North, South, RM -- take your pick! I did not have the typical tourist experience in Chile, probably because I worked 6 days a week for a language institute in Santiago, beginning in September 2003 and ending in August 2005 (with two semesters contracted out to BHPBilliton's Cerro Colorado copper mine asset outside of Mamiña). At first blush, it sounds like a great deal to only work 4.5 hours a day in a city as energetic as Santiago; however, those hours were spread between 7 and 9 pm, so I would criss-cross the city for 14 hours only to be paid for 4.5 hours of work. While I was teaching in Santiago I spent a lot of time on public transportation thinking about not getting robbed and what I wanted in and from life: not a bad way for a 22 year-old literary nerd to spend her days. I did a very limited amount of traveling outside the RM during that time, though I did make it to Pucón with Pavo for a couple of days, Horcón with Mom for 2, and on a few day trips to points nearby (Valparaíso with Beth and Michelle and Isla Negra with Michelle).
Once I took the job in the mine, however, I had more economic freedom to flitter about; I visited el Lago Chungará, Humberstown, Pica, and various points and pueblos throughout the interior. I met amazing women and men, colleagues and students alike, and am thankful to have enjoyed such a tremendous learning opportunity. Upon deciding to return to the US, I quickly planned a week-long jaunt to the south of Chile and a two-week visit to Peru, the photos of which are available on this site.
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