The Significance Of Graffiti Art, Valparaiso

dictator |ˈdikˌtātər|
noun
a ruler with total power over a country, typically one who has obtained power by force.

In 1973, Augusto Pinochet with the Chilean Armed Forces and the secret aid of the CIA, stormed into the Parliamentary Palace, La Moneda in Santiago, and overthrew President Allende. This Dictator maintained power until 1990, instigating 17 years of torture (as many as 30,000 people) and implementing economic liberalisation.

Disturbing right? But where does Valparaiso fit into this picture? And what has this got to do with graffiti?

The Legends Of Chiloe

Once upon a time, thousands of years ago, a monstrous serpent, the God of Water Coi Coi Vilu, roamed the waters in the south of Chile. As it cruised through the Pacific Ocean it drowned the land just south of Puerto Montt, submerging all flora and fauna. With animosity, Ten Ten Vilu, God of Earth and Fertility lashed out and elevated the land, protecting it from destruction. The battle lasted a long time, with Ten Ten Vilu reaching victory. However, the land remained detached from the mainland and became known today as Chiloe.

How to be a Penquista

Technically, if you’re from Concepcion, you’re a Penquista. But there’s so much more to a person, let alone a collection of people. So who really are Penquistas and how can you become one?

First Impressions Re-visited

At the end of my stay in Chile, almost a year later, I reflected on what I wrote at the beginning of the year.

I called this piece: The Importance of Geographical Location

I can’t believe I made an attempt to break down Chilean pride at the beginning of the year. Patriotism is such a broad concept and to analyse this idea in relation to a whole nation is a big task. As Geert Hofstede states, “One should think twice before applying the norms of one person, group or society to another.” (2010, p.7) Chile is a long country full of diversity. Actually right now I’m writing this assessment on a 34 hour bus journey from Santiago to Arica (the Chilean town on the border of Peru), which only covers six of the fifteen regions of Chile. So imagine how long Chile is!

First Impressions of Concepción, Chile

CoeAt the beginning of the year, I had an assessment for my international studies degree at UTS to write about my first impressions of the country.

I called my work: What makes a Chilean proud?

“¿Oy huevón, que te parece sobre el Chilenismo? ¿Bacán? ¿Cachai po?”

Speed up the pace of this sentence, mumble it a little and you’re speaking like a Chilean.

Concepción, a Joven’s Haven

joven
adjetivo/nombre común

Que tiene las características que se consideran propias de las personas jóvenes (energía, vitalidad, vigor, frescura, etc.):un espíritu joven; mantener el cuerpo joven.SINÓNIMO juvenil.

haven |ˈhāvən|
noun

a place of safety or refuge: a haven for wildlife.

And that’s exactly what Conce became for me: I lived the young life and I lived it safely.

Pucon’s Perspective: Is it better to travel with your parents or with your friends?

Question: Is it better to travel with your parents or with your friends?
Location: Pucón, Chile
Hypothesis: Your friends.
Variables (there’s a lot that are unavoidable): your age both times you visit the place, the interest of your parents and your friends, the age of your parents and your friends, the money you have to spend, the time you have to spend, your level of understanding of the local language, street-intelligence, changes to the location, do you know the locals.. etc.

Discussion: …

Cochamó

My feet are crinkled, my shoulder muscles ache, my hair smells like bonfire smoke and I could barely keep my eyes open in my exam this morning. That’s the reality of the day after a two-day trek.

The most beautiful place I have seen thus far..

For once I don’t think words are going to be my main means of expression. There really aren’t many ways to simply say it was beautiful.

The realities of the W trek in the Parque Nacional Torres del Paine

The night before we start the W trek, while we were frantically packing our 60L backpacks with our camping necessities in our hostel, three British travellers return from their five days in the wilderness of the W trek. “The worst five days of my life.”