Chile – Fake Flamenco

Argentina, bilingual, Chile, En español, history, Spanish Culture and Language, World Cup

When your Arch-Rival Reaches the World Cup Finals

You may have noticed my focus on Latin America, South America in particular. This started twenty years ago when we lived in Santiago, Chile for a year. The economic and sports rivalry between Chile and Argentina was palpable. (En español más adelante) In the past, Argentinians visited Santiago, asked the price for shoes for example, […]

bilingual, Chile, En español, history, Immigration, Spanish Culture and Language, The Americas

Who Was the Schindler of Bolivia?

A recently unearthed secret is that a tin baron in Bolivia paid for thousands of Jews’ transportation from Europe to South America during World War II. Although he saved the lives of 9000 to 22,000 Jews between 1938 and 1941, he was not generally known for his kindness. His reputation was solely as a harsh […]

Chile, En español, Nature, Spanish Culture and Language, The Americas, travel

Southern Cross Stargazing Repost by Sally Cronin

Thanks to Sally Cronin for reposting my article about seeing the Southern Cross for the first time. The countryside of Southern Chile was the perfect place to see this famous constellation. See Sally’s Smorgasbord website for the complete bilingual article. Observando la cruz del sur, republicado por Sally Cronin Gracias a Sally Cronin por republicar […]

bilingual, Chile, En español, history, Spanish Culture and Language

Stuck on Page 49

Sunday, thirteen million Chileans voted on the first new constitution since the dictatorship. The Constitutional Congress worked for a calendar year on the document. In Santiago, huge rallies filling long city streets three days before the plebiscite showed huge numbers in favor of “Apruebo,” I approve. By 8 pm on September 4, the votes were […]

bilingual, Chile, En español, history, Indigenous Peoples, Spanish Culture and Language, The Americas

New Chilean Constitution Vote Sunday September 4

For Chileans, the most important vote this year will be Sunday; to ratify or reject the new democratic Constitution. The 170+ page document carefully crafted over 12 months by the Constitutional Congress, guaranties rights to Chileans young and old, with and without resources, and to all ethnicities and genders. The Constitution specifically ensures the rights […]

bilingual, Chile, En español, Nature, travel

Chile: Southern Cross for the 1st Time

Musicians Crosby, Stills and Nash planted a seed in my mind with their song, “Southern Cross”. When would I see that famous constellation? Where would I be? Evan and I arrived in Santiago, Chile in August of 2001. As we entered into our first summer in the southern hemisphere, smog and light pollution kept us […]