Remembering the heat

Seems like quite a while now that I didn't hesitate to put on shorts and a short sleeve t-shirt. Those days have slipped by a bit too fast and now the cold winter without good inside heating looms.

It all makes me feel a bit dreary, especially since I'm pretty reduced in movement thanks to a sprained ankle sustained in a basketball game.

In fact we even had rain just yesterday. The seasons move forward, the stories coming from family in the US is now of spring, its warming up there after a long nasty winter. So bring it on now, I got out my thick wool sweaters and wear them all to often, and winter really hasn't even fully began.

The N95 street view: Gotta light?

A friendly light at the local shoperia.

So I took this with my Nokia N95...I sometimes forget that my phone has such a good camera, so in order to force myself to use it a bit more I'm going to start posting some shots from the "street" view using the phone. Hope you enjoy.

The Junk Food Alternative

Along one of the main arteries in Santiago Leonardo opened a shop about three years ago. He owned the building so its overhead was low. So he took aim at what he thought was a problem in Chile: too much junk food.

Soy mayonnaise, peanuts with salt, with garlic, hot pepper, even healthy dog food for the family pet. Everyday you can find him manning his post, watching the street, speaking to the occasional visitor, trying to bring a bit more health to the Chilean diet.

Chilenas en China

My Chilena goes China in Shangai.

Taking Flight

The textures in this photo were what caught my eye.

Five Years

Nothing to do with Chile, but worth mentioning anyways. Its been five years since the US invaded Iraq. Feel safer?

Reuters has put together a multimedia site telling some of the stories that its staff has experienced and witnessed over these last five years.

Contemplation

What is he thinking about?

Show up early to get a parking spot

As with all parking always best to have a reserved spot.

Dusk hits Algarrobo

As the sun slips past the horizon the sea comes inland while the moon rises. What in the afternoon was a peaceful rock to sit on and enjoy the sea air is now feeling the full brunt of Pacific waves.

Chile In Headlines: Chile cracks down on Gringo "illegals"

The Chilean Interior department has deported three US citizens for working illegally in Chile as fly fishing guides in Aisén, located in the far south of the country.

According to a report in Emol the three gringos didn't have a work permit and weren't paying taxes either.

This comes right after the same department wrapped up an amnesty campaign for Latin American foreigners, granting thousands of visas to Peruvians, Ecudorians, Brazilians, etc, but not to US citizens.

Algarrobo: A Place of Love and Heineken

Need I say more?

Ok...but only because you insist....

Made it to the beach, the salty air refreshed me once again, in a little nook where things are almost ideal...or at least close enough.

Chile In Headlines: Wal-Mart in Talks with D&S

So just last week D&S and Falabella officially dropped plans to merge their operations after Chile’s anti-trust commission rejected the proposed merger.

I said it would be good for Chile, good for small business, but if Wal-Mart buying D&S and entering Chile is the alternative…then hey bring on the merger!

Citing "industry sources" El Mercurio reported that D&S and Wal-Mart have been in talks since “shortly after the merger ended.” Not that entering the market would be easy. US retailers have failed before trying to get into Chile. (JC Penny and Home Depot for example) But Wal-Mart partnered with a successful local firm? Could get traction.

The news has already caught people's attention: the Santiago stock exchange suspended trade on D&S' stock until they clarify what is going on. D&S was quick to deny the rumors, but it was enough to raise at least a few eyebrows.

Riding with the furious

This week was the monthly ride of "Ciclistas Furiosos," in which a couple hundred bike Fanatics get together and ride down the streets during rush hour. It was a nice ride that went into some of the older parts of Santiago where I wouldn't even think of riding at night alone. It brought out all sorts: hippies, kids, office workers, dogs, and even a rat.

Chile In Headlines: Energy Crunch

Chile's government has been forced to take measures in order to ensure that its electrical grid can supply enough energy to meet demand. Rainfall shortages have meant that its hydro electrical dams haven't been able to produce enough electricity to keep up.

The government has created a special commission to deal with the problem. They have created a list of things people can do to decrease their own consumption: use energy saving light bulbs, shut off the computer when you aren't using it, don't defrost food in the microwave, among others. The congress has also passed a law requiring electrical companies to invest and use renewable energies as well.

The crunch has also meant several controversial dams projects will also get the green light from the government. Despite the measures taken, authorities still won't rule out that mandatory blackouts could become necessary in the not so distant future.

Late Night Liquor Store

In the Headlines: Bond comes to Chile

Soy Bond, James Bond....

James Bond will be coming to Chile to shoot the latest flick "The Quantum of Solace." 007 starts shooting on Monday, March 10 and will spend most of his time in the north near Antofagasta.

According to an article in El Mercurio they will shoot a couple of fight scenes that involve two Land Rovers and also film at the Paranal Observatory.

Beach Dogs

Living the hard life of a beach dog.

In the Headlines: Retailers drop merger

Today two of Chile’s largest retailers Falabella and D&S dropped plans to merge their operations into Latin America’s second largest retailer after it was rejected earlier this year by the country’s anti-trust commission.

The merger would have created a Chilean Walmart with a whole lot of power to influence the price of everything from food to domestic electronics to clothes and furniture. Falabella is a department store, something like Sears, and D&S owns one of the country's largest supermarket chains: Lider.

Critics argued it would destroy small businesses and give the company too much power over its providers, while others said it was necessary for the consolidated firm to compete internationally.

I think it is a good sign since it gives more opportunity for small business, there are so many ma and pa stores that would suffer from the conglomerate coming together.

Born to Ride

Nothing could stop this little guy.

Santiago places: La Feria

So over the weekend I made it to this place: Club La Feria. Located in Bellavista it has been described to me as the best place for electronic music in Santiago, and a really good club. Add to that the 6000 peso entry (the mid tier places usually charge around 3000 pesos and give you a crappy rum and coke) that comes without a free drink and I got my expectations up for something really nice.

The pluses of the place: The DJ knew how to DJ, how to do a transition (no trance followed by AC/DC which can happen in a place with a “typical” Chilean DJ, no 80s music..etc). The place had a fairly interesting look to it as well. The bar tenders could make a drink and take money. (Many places have two separate lines, one to pay one to get your drink), and they also were more like bar tenders, if they saw you needed something they came to you.

But the negatives: Needed something more visual, I think they have a TV, but for a place where the DJ is center stage and all he is doing is pushing play on the laptop, video is important. The drinks were a bit expensive 3500 for rum or vodka, 4000 for whiskey, 2000 for a bottle of beer, and it was very small.

So if you really want to dance to some electronic music it is worth it, but just make sure to bring enough cash.