneasy.
For an inside look at what shocked me about life in Santiago, and to hear from some of my expat friends, tune into my Instagram story today!
Have you ever moved somewhere where the lifestyle shocked you? From reading this post, what about life in Santiago shocked you the most? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
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The toilet paper thing would totally freak me out. I would conveniently not notice the signs too! The food sounds delish (if a little tooth rotting) but as for those pups, I think I would just have to take one home. Smog aside, I’ve seen lots of your pics and been blown away by the beauty of Santiago.
interesting read:)
I actually had some similar shocks about Taiwan – earthquakes, stray dogs, and the no-flush TP rule. we get smog here as well, and for the first two years I just thought some days were so humid you couldn’t see, ha! but then when it lifts you can see the mountains [not quite as big as the Andes] and that’s my favorite.
I really love this series and I’m glad you got out of the slump and found a way to make your everyday life feel exciting again. I think most expats go through stretches like that. even though it’s home to you, Chile and Santiago are still pretty foreign for most of us 🙂
ummmmm if you’re not supposed to flush the toilet paper, where should it it go? The trash can? haha This is definitely new for me! But poppin’ a squat over squaters is also not better. And I can imagine how shocking the earthquakes are if you’re not used to them! Coming from Cali, I kinda actually miss them haha #WanderfulWednesday
That toilet paper thing always throws me off when I visit other countries! That is so interesting about the stray dogs. You would think if you were going to clothe a dog you might as well adopt it? I remember experiencing earthquakes when I was a kid growing up in South America. That’s probably the last time I felt one.
Ok first a side note… from the photo in the thumbnail for this post it looks like you’re holding up your hand like you just got engaged. And the title of the post is “shocking” sooo… for a second there I was like WAIT, WHAT?! Hhaha, but ANYWAY. I love this little expat series of yours and I’m happy it helped get you out of your blogging slump 🙂 I can’t believe there are dachshunds and retrievers running around as street dogs???! What?? That would shock me as well!
I don’t think that I would have realized how big of a city Santiago was either if it wasn’t for reading your blog! And I can’t get over how picturesque it is too with the Andes Mountains near the city as well! I never would have thought that you couldn’t flush toilet paper! I wouldn’t have even thought about it!
I think this series highlights interesting things about a destination that you wouldn’t necessarily think about. I’d be super uneasy with the tremors as well! I lived in California for 5 years and that was enough for me!
xo
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
YES! I love this so much because it’s so close to home! It’s crazy how you tremors just become normal! And all of that salt, sugar and mayo… oh my!!!
The toilet paper in the bin. We’ve been to a few countries where that’s the nrom and it takes awhile to get out of your habit…it’s funny, isn’t it? I always wonder if they’re disgusted we throw it in the toilet when here? As for the food, I think we eat everything here but when you travel, you realised how particular your food (tastes) are. I discover how much Asian food we eat, but when we’re in Asia, I realise it’s an Australian version of Asian, not the real Thai or Vietnamese at all.
I hope to be visiting Santiago within the next half year. The red meat thing is very similar to what my daughter found in Argentina. I don’t think the stray dogs were as well tended to in Argentina but she had 3 family dogs where she stayed.
I love all the surprises you discover when you move to a new country/city :). It’s so interesting about the street dogs! I’m not surprised about the dogs, but that they are fed and clothed! That’s so nice.
I liked seeing this uniquely Santiaguan things! I had thought about teaching there for a little while but then I heard one too many earthquake stories 😛 But as you said, the buildings are made to be pretty tremor-resistant…
You know I love these episodes and this one was particularly exciting to watch! The toilet paper thing still blows my mind, lol! And do you ever worry about getting sick due to the smog? I think that would really freak me out..