Chile Forum

I have been in Antofagasta for a couple of moths now, my first impression was that its a really dirty town unless your on the south side of it. A lot strat dogs too.
Well eventually I got over how ugly the city was, which was the only thing I disliked about Antofa.
During winter here the days are warm but sometimes windy, the nights are really cold. But on summer its really warm.

Did anyone who moved to Antofa know spanish before or did you learn it there? Could someone give me tips where to find a spanish teacher/course in Antofagasta?

Visa's have been lodged. YEAH!! so we have a few weeks waiting now- but will be holidaying.

Manucho- would the international school (I think it is an English school) have any information about this? I am having lessons there when I arrive as I don't have any Spanish- but not sure on these details yet. My Husband is fluent (grew up in Chile). I am sure we can help each other out when we get there.

Manucho, there is a place called the Andia Institute that does it for sure. Also we have a lady who comes to the house for my kids, I am not sure exactly the name or contact details of her company (they do adults too). I have basic spanish, from a year or so in Santiago, but will get more lessons when we are settled. I'll get some better details for you and post it later. Any of the places that advertise to teach english will likely teach spanish too, and if you have any spare time they may even trade you hours for teaching english in return.

This is a great thread. Reading it ... I kind of feel like the Romper Room lady looking at many of the AllChile personalities.

AussieMum wrote:Hi everyone.

Rune, as court jester, keeps us laughing and looking back at ourselves.

El P provides the first slap of the sword. Then letting go of the newcomer's ankle, he offers beautiful prosaic insight into a reality of life in Chile.

Vicki and Greg gets it down to earth.Vicki and Greg: always civil, contextual.

Helibel connects for us the superficial disparities of the forum's posts. She reveals for the newcomer (and revels in) deeper relationships spreading across time and throughout the Chile Forum.

And ak405 is his typically real self. (Northern hearts aren't necessarily colder in the States. So the North of Chile hasn't changed him in this way.)

I agree with him it is possible that "everything" one needs or wants to know is already somewhere in the forum. But I also think it is nice when advice and feedback are still offered, even when possibly existing deeper in the forum.

ak405 wrote:

AussieMum wrote:What do I really need to know prior to the move and what is Antofagasta like?

Everything you need to know prior to your move is on the forum somewhere (at least the important stuff).

But let me ask, surely across time don't even some of the nuts and bolts of "Moving to Chile" possibly change? I doubt moderator El P or anyone is gonna dredge up dated posts and amend info as the real world changes. What kind of inquiring or educated mind could actually know for sure which nuts and bolts have changed or which remain the same? It seems valid to me for someone to risk asking again ... and maybe, just maybe, some new and useful stuff will come out. Perhaps a relative newcomer, after a thread is hashed into more detail, will be able to offer some fresh insight into changed or changing nuts and bolts of moving to Chile.

I also understand that ak was not trying to shut down the thread, or qwell the intention of the original poster to gain insight through it.

In this thread, by the way, I really, really enjoyed reading later posts about the Chiquita party mix, 80's mine nationalization drama, etc. Great stuff.

Personally I find it a bit useless when a thread goes completely old-timer (and/or dry) a bit after a broad sword-slap or sharp ankle nip hits a newcomer. I doubt, and doubt hopefully, that an adult would be required to endure insult or sarcasm to get the help they want here or anywhere. But such is life, sometimes. And such can be the written word, bereft as it is of non-verbal ques indicating deeper intent. So credit to aussie mom for hanging in there. Credit to all else for centering the keel of the thread according to the stated purpose of the forum, the thread's purpose, and the original poster's need.

Finally, I especially appreciate ak's point that maybe aussie mom just needed to "talk", and not so much to get advice.

It looks to me she got more than a satisfaction of her need to talk: she got great advice. Plus possibly even new friends and contacts, too.

^^ Sure did. We are just relaxing and visiting family before heading off to Chile- (when the Visa's finally get back)

Thanks everyone again.

mlightheart wrote: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.

FWIW --
PX = "post exchange" = military
BX = "base exchange" = air force
Ship's store = naval (also, sometimes & unofficially, "BX").
All are miniature department stores ("commissaries" are military equivalents of supermarkets).

To those worrying about moving to Antofagasta, don't worry - it is a top town. As others have pointed out, the southern parts are the nicest, and there are some stunning homes available. There are plenty of English speakers (lots of engineers, the British School and the universities makes sure of this). My castellano is pretty bad, but getting better, if more chilean.

I visit because my polola lives in Antofagasta. In fact, I'll be there between late July and September if any forum members fancy meeting up for a beer (not Cristal!) and some tucker.

I hope to relocate there in late 2010

Hi
I have lived in Antofagasta for one and a half years now, so i guess I know my way around the place pretty well. I have just started a Garage here called British Garage Services. So if you live here or are coming here send me a message and i can give you some contact details and answer any questions you may have.
Personally I love Antofagasta, Not surprising when you come from Dreary cold and wet U.K.