Blogger Trevor Zalkind identifies the many aspects of polarization in Chile
As a circle of bohemians chant and pound on the drums in the Calama, Chile, airport, I purse my chapped lips and reach for my 1.6-liter water bottle. Chile’s Atacama Desert, the driest place in the world situated in the northern part of the country, has left its mark on me — mainly in the form of dehydration and sunburn. After a long weekend of mountain biking, swimming in salt lakes and taking in the vast dryness of salt flats, I couldn’t wait to get back to the central region of Santiago and regain all of my water weight.
Before learning about other cultures in an abroad experience, first you must embrace your own.
Just past the halfway point of my study abroad experience, I have seen and done plenty of things in my adventures across Ecuador, Argentina, Uruguay and finally my home from July to December: Chile. Three months ago, I can easily admit that I was a stereotypical gringo, blissfully ignorant, roaming the streets of various Latin American towns asking for directions in broken Spanish. Today, I can admit that I’m still a gringo. And despite what some may believe, that’s a good thing.