TRAVELER

Nice pictures.

JJJ I'm not sure I'd agree with you about some things being "cheap" in Chile.  $500 for apartment?  From what we've seen you're in a studio/efficiency and you can get the same thing in some US cities like oh I don't know like Birmingham, AL or Little Rock, AR, probably less than $500!  Even less if you go out of town.

Or $14 for a bottle of wine? half the price in US?  Chilean wine is not expensive, you can get a 1.5L bottle for $14.  What do you go by, the sticker and logo?!  You can get a bottle of wine for $4 or $5 in Walmart!  $8 or $9 in general supermarkets.

Or $40 for a Hostel with a view of the alley?  Don't you get $40 - $50 for a Hostel in Europe?  It's not expensive, but not "cheap".  

Anyway, it's definately worthed all and all.  I just wanted to make a note because you kept pricing things and they didn't seem "cheap" to me!

Also, that "escalator" looked like a death trap, not sure if I could go on it!  And be careful when snapping a woman whose underwear is showing, you may end up giving up your camera to her boyfriend!  Just kidding!  Those are good shots, keep them coming!  

Everything is sacred

JJ it's the people and their attitudes that are attractive

Not all south America has the same quality of people.  Argentina too has a rich history, amazing literature, lively cities, great food, passionate music however its no Chile, Uraguay or Mexico. For me Uraguay is the best of the 3, due to the strong sense of justice in the people.  Every child gets access to free meal at a free school with free internet access at home for the free lap top computer that is mandatory for all children.  Uraguayas are not rich based on European standards, but they are a peaceful people living a peaceful life.

American life is too stressful, no matter where you are on the ladder, that pushes me away.  Northern Europe is less stressful, the lack of sunshine and weather is the tough part to adapt to that pushes me away too.  Stress looks like its on the horizon for most of the developed world, so long as there are continuous wars in the cards and none of their economies are viable with out the weapons industries and the ongoing struggle that is associated with being in wars for most of your life.  

convincing explanation

You did wonderfully! At least you could convince me. Enjoy it while you can.

Thanks for describing it. 

The difference

Mahvash, Europe to me feels like a museum, exquisite and picturesque. Everything is done with great taste. And the U.S. is like a well-oiled machine moving at top speed. Everything is newer and bigger and better. On the other hand, here in Chile, and also in Mexico (and in the rest of Latin America?), life is simpler and less stressful. There's no rush. People seem uncomplicated and content. They are friendlier. Less arrogant. They have a rich history, amazing literature, lively cities, great food, passionate music ... and cheap apartments! :)

It's a feeling I wish I could better describe.

Please explain why

I enjoyed your pictorial travelogue again. Thanks for sending those to us. In one photo you said that by being there for a short period of time you don't want to live in Europe or US any more (I am paraphrasing you).

Would you please elaborate more on this ? In which way? The people made you come up with this decision; the environmnt, the geography or what .

I love to hear your explanation. Would you please be kind enough to do that? 

Told You!

My trip to Peru too, was an eyeopener as to the relative interest Europe has any more.

Keep 'em coming these are great!

It's great to see your enthusiasm and lust for life in the few pics you post of yourself. Send us more with you in them!

To read more bahmani posts visit: //brucebahmani.blogspot.com/

Thanks

Thanks Nazy. Chileans suffered greatly under military rule in the 1970's and 80's. They have not gotten over it yet completely, but they are recovering and rebuilding their lives and country. Valparaiso's revival is a good sign.

Beyond Isabel Allende, Neruda is of course is a giant figure here. I will post photos of his three homes soon. They are little museums with the most incredible views, especially in Isle Negra and here in Valparaiso which I will see today hopefully.

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Mamnoon Red Wine Jan. Hamisheh lotf daarin. I greatly respect your taste. Glad you enjoyed.

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Amir P... :))) There's no outward expression of religiosity here, not to any significant or outrageous extent, thank god!

JJ Don't you think something is missing here, soul wise?

Maybe you could, on behalf of us Iranians of course, introduce a little Shia Islam for these people.

That would be fun, to promote a little Shia Islam on your trips, these guys haven't got a clue what they are missing out on!

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این دفترِ زیبا،پر از تصاویرِ ملون و پر معنا ، تنها یک آهنگِ متن کم دارد.

با سپاس .

Beautiful!

Another excellent photographic journal of your travels.

I have been curious about Chileans since I became an Isabel Allende fan. I remember reading an interview with her after the death of her daughter, Paula. Allende told the interviewer that she didn't think people properly grieved for their lost loved ones in the US. The description she offered of how Chileans would grieve the death of a family's child was so similar to how Iranians would do it, as sad and unsettling as I find it.

She described how she would wail, and how she would pour dirt into her hair, remembering and mourning the loss of her child. The words and images have stayed with me for years, though I can't seem to be able to locate the interview now. Those words told me something about the closeness of the Chilean culture with that of ours, which cannot only be limited to how we would each mourn. Let us not forget, that our nation may wail and mourn the loss of a young individual like that, but we also beshkan and dance like nobody's business at our weddings and celebrations! I am very interested in that part of the Chilean culture. The vibrant people I see in the photos seem to talk to that joy of life.

The woman in 139 is absolutely beautiful. The cat in 55 seems a lot better off than the dogs you have shown us so far! Photo 127 is a good representation of the visual feast Chile seems to be. My last observation is that everyone seems to be so young!

Thanks again Jahanshah Jan.