THE FOOD
Eating Schedule - Lunch is the main course. The usual hour to eat is around 1:30-2:00 in the afternoon. Surprisingly enough, a lot of the time, that will be all you need to eat for the day. The lunches are HUGE! And because they are so big, you will rarely see dinner. The Chileans eat, what they call, “once”, which consists of the famous Chilean pan (bread), cheese, and avocado.
Common Items - Chileans love their food. They have a strong bond with the items found below, and within a short amount of time, this bond will also grow within you. The traditional foods go back to the old times out in the country, with the farmers and the housewives. That homegrown taste that just can't be beat.
CAZUELA - A stew that has a piece of meat, potato, squash, carrots, corn, and rice. It is loved among truck drivers, field workers, and especially by missionaries.POLLO Y ARROZ - The basic chicken and rice. You will see this plenty, but in just about every way you can imagine.NOODLES - You're traditional spaghetti. It is quite common here, as you can find packs of noodles and sauce in just about any corner store (Almacen).POROTOS AND LENTEJAS - Beans and lentils. There is a saying here in Chile that says "¡Soy más chileno que los porotos!" which translates to "I am more chilean than beans!" So, what it boils down to, is that beans are eaten a lot here in chile. They come in may varieties; different soups, mixes with sausage and spaghetti, and many more combinations that you may have never imagined.PASTEL DE CHOCLO - This is a very tradition dish here in chiile, and the chealans LOVE it. It is baked mix of mashed corn, chicken, olives, and onions. Most eat it topped with sugar, and is even more delicios in it's signature clay bowl.HUMITAS - These chilean wonders are very similar to the tamales of mexico. Wrapped in corn husks, you will find another mashed corn mix that is very similar to that of the Pastel De Choclo. Consumers of humitas have their choice of salt or sugar. Enjoy!LA ENSALADA CHILENA - This delicious salad is something that you will eat very often. Ripe tomato and fresh cut onions with lemon, salt, and oil mixed in. Finished off with cilantro sprinkled on top. They love their fresh fruits and vegetables.LOS COMPLETOS - Not your average hot dog. Traditional american hot dogs are made fun of here in chile...These ones are the real deal. They include the delicious completo bread, a hot dog wiener, chopped tomatoes, avocado, topped with a serious portion of mayonaise. You will love them. They have many other varieties as well, some including sliced meat (called AS), and others with cheese and other combinations. A hot dog for every consumer.
The BREAD - Chile brings bread to a whole new level. So much so, that we need to start a new section to talk about all the different species of breads that we all love and enjoy.
MARRAQUETAS - The most famous chilean bread. The crunchy outside combined with the melt-in-your-mouth inside will acompany you throughout your whole stay in chile. If there aren't marraquetas in the home, you can find them at every single almacen in the streets. Be careful, however, because if you get there too late (8:00 pm) you might have to go breadless for the night!HALLULLA - These rounded delights have their consumers as well. They boast a more dense nature, and have a flaky resemblance to pillsbury rolls. Depending on your taste, these will earn a special place in your heart.PAN AMASADO - What makes this bread so tasty? It was made with love. Pan Amasado is famous among all country people, and really is delicious alongside any meal. It is oftentimes made in large mud ovens that the people own, that provides it with a genuine, home cooked taste.
TRANSPORTATION
Santiago is big and heavily populated city. With over 6 million people living in the Santiago area, you can imagine how busy it can get. There are many cars, motorcycles, scooters etc. But for us, as missionaries, we are always using the local transportation system “Transantiago”.
We also have one of the best metros in the world, located here in Santiago. El Metro de Santiago has five tracks that have stops in various parts of the city, allowing you to arrive right close by to where you are headed. From 7:00-9:00 am and from 5:00-7:00 pm the metro is very crowded because of the typical rush hour found in any large city. But don't worry, the Chileans stuff themselves in like sardines in a can!
EL CLIMA (CLIMATE OR WEATHER)
Chile varies drastically in its climate zones. In the north it's hot and dry with one of the driest deserts in the world, while the south is famous for its rainy wet climate. During the summer, it normally reaches a toasty 35 degrees Celsius or about 96 degrees Fahrenheit. But prepare yourself, it is HOT. The sun seems to be a bit stronger than what North Americans are used to, so be ready to wear plenty of sunscreen because you will need it.
Winter is another story because of the piercing cold winter air. It tends to rain often, getting us a little wet in the street. But there's no need to worry about your missionary, if they have a sturdy rain/winter coat and an umbrella, they'll be sure to survive any Chilean rainstorm that hits the Santiago to San Antonio area. We advise that you bring rubber/pullover slip-ons that fit over your normal dress shoes because the water tends to flood the streets, leaving mini rivers and many puddles in the in it's path.
Overall, the climate is enjoyable and comfortable, a perfect mix between hot and cold. As a matter of fact, it is very similar to Salt Lake City (if you've been there...), but only thousands of miles south.