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The national folk dance is the cueca. These are danced in pairs, inspired by a pair rooster-and-hen's dance of courtship. A man and a woman hold a handkerchief each and dance in small movements, occasionally swinging downwards and twirling around and exchanging places. This is danced to happy folk music played by musicians on guitar, tambourine and accordion and to a delighted audience who are clapping their hands and stamping their feet.
Like Argentinians and southern Brazilians, Chileans also drink the yerba mate, ground from the herbs of the holly berry. They are similarly drunk in a mate-cup, through a bombilla (here, in Chile, it is pronounced as 'bom-BEE-yah') and shared among friends by passing the cup around.
Mapuche Indians live around central Chile, near the city of Temuco. They are largest of the Indian population left in Chile. Mapuche means 'People of the Land'.They were one of the few groups who fought fiercely against the Spanish soldiers and won several battles. While they were warriors, the Mapuches were not as advanced as the Incas. They did not build temples or cities. The Mapuches believe in positive and negative forces. East represents positive so all Mapuche homes face east. They have their own complicated language.In Villarrica, for example, there are cultural centres that preserve the crafts and handiworks of the Mapuche cultures.
Mestizos (mixture of Spanish and Indian blood) make up the highest proportion of the ethnic group in Chile. Most of these Chileans are roundish in body-shape, with dark hair, round heads and huge eyes and bushy eyebrows. Chile is one of the most homogeneous society in Latin America.
Not many Chileans speak a fluent English, but they make funny efforts to understand what a foreigner wants.People is very friendly here.If you don't speak any Spanish it can be difficult at times, but nothing too terrible. Of course that Important Hotels, Restaurants and Travel Agencies work with bilingual people.
Here in Chile we don't use to leave the 10 or 15% for a tip. People just leave what they want....yeah, that's not fair. Anyway it'll be kind from you and very appreciated if you leave the 10 or 15% :o)
People in Chile use to go out at night very late, let's say at 11pm sometimes 12pm.....and night clubs, bars and dicos start to be crowded by that time too.They also close very late.....or early? he he he, during summer, night clubs can easily close at 6am.....so take a nap before going out!!!!!!!!!!!.
If you make friends in Chile, relax regarding "punctuality" because here people live at their own pace.....yeah.....- If someone tells you " Ok, let's meet at 9" then they'll arrive at 9:30 or maybe at 10.- If someone, after a meeting tells you "ok, I'll call you later", do not expect any call, people say that just like an expression (?) but they don't really mean what they say.Of course that like everywhere, there are exceptions....
Try the National Chilean drink there, which is called "Mote Con Huesillos". At the very bottom is something of a peach or dried peach. There are wheat kernels or something like that in the very sweet juice drink. (It is non-alcoholic btw) (or maybe there is an alcoholic version?)It was too sweet for me, and I only took one sip. But maybe you will like it, it's worth a try.
My experience was that people wear some kind of footwear, whether clean shoes or sandals inside their homes. Do not go around barefoot or just with socks in someone's home. ...In any case, take care about this when entering someone's home, not just for respecting their custom, but also, to protect your feet, maybe from uncleanly floors or from things that could crawl about on the floors. You need feet in good shape for traveling, wink! :)
Radisson Plaza Santiago Hotel Santiago
6 Reviews and 187 Opinions We stayed in Santiago last Nov, for our first night and our last night (before a morning departure)....
explora Rapa Nui - Posada de Mike Rapu Easter Island
49 Opinions
Robinson Crusoe Inn Valparaíso
4 Reviews and 30 Opinions Avoid this hotel at all cost. It was a disaster. We arrived at 8PM. It was the least friendly...
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Q: Hi, I am hoping to catch the night bus to Puno from Santiago. My flight leaves gets in at noon and I hear the bus usually...
A: You aren't going to Puno if you are going south from Santiago, maybe Pucón? Take an airport bus to one of the bus stations, Terminal Santiago will have the most buses...
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