We arrived in Santiago de Chile on April 3, 2015. Almost a week later, we had already enrolled Desmond into a wonderful jardin, had bought SIM cards, and had found the closest supermarket. We were staying in a really light, spacious, beautiful apartment in the heart of the city. We had been looking forward to Santiago pretty much ever since we got to South America this year because we had heard so many wonderful things about it: the food, the wine, and the city was supposed to be top-notch.
I hate to say it, but we left Santiago only one month into our stay because we just didn't like it. The main reason we left was because of the pollution: Santiago's pollution in the winter (which is summer in the Northern Hemisphere) exceeds any level of pollution in the United States. After our first week there, we were already suffering from headaches, sore throats and coughs.
I hate to say it, but we left Santiago only one month into our stay because we just didn't like it. The main reason we left was because of the pollution: Santiago's pollution in the winter (which is summer in the Northern Hemisphere) exceeds any level of pollution in the United States. After our first week there, we were already suffering from headaches, sore throats and coughs.
We aren't a stranger to pollution. One of the things I hated the most about living in Salt Lake City, UT was the inversion we would get in the winters. An inversion occurs when the temperature from the ground up increases, thereby trapping a layer of smog. Due to Salt Lake City's unique topography (the valley is shaped like a bowl), the pollution is easily trapped and is the cause of hundreds of extra ER visits by people suffering from the side effects of pollution. The level of pollution in Santiago in the winter was much higher than what we were used to in Salt Lake City. There were times when I could see the smog just right across the major road in front of our apartment.
We didn't have the time to sample a lot of Chilean cuisine, but I wasn't a big fan of what we did sample. Their wine, however, was absolutely delicious.
It took me a while to get over the fact that we "quit" Chile so soon. I wish we could have stayed longer if only to be able to visit the rest of Chile. One day we will make it to Patagonia, Antarctica, the Atacama Desert, and Easter Island (which is a 4-hour plane ride away! Insane!) But, ultimately, we have to do what is absolutely the best for our children and that means not exposing them to crazy levels of pollution if we don't absolutely have to expose them.
And it also meant that we got to choose where to go for the next 2 months. Guess where we chose? Colombia! Of course we went back and of course we found a place super close to our old neighborhood haunts. It was an amazing two months and I'm so happy we got the opportunity to spend some more time with my family and Desmond had 2 more months of being immersed in the language. Win-win.
We didn't have the time to sample a lot of Chilean cuisine, but I wasn't a big fan of what we did sample. Their wine, however, was absolutely delicious.
It took me a while to get over the fact that we "quit" Chile so soon. I wish we could have stayed longer if only to be able to visit the rest of Chile. One day we will make it to Patagonia, Antarctica, the Atacama Desert, and Easter Island (which is a 4-hour plane ride away! Insane!) But, ultimately, we have to do what is absolutely the best for our children and that means not exposing them to crazy levels of pollution if we don't absolutely have to expose them.
And it also meant that we got to choose where to go for the next 2 months. Guess where we chose? Colombia! Of course we went back and of course we found a place super close to our old neighborhood haunts. It was an amazing two months and I'm so happy we got the opportunity to spend some more time with my family and Desmond had 2 more months of being immersed in the language. Win-win.