Chile Forum

Hi,

This is my first post. After lurking on this board trawling all the information made by the users, I've decided to register.

Firstly, thank you to everybody for making interesting posts. Even greater thanks to those who take the time to respond to share their experience and views.

I have decided I am moving to Arica as soon as I can. Hopefully I will arrive in Arica within a couple of months, although my planning and preparation for my move is in it's infancy.

If that isn't scary enough, I only know a handful of words in Spanish and I don't have much money. I'll have to learn Spanish and find work when I arrive. I'll also need to find somewhere to live in Arica.

I need advice. I need advice. I'm craving any information on how to best plan my move. I need a mentor and would be extremely grateful for almost anything you'd care to give.

Hugh

My advice... Save up some money. No Spanish and No job I would say Minimum $5000.00 US... if you are frugal with your money that could last you up to 6 months. But that is having 3 home made meals a day... and your entertainment is going for a walk on the beach or running after street dogs. And you will need to find away to apply for your work visa.

And I don’t think Chile is in the business of flying people back home… so if you end up with no money to get back home you might be living on the streets of Arica.

Greetings,

At the newly opened Arica Zen Monastery, if I understand it right, six officers are missing at the moment, namely, the administrator, assistant administrator, treasurer, disciplinarian, tenzo, and head caretaker (amongst these, the tenzo bears the responsibility of caring for the community's meals).

I would advise to apply for the "tenzo" position right away. Each day, you will need to procure the rice, vegetables, and other ingredients for the next day's morning and noon meals. Look, you will have a job, and a [free!] place to stay!..

However, to be accepted, you'll have to answer their usual question: "When you meet a Man of the Way on the road, greet him not with words, nor with silence. Tell me, how will you greet him?"

Peace,

Rune, Ze Chookcha

Just a quick tip: if you cannot answer properly yet, then you must do your best to watch out everything..

Meeting the man of the Way on the road,
Greeting him not with words, nor with silence..

Give him an uppercut,
Then he will understand you at once!..

{~~~ above: Mumon's Comments}

j. Ro wrote:My advice... Save up some money. No Spanish and No job I would say Minimum $5000.00 US... if you are frugal with your money that could last you up to 6 months. But that is having 3 home made meals a day... and your entertainment is going for a walk on the beach or running after street dogs. And you will need to find away to apply for your work visa.

And I don’t think Chile is in the business of flying people back home… so if you end up with no money to get back home you might be living on the streets of Arica.

Thanks for the rapid reply.

I've no time to increase my savings. I'll need to succeed with what I can bring with me. I'll come with more than $5000 and I'll leave some money a Scottish bank incase my plan is a disaster and I need to leave. So there is no risk of me sharing the streets with the stray dogs. Well, not anymore than anywhere else.

My intention is to live in Arica for at least a couple of years. Therefore learning Spanish and finding work are both must achieves. From what I can gather, it's usual to arrange a work visa before arriving but as I haven't a job arranged to go to, I can't. Unless someone reading this has an offer? It seems I could apply for a work visa soon after arriving, so I would have to source work quickly. Not an easy task, especially as I cannot speak Spanish. Yet, I will have to. An alternative would be for me to start my own business but this does not look like an easy option either.

I'm not coming to Arica to retire or with big ideas of making my fortune but it is important that I can find a job that pays more than I spend. My previous work experience, determination and flexibility gives me faith I will be able to source or create something.

Advice based on personal experience....don't burn any bridges back to home. And have an exit plan in case you need it, because unlike Scotland there is nothing to fall back on in the way of state assistance if you do come unstuck.

Good Luck from an -ex Edinburgher.

RuneTheChookcha wrote:Greetings,

At the newly opened Arica Zen Monastery, if I understand it right, six officers are missing at the moment, namely, the administrator, assistant administrator, treasurer, disciplinarian, tenzo, and head caretaker (amongst these, the tenzo bears the responsibility of caring for the community's meals).

I would advise to apply for the "tenzo" position right away. Each day, you will need to procure the rice, vegetables, and other ingredients for the next day's morning and noon meals. Look, you will have a job, and a [free!] place to stay!..

However, to be accepted, you'll have to answer their usual question: "When you meet a Man of the Way on the road, greet him not with words, nor with silence. Tell me, how will you greet him?"

Peace,

Rune, Ze Chookcha

It isn't often I am lost for words but I am.

Peace,
Hugh

el puelche wrote:I am curious to know why you have pinpointed Arica as our promised land?

You can start a business on your own rather easily. Its so simple that people don't ever do it; not even Chileans. Find something that is already available and make it faster, shinier, better smelling, stronger, sweeter and provide it al pueblo in way that is easier and more convient and... sell it. You will notice that i didn't say cheaper, so sell it for the same price or maybe a little more by a few pesos.

So if you are have the inkling to sell cazuela then apply the above...or cold beer, or french made soaps (really the soap would be made in Iquique)...never give anything away, ever, but always deliver on what you say you will, even if it kills you. Offer no excuses and don't worry about being small or in a dumpy place to start. Don't trust anyone and if you have to let go with trust, then don't give anything more than you are willing or able to loose...EVER. Count your money everyday and anyone that cheats you, turn your back on them and never look back to them for anything no matter how bad you need it. And one more thing...never, ever, ever...EVER...refuse a beggar a bowl of soup...

El Puelche.

For some time I have wanted to leave Scotland (The best small country in the world). It's great but I've lived here long enough and there is a big world to explore, and only one life to do it in. Having travelled across a lot of Europe, I had thought of moving to somewhere like France or Spain. There has been a change in my life and that gives me the opportunity to now leave Scotland. I enjoyed Kenya and Tanzania better than anywhere and although not an impossible thought, I can't imagine living there. Thoughts of Asia have crossed my mind too. The only country I have been to in South America is Peru and it is one of the best places I've ever visited. So, stop babbling I hear you sigh. Why Arica? Well, sometimes things happen in life that are not planned. A few months ago I meet a girl from Arica who was working in England as a foreign language assistant. She is a wonderful person and she saved my life. Later this week, she returns to Arica. I have no plan to say goodbye to her.

Fully expecting to be shot down in flames of negative reality, your response pleasantly surprises me. I expect (Note present tense) the red tape to setting up a business to be preventative of me doing so. I'm not short of ideas or skills to achieve this and will research these possibilities or discover more after having spent some time in Arica. I'm already sure the advice from users of this board will be priceless for me.

fraggle092 wrote:Advice based on personal experience....don't burn any bridges back to home. And have an exit plan in case you need it, because unlike Scotland there is nothing to fall back on in the way of state assistance if you do come unstuck.

Good Luck from an -ex Edinburgher.

Cheers! Understood and agreed.
H

We're all at a loss of words when we read a post or two from Rune.

el p, great post!

M23, good luck. Maybe TomasB can weigh in and give some advice. He is a native of Arica and knows the ropes there.

Arica is not the most "happening" place, if you know what I mean. So I hope you don't need a lot of excitement in your life.

Chuck J 3.0 wrote:Arica is not the most "happening" place, if you know what I mean. So I hope you don't need a lot of excitement in your life.

This is one worry of many that I have. Perhaps I'll bring excitment to Arica.