Chile Forum

Howdy all,
I am a new user, and am headed to Santiago June 22 to try and improve my Spanish and hopefully study some South American literature. I will be studying at PUC.
I am 22, and am a runner. Does anyone have any commentary on the air quality in Santiago? Is it much worse than Los Angeles?
Also - I am excited to see how people dress. Is mens fashion extant? Do people wear Rick Owens, Martin Margiela, Lanvin etc?
I am fired up for my trip, but do not know what to expect in more ways than one. Looking forward to using this forum as a resource to try and enhance my experience and get advice some people who know better!

And one last thing - is there gambling in chile? I like a good game of blackjack/21.
Thanks,
Sam

The air quality is much worse than LA. I've often heard that living in Santiago is like smoking 1.5 packs daily. I wouldn't want to purposely breathe deep and hard in Santiago. (Well, in certain cases with the right person I might want to.)

This season, a local sytle, called "mirista" is very popular in the south. Google images (e.g. "MIR") will give you an idea of how to dress to win friends in the IX region. It's growing and can be seen in Santiago at retro-funerals. It's a retro look that was very popular in todo Chile prior to 1973.

Yes, there are casinos in Chile and blackjack is played.

Good luck with your priorities as you study in Chile. Prepare to have your mind blown when you discover what's important for Chileans.

A Mirista jogging in Santiago

http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/7219/64782150.jpg