Chile Forum

I am sorry if I have taken anything out of context but in my original post I have said that my Husband grew up in Chile. The fact that he has family and friends in Chile (who are Chilean) would mean that my expat experience would surely not fit the normal mould (if there is one). It seems that I have been pidgeonholed. That is all.

I understand that moving to a foregin will change you- it should change you. You should have a different perspective on things and certainly a move to a foreign country where the language is different it will. I have travelled a little and even from that I think I have changed- experiencing a different culture is an amazing experience.

Vicki and Greg Lansen wrote:... I thought what he was saying ...

The majority of ancient texts (well, texts of a certain kind ) tend to have some sort of commentary. Then, someone would comment on the commentary. Then someone else would comment again on the previous commentary and on the original one. Then.. then our text reads: "I thought what he was saying..", "I thought what he was saying..", "I thought what he was saying..".....

RuneTheChookcha wrote:

Vicki and Greg Lansen wrote:... I thought what he was saying ...

The majority of ancient texts (well, texts of a certain kind ) tend to have some sort of commentary. Then, someone would comment on the commentary. Then someone else would comment again on the previous commentary and on the original one. Then.. then our text reads: "I thought what he was saying..", "I thought what he was saying..", "I thought what he was saying..".....

I think what Rune is saying is that he thought that when I said I thought what El P. was sayin, that Aussie thought that El. P. was saying something that I think El. P needed no 'splaining but thought I'd say what I thought he said and Rune thinks I just confused things...but I was just sayin'.

PX - post exchange, a place where you can get goods like laundry soap (tide), alcoholic beverages (jaegermiester or other), peanut butter (skippy natural is good), etc. Did I mention guns too? Ooops, forget that.

BX - is base exchange, which is similar to a PX. From what I have seen a PX is usually what they call them at naval bases, and BX is what it is called at airforce/army bases. US terms.

I guess both are akin to a company store.

What I think that el P is saying, is that we have seen this sort of post where the person has asked for advice and then has bluntly stated later that they were going to do what they intended to do in the first place. That was an interesting round of events.

I see I am kind of slow in my posting my reply.

Time to 'fess up and admit that I thought this was one of those more q&a type forums, quite glad it isn't, but it's a learning curve for the newcomers... have patience we'll either get with the program or not, I guess! Insightful aren't I?

Thanks for the anecdote about the old man from Antofagasta, incredible that all that really wasn't that long ago. Being the only gringa around (as far as I know, but then again haven't been out seeking others, not sure how one would do that), so far I have found everyone to be incredibly warm and welcoming - which I had been warned they would not be by the many Santiaguanos (??) who regaled me with such warnings as "mas norte, mas frio su corazon". Perhaps though that warmth does come partly because I am not in a "gringo clique" and that I can speak some (pretty bad) spanish.

I'll defnitely take great pleasure in meeting any new gringos, and especially gringas that come along, but am loving getting to know some chilenas too. Thanks also for clearing up the lingo I didn't understand, seems far less interesting now, think I'll read on in the forum and learn a lot more while I'm here...

Slapped wrist is healing nicely, though I am only too pleased to have provided a little entertainment for the onlookers.

Steph

Ahhhh, just a bit of friendly hazing, with a little anticipation thrown in. I'm truly glad you hung in there and didn't fly the forum coop.

Well this thread certainly got a bit crazy since I left! I almost entirely stayed away from the internet on my trip to the US so I have some catching up to do. Seeing as I live in Antofagasta this is the best place to start. I will start off by saying that toward the end of my trip home I was looking forward to coming back to Chile.

I spent a little over two weeks at home (Wisconsin) with family and friends. I didn't get the whole "you've changed so much" except for when people were telling me I lost weight. I expected to find an economic crisis, but all I found was the same old USA with a couple more for sale signs in front of houses than usual. I noticed that my friends & family hadn't changed much, my hometown hadn't changed much, but I had changed (for the better I like to think). At times I felt strange in my own country. There were a few specific examples where I noticed the positive affect Chile has had on me: like listening to a power lunch where the participants could only talk about stuff disgusted me: pure materialism. OR, my friends would get angry if service was a little slow just like I used to - now I just patiently smile and think about how it could be and how they have no idea... I still plan to return to my home in a year or so for good, but I disagree with Steph that expats need to prepare for the trip to the home country, especially in Chile. I know a few people who came with the intention of returning and are here permanently.

When I arrived over seven months ago I didn't know what to expect. Obviously our situations are pretty much opposite: I'm a single guy that speaks the language. I think that the anticipation was the toughest. Once you actually get here you won't have time to worry about anything, my first few weeks were spent just trying to base myself in my new home. I didn't get homesick for a month! There were plenty of times where I would think that this or that is so much easier/better in the US, but I tried as best I could to keep that attitude to myself, and as time wore on I was able to just laugh at things that I perceived as worse than the US and tell myself "only in Chile." The last trip home changed me as far as Chile is concerned as well. The Chilean version of me loves where I live, is extremely comfortable here and won't be getting homesick again. I have a few friends, mostly from work, but only one is another gringo. He is one of those that is here for the long haul by the way.

Aussiemum: I think your one day at a time attitude is perfect in your situation, and perfect for Antofagasta. As far as the advice thing goes, maybe talking about your move is all that you needed, not so much advice. I surmise that it has been very therapeutic for you to get on this forum and voice your concerns. You are going to love it here, it might just take you a while to realize it.

Thanks for the advice everyone. It is always healthy to get someone elses point of view on a situation.

ak405- I think you hit the nail on the head- I think I really just needed to express my concerns about moving. I have found it very helpful to discuss this with people other then my Husband and his family.

el puelche wrote:... I was living in another town in the 4th region...

... I turned into the small "man door" that was configured into the gigantic entrance gate of my shop ...

.. and that shop.. in another town in the 4th region.. had probably a small room selling Persian carpets.. that were decorated with vicuñas.. so I believe..

mlightheart wrote: From what I have seen a PX is usually what they call them at naval bases, and BX is what it is called at airforce/army bases.

When I was a soldier (Army) w-a-a-a-a-y long ago, we had a PX = Post Exchange.

I think we need to suggest that people read 50-100 of Ps posts before they even think of thinking about Chile and a few dozen Rune postings so no one gets the wrong idea that this is JUST a Q&A type forum. I've been away!

We are getting closer and closer to our move. Meeting with the Consulate Tomorrow for our Visa Interviews. This will not be an issue already as the appropriate authorities in Chile already know of our intended move to Chile and are expecting the Visa Applications. Before heading over we are off for a quick trip to visit family and friends before leaving.