Chile

November 9, 2014 - 9:52pm
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.

September 28, 2014 - 8:09pm
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.