Alright, I owe Scoot a lot of credit. His travel blogging was well done, interesting and a darn good read! I don’ t believe I can match him, however, I think I will at least give some insight into my present “trip”, or as Citizen Une calls it, Navy Vacation.
It is hardly vacation, I am presently deployed in support of multi-national exercise UNITAS 2006. A largely South American driven (Brazil was the progenitor) event involving land, naval and air forces from a variety of nations.
Now you may wonder, what type of naval forces might one find among South American nations. The answer is, darn fine ones. They typically follow in the tradition of European navies, with similar rank structure and a preference for their types of vessels. The Chilean navy boasts some very capable surface combatants and a range of diesel submarines which typically worry the USA to no end (when they are operated by our enemies – which Chile is not).
Chile is a nation of immigrants and indigent people, although more of the former and less of the latter when compared to many other South American nations. It is a proud and capable nation. They are superior farmers and have a robust and efficient road network within their VERY long nation. I have been impressed by their commitment to excellence among their naval officers and the general sophistication of their cities.
It’s winter here and has the feel of the area around Catalina, California. The sky is alternatingly deep blue or brooding grey with beard like clouds slipping around the mountains. The food is superb and the economy thriving, so much so that they are also experiencing their own immigration problem.
6 comments:
Alrighty, I will add that to my shopping list.
There are not Alapaca sweaters here (IV-V regions- central) those are only at north.
But you can get a nice "chilote" sweater at an affordable price in Quinta street or 362 Valparaíso Avenue (both Handcraft Centers at Viña del Mar downtown)
Buena suerte!
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“First the gays, then the girls, then the mainstream.” –Samantha Jones
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Aha! Local knowledge. As soon as I get back to Val-P I will begin my quest. Now what can you tell me about gorgeous lapis?
Same places, quality lapis in Reñaca Beach surrounded area.
Buena suerte!
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“First the gays, then the girls, then the mainstream.” –Samantha Jones
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ps.and if you want to add the best deep tissue massage to your shopping list, come to my office: 1176 Condell st. N°56 Valparaíso.
"Chile is a nation of immigrants and indigent people"
Creo que necesistas aclarar este punto. Soy Chileno y te aseguro que en todo mi círculo social no hay inmigrante ni indigente... Chile no es una nación de inmigrantes ni menos de indigentes.
aclaremos
Henry indicates, if my poor Spanish is any good, that Chile is not a nation of immigrants and indigent peoples. I am not sure what to make of this comment, I think he may be referring to the idea of a Chilean nationality rather than Euro-Chilean or Carib-Chilean.
Several site indicate a more integrated population than one might observe on the stree. Chilean Demographics. Other sites point to this fact as well, however, I think the technicality of my point remains, Chile - as is most of the Western Hemisphere - is an amalgam of peoples.
The region’s scanty population is concentrated along the coast and in oases; the ports of Iquique and Antofagasta (the chief link between Bolivia and the Pacific), the mining towns of Arica and Chuquicamata, and the industrial town of La Serena are the chief population centers. The majority of Chile’s population is mestizo, a result of frequent intermarriage between early Spanish settlers and native inhabitants. Many Chileans are also of German, Italian, Irish, British, or Yugoslav ancestry. Three small indigenous groups are still distinguishable—the Araucanians of central Chile (the largest and long the strongest group), the Changos of N Chile, and the Fuegians of Tierra del Fuego. By the 1980s, Chile was predominantly urban; over one-third of the total population was concentrated in and around Santiago and Viña Del Mar. Over 85% of the people are at least nominally Roman Catholic. Spanish is the country’s official language.
Chile
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