This post is for those out there curious about the everyday life we’ve been settling into since we found an apartment and garage spot for Scarletta. Maybe not as glamorous, our weeks are none the less interesting and an every-day adventure.
Kirk has been working for a small (10 people total), Chilean consulting firm where he and his co-workers make up an international team with the likes of people from Chile, Canada, Spain, and the US. He’s been able to work on several interesting projects in Santiago, San Pedro (in the north), Curico (south of Santiago), and several other regions outside of the metropolitan area. Kirk has immensely improved his Spanish as a result; his business is largely conducted in Spanish. He sounds (almost) like a Chilean which is quite notable seeing as the consensus is that Chile has one of the hardest to understand/learn dialects of Spanish. He’s impressive in his ability to communicate effectively with cab drivers, new friends, potential new clients that we happen to meet in line for a burger. It’s inspiring.
A big priority of mine was to learn Spanish and though I committed time and money to this end, my results are a bit sub-par. I’ve managed to speak in somewhat full sentences; I’ve even been able to give several people directions to the closest metro stop, as well as successfully communicated with our doorman about needing the key to the laundry room. I understand a bit more than I did a few months ago, but my ability to speak and comprehend is still far from where I hoped after 7 months. If there’s one thing I’ve learned here, it’s patience.
Patience became like a friend of mine, visiting often, when it came to my job search. In conversations past, I recall thinking a good plan was to teach English. After some careful and intentional thought, I decided it wasn’t for me. Though it would have provided a really interesting and challenging opportunity, I was hoping for something different. After months of job searching in my PJ’s drinking powdered coffee, I found two different companies that are giving me a reason to motivate in the morning.
Where I spend the majority of my weekdays is at a co-working space called Urban Station near the Plaza Italia. More modernly known as Plaza Baquedano, this plaza is an important historical landmark in Santiago and a convergence point for many celebrations, and riots.
A big priority of mine was to learn Spanish and though I committed time and money to this end, my results are a bit sub-par. I’ve managed to speak in somewhat full sentences; I’ve even been able to give several people directions to the closest metro stop, as well as successfully communicated with our doorman about needing the key to the laundry room. I understand a bit more than I did a few months ago, but my ability to speak and comprehend is still far from where I hoped after 7 months. If there’s one thing I’ve learned here, it’s patience.
Patience became like a friend of mine, visiting often, when it came to my job search. In conversations past, I recall thinking a good plan was to teach English. After some careful and intentional thought, I decided it wasn’t for me. Though it would have provided a really interesting and challenging opportunity, I was hoping for something different. After months of job searching in my PJ’s drinking powdered coffee, I found two different companies that are giving me a reason to motivate in the morning.
Where I spend the majority of my weekdays is at a co-working space called Urban Station near the Plaza Italia. More modernly known as Plaza Baquedano, this plaza is an important historical landmark in Santiago and a convergence point for many celebrations, and riots.
Urban Station attracts community-minded and eager entrepreneurs, and houses current generations and alumnae of Start-Up Chile: one of the biggest and most diverse start-up communities. With financial backing from international companies as well as support from the Chilean government, start-ups that come through the program are awarded with not only capital, but a network from which to learn, grow and cultivate their entrepreneurial dreams. Another plus is that the co-working staff often put out media-lunas (basically croissants coated in sugar) and other treats. Yum.
The company I work with truly displays the diversity that Start-up Chile companies are known for. On our team are people from Germany, Venezuela, Uraguay, Argentina, Chile and the US. Though our working language is English, I’m surrounded daily by conversations in German as well as several accents of Spanish. We are doing interesting work in the “digital world;” currently most of the work is on the ground in Germany.
The company I work with truly displays the diversity that Start-up Chile companies are known for. On our team are people from Germany, Venezuela, Uraguay, Argentina, Chile and the US. Though our working language is English, I’m surrounded daily by conversations in German as well as several accents of Spanish. We are doing interesting work in the “digital world;” currently most of the work is on the ground in Germany.
Other days, I get to play “gringa guia” and share some of the places that I’ve come to love in/near Santiago with travelers. One of the places that I’ve spent a lot of time is Yerba Loca, a nature preserve east of Santiago in the Andes. I’ve also been able to get in the saddle, a place I’ve missed, and lead horse-back riding tours in the foothills just north of the city.
My commitment to keeping up with writing and photography inspired me to volunteer for an English-language online magazine, Revista Revolver. Each week, Revolver puts out a weekend guide with events, shows, fiestas and other cool happening in and around Santiago; so in addition to writing, editing and submitting photos, it’s been a good way to know what’s going on in the city. Plus, sometimes at our weekly meetings (fueled by cheap Chilean beer) we play Cards Against Humanity.
A few weeks ago, I was walking down the street and saw a gal from my Spanish class who I hadn’t seen since June. In a city of 6 million (mas o menos), faces are becoming familiar. It was the moment when I really felt this is where I live.
Ready to visit and check out this fine city (and beyond) for yourself? Casa de los Gringos is starting to fill it's summer occupancy, so let us know soon if you'd like to book your stay.
Ready to visit and check out this fine city (and beyond) for yourself? Casa de los Gringos is starting to fill it's summer occupancy, so let us know soon if you'd like to book your stay.
