Don't let the title fool you. In this blog post I am NOT going to talk about this: ...nor this: ...and, sadly, not even this: ...because I feel it is about time to make you all aware of a wonderful smartphone app that I have come to love (and need here in Chile)... WhatsApp is a messaging app which allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for texts. WhatsApp uses the same internet data plan (or WiFi) that you use for email and web browsing, so there is no cost to staying in touch! In addition, you can create groups, send each other unlimited images, video and audio media messages. Maybe the "without having to pay for texts or minutes" doesn't grab your attention so fast because you are blessed with unlimited texts included in your plan. However, here in Chile, and many other countries as well, Whatsapp has become the most popular form of mobile phone communication because the world of "unlimited calls & texts" just isn't common... But my main point of this blog is that I feel that you could soon come to love this app too, because, well, it means WE can text/call, even from thousands of miles away! {fist pump} Did you know that...
For you visual and audio learners out there, here are some infographics and a video to sum it all up: If you're a smart phone user and you want to see whatsapp in my life, send me an email or Facebook message and I will share my Whatsapp number with you!
p.s. BTW FWIW,TTYL ADN IYKWIM LOL
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One of the questions I was sure to hear on a daily basis at school: “¿Tienes confort?” “All of these truths we hold to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, liberty, and toilet paper in public places.” Well, I never was the best at history. However, growing up in the USA one might never think twice about if there will be toilet paper before entering a public bathroom. In fact, I don’t think it is too much to say that it is nearly a social crime to not provide your patrons with a sufficient supply of "decent" toilet paper. I am going to guess that you most likely have either had and/or overheard a conversation much like the following: A: "Can you believe that they still don't have any toilet paper in there?" B: "Uh, I know, so ridiculous. And when they do it is only 1-ply...ug." A: "1-ply? Puh-lease. You mean half-ply?" B: "Mmmmmhhhhhmmmm. True dat." Let’s go back to: “¿Tienes confort?” {tee-en-ehs-cone-fort} Did you figure out what it means yet? Maybe this picture will help: The word Confort could be compared to the USA’s usage of Kleenex…a name brand turned common term. Confort is also a Chileanism so you can imagine my confusion at first when asked this question…wait, do you want to know if I’m comfortable? A confier? Do I have a conifer tree? Is that a way to say gum here in Chile? After a few gestures it became known that the conversation was about toilet paper. Do you have toilet paper? Ahhh, sí…that makes so much more sense…. Something I have learned while traveling and living in other countries is that toilet paper is not a requirement, but rather a luxury…many places do not provide toilet paper so it is safest to always carry a roll with you, or, at the very least, a package of tissues. In conclusion"¿Tienes confort?" can be translated to standard English "Do you have toilet paper?" and if you also speak Seinfeldease you might say "Do you have a square to spare?" Oh, and while we're on the topic, don't flush your confort here. Bathroom wastebins get much more use in Latin America and other places in the world versus the USA. But fear not! If you're traveling and not sure if your used paper should go in the bowl or the bin, someone has taken the time to save you from a potentially awkward social situation: www.wheredoiputthepaper.com. (Not only a practical website, but quite entertaining as well.) A new ley {lay} went into effect in Chile on January 1, 2016. The law states that you must have in your car a reflective vest and you must wear it if stepping out of your auto {ow-toe} while in traffic. Not complying with this law could result in una multa {oo-nah-mool-tah} of between 10,000 and 22,000 pesos (USD$14-$30). There are, of course, many different opiniones {oh-pin-ee-oh-neys} about this new law...but my goal here of this blog is actually a Spanish lesson! Even if you don't know much Spanish, I think you could easily determine what this sign says! Give it a try! Easy...right?
And now, click HERE to practice your Chilean Spanish listening ability with this newscast. If you look outside your window, do you see snow? Have you started to layer on the clothes and jackets? Are you currently wearing more than one pair of socks? Have you recently had to shovel your sidewalk or scrape ice off your car? Do your nose hairs freeze themselves together within a few minutes of breathing in that fresh Winter air? Are you craving a day to hide underneath 5 blankets with a mug of warm chocolate? If you answered yes to any (or unfortunately all) of the above questions, then this post is for you! My intentions are not to make you sad nor to make you long for the summertime days that are now only a memory. My hope is that a little talk about a couple of warm things will take your mind off of the blustery days ahead, even if just for a few moments. Uno). It is getting toasty here in central Chile. Nearly Every day the last couple of weeks it has gotten up to about 30-32 degrees…Celsius, that is. In Fahrenheit that’s about 88-91 degrees. Dos). Chileans drink lots of tea. I don’t think I have gone a day without tea since arriving here! Even when it getting warmer, there is still hot tea at breakfast every morning. When referring to tea, please don’t imagine the numerous shelves of flavored tea available in any USA grocery store. When dining at a Chilean’s house you will be served black tea. There are some occasional flavored teas that I have been offered, but the majority of the time, any other herbal tea is reserved as a treatment for some sort of ailment. Tres). I’ve talked before about my lovely gas tank and the amazing things it makes possible. One of those is hot water: Sending warm thoughts and Olaf hugs your way!
It has been a long road, but this week I finally picked up my Chilean ID card, known as carnet {pronounced car-net}! Isn't it bonito? Ok, yes, the pictures is terrible...but they don't let you smile...and when someone tells you NOT to smile, then that's all you want to do! Sigh. Below is a glimpse into the steps we took to get this official card...and I have included 2 versions of the story in case you're not very interested or are short on time. Why did it all take so long? Good question. Please note that some of the steps took multiple days because some businesses such as banks close at 2 pm, the Civil Registry was on strike for a while, sometimes somebody isn't around to sign a paper, and sometimes your dog eats your mail. Enjoy! The Road to a Chilean ID: Spark Notes, for those short on time
The Road to a Chilean ID: A Novel, for those truly intriguedWhile still in the USA (about 1 month):
In Chile (about 6 months):
Congratulations! Since you read THIS far, you have certainly earned a picture of my cute puppy: Have a great day!
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