Education Issues

Protests are very common nowadays. Students, workers and people in general have taken over the streets to show their dissatisfaction with certain aspects of government and society in general.

But without a doubt students have been the ones that have led this movement, fighting for justice and quality in terms of education. Personally, I agree with certain ideas they have, but I think they are doing it in a really bad way. I know people have the right and duty to speak up and say what they think, but there are many ways of doing this, and violence isn’t the best method.

Another think I don’t like about this whole educational movement is that students “demand” things. How can you “demand” something to a country that has many other worries, not just education? This government has done plenty of things for Chile, but students think they are the only ones dissatisfied with some aspects of society.

I think students should be more open, they should try to sit and talk, in order to come to an agreement with the government, they should ask, or request. But they shouldn’t demand

Josefa Castro Amenábar

My Favourite part of town

My favorite part of town is not in Santiago. I really don't like this city, I prefer my home town Curicó. In Curicó there are many interesting places you can go to, like vineyards, malls and the city centre which is very beatiful. However, one of the most beatiful and amazing things of Curicó is "Cerro Condell", a hill located right in the middle of the city, where you can look at the whole town and it looks breathtaking. This hill brings me lots of good memories, because I often go and have a few beer with my friends there. The best views from the hill are at night, when the light makes a very beatiful effect and the sky is often clear, so you can look at the whole region.
"Cerro Condell" is a hill full of trees, animals and plants. At the top there is a very big Virgin Mary statue. Curico Town Hall has made lots of improvements on this hill, like adding paved paths, BBQs and a big pool for Curicó's citizens.
Every time I travel to Curicó I like to go there with some friends, and just stare at my city.

I really needed a rest

I’d had a terrible year. I needed a rest; I had to leave that overwhelming city for a few days, at least. My brother has a cottage in the countryside and he told me I could use it for a few days.  

That place was amazing. The master bedroom was enormous, just what I needed. I had a waterfall just outside my window, thousands of wine bottles and a fridge full of food. The first two nights were great. I was alone and I could do whatever I wanted. I read, I ate, I slept. I actually rested.

But a funny thing happened the third night. I felt mysteriously scared, and when y realized about it, the house was a bit terrifying. It was in the middle of nowhere with no neighbors and no artificial light, just the moon. I’m not a person who scares easily, that’s why it was a weird thing to happen. I read a little bit, I poured myself a glass of wine, I drank in one sip and I went to bed.

The next morning, a noise woke me up. I tried to open my eyes, but I was so tired. I could hear the waterfall and something that could be a truck or a car. I couldn’t open my eyes yet, but I could smell something and indescribable smell, something that wasn’t common at all, but at the same time it felt like if I had smelled it before.

I had to discover what this was. I got up and walked to the door, attracted by the smell. I could hear whispers, unknown whispers. I was scared, my legs where trembling, my heart was beating faster and faster. I could hear them climbing up the stairs.

I opened the door hoping to confront them, but when I did it, they were right outside my door. They had their heads covered by black balaclavas. “So, here you are darling”, they said. I tried to past through them, but they caught me. “You’re not going anywhere, beautiful” They tied my hands and feet and put a bag in my head. Then they put me in the pickup of a truck. I couldn’t hear anything.

They drove 10 minutes or so. When the car stopped they grabbed me by my wrists and took me inside a house. It smelled like rotten meat there, it was an insufferable smell. They made me sit in a chair and after a few minutes of discussing, they took the bag off my head. When I open my eyes…I woke up.

These weird dreams are killing me. I’ve had a terrible year. I really need a rest

The best week of the year

Before 1810, Chile was a colony of the Spanish Kingdom. But the Chilean people weren't very happy and they wanted their independence. That's why on September 18th 1810, they made the First National Governing Board, when they decided to become independent. They reorganized the army; they declared freedom in terms of international trade and they started creating good relations with our neighbors.

From that day, Chile remembers that date every year with three days full of activities. The country dresses up in white, blue and red (the colors of their flag); children decorate their classrooms and schools, people go to the “fondas”, the streets are filled with garlands and you can feel in the air the smell of patriotism and “empanadas”.

If you are lucky enough to be in Chile during this magical week, you have to go to a “fonda”. “Fondas” were realized originally in areas away from the city, but nowadays they are fondas all over the country. In a “Fonda” you can find cueca (National dance), typical games and food, people selling national crafts and, of course, a few patriots that celebrate drinking too much chicha (typical drink) and wine

So, if you are in Chile during this week it’s impossible not to catch all that joy and love for this little country, so grab a glass of wine and let’s celebrate their independence. Cheers!

Chilean Fonda