After living in Vina del mar for a little over a week, I have a new found appreciation for anyone and everyone that lives/works/studies/whatever in a country that does not speak their primary language. Because these people are either incredibly brave or completely insane! (You decide which category I fall into)
It can be very frustrating at times when I understand what people are asking me but I can only give one or two word answers. Even though I really want to be able to elaborate on my day or my daily routine at home or just ask questions in general, I lack the vocabulary to do this. For this reason I have so many problems trying to conversate with these crazy Chileans! And it makes me think about all the people who move to the good ole US of A not knowing English and how a lot of times we think of it as a handicap (not knowing English). When really they’re probably smarter than us because they figured out how to get a job even though they don’t speak the language. So to these people I say RESPECT.
Now I know y’all are probably wondering by now “Gaby, how the heck do you get around this awesome city without a car??” Oh don’t worry I am about to tell you my tales of public transportation in Chile. You don’t want to miss it!
1. My primary mode of transportation during the day is walking (good thing my hiking boots are all broken in!!) Many places in Vina del mar are within walking distance for me, including the beach (la playa)! Can you say #winning?!?! I can also walk to the mall, many other apartments/houses, and various other places that have escaped my memory at this moment.
2. Unfortunately, I have to take the micro (bus) to get to and from school. Well let me just start with this, remember how Chileans don’t follow any rules when speaking? Yeah, they don’t follow any rules when driving either. Entiendes (Understand)? There are many bus stops scattered throughout the city, however there is no schedule. You never know when a bus just might happen to drive by the stop to pick you up. And if one does you better hope they slow down enough to let you on. (side note: look at the signs on the bus to see where they are going, you don’t want to get lsot!) Okay so now you have flagged down a micro and are on your way to school, congratulations you’re half way there! Now you have to know exactly where you need to get off, otherwise the micro will not stop and you will be stuck on that stinkin bus forever! NOT GOOD. When you see your stop coming up just stand and walk to the front of the bus, then push a little button to let the driver know you need to get off. If you miss your stop never fear, the driver will stop where there is no designated stop, sometimes they’ll even let you off in the middle of traffic!
3. Another mode of transportation is the metro, similar to the subways in New York or DC or other big cities. The metro is more reliable than the micros (but then again its difficult to be less reliable than the micros!) The metros have set schedules and stops and are smoother rides than the micro. However, it is quite a walk from my humble abode to the metro station so I take the more adventurous mode of transportation, the micro!
4. There are also two types of taxis, the colectivos and the radiotaxis. The colectivos you flag down like in New York. The radiotaxis you call a number and they send a car to pick you up. Radiotaxis are safer.
So there you go, a guide to public transport in Chile. If you ever come to visit you should be able to successfully navigate your way around Vina del Mar/Valparaiso. And hopefully you my readers, now have an appreciation for all the extranjeros (foreigners) out there!
Besitos,
Gaby
P.S. My next post will be all about my first week of school! (I know school on August 1 HOLY COW that’s early!)
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