- March 2, 2015
- 11:16 pm
- Mary Ann McGrath
- no comments
From the City to the Mountains
From our student guest blogger Abbey Rosenwinkel:
Our first two days in Chile couldn’t have been more opposite. Upon arriving we were swept into the whirlwind of a city that has many similarities and differences from Chicago. Chile’s painful and polarizing political history, their impressive focus on sustainability, and the geographical location near the Andes mountain range gives Chile a unique feel compared to other big cities I have traveled to, both abroad and in the United States. Santiago is a difficult city to pin down with a few words, but I hope to capture as much of it as I can in these posts. I look forward to diving into the culture and into the business world during my time abroad.
Our group spent our first afternoon exploring the different neighborhoods and we learned about the development of the city. While in Santiago, we will be staying in a the Las Condes neighborhood just north of the centro. It is considered to be the business hub of the city. There are large modern skyscrapers and flourishing companies in this area due to the development in the 1980-1990s during the dictatorship. Chile is a very long and skinny country and this geography is also reflected in the city of Santiago. The main metro line runs north and south with a few lines branching out from it. Just like in Chicago, the locals call this line the “red line” or línea rojo. Throughout the city there is breath-taking architecture that in some neighborhoods resembles european countries like France and Spain. Our tour guide explained that during to construction of some parts of the city architects desired to “bring Paris to the people,” so they studied in France and used it for inspiration when they returned to Santiago. German colonization in Chile also gave the city a European twist. We wrapped up our first day with walk through the parks and a fun meal in the local restaurant. The main dishes served were ceviche, tilapia, and mote con huesillo, a Chilean dessert with peaches, wheat, and a sweet juice.
La Moneda, home to the president’s offices
On our second day in Chile, we had the opportunity to explore outside of the city and travel into the Andes. We took a bus an hour and a half into a mountain area called San Jose de Maipo. Along the way we drove through different neighborhoods, rural areas, and small ranches. We were able to see a new side of Chile that is very different from the bustling city of Santiago. The rolling hill sides lead into the snow capped peaks as we drove through small towns with lodges and small farms. During our visit at el Lodge Andino, we sipped raspberry juice and red wine, indulged in Chilean style BBQ (una parillada), rode horses in the mountain range, and enjoyed in the laid-back nature of the Andes. It was the perfect relaxing excursion to prepare us for a week of business in Santiago.
Our Chilean BBQ Feast
Some of group during the horseback ride break
I’m looking forward to our first company visits! We have an exciting lineup of local and international companies and as someone who is extremely interested in international business, I am excited to see the inner workings of companies abroad with my own eyes.
Hasta luego,
Abbey Rosenwinkel