The Chilean Brand of Niceness

It was astounding to me how people would not get frustrated or run out of patience or not worry about their time for the cause of helping a stranger. I figured my expectations may be arising out of my experience as an Indian in India, where I am extremely vigilant of people and have accepted the rough-around-the-edges behavior as a way of life. People were willing, sometimes even going out of their way to try to help me out. it could also be pity-help for they realise that I, with my "mierda" spanish cannot get by without them guiding and helping.

I remember how on my first day in the country, I didn't have a card or cash converted to the local currency to buy a metro card and one of the metro staff caught me helplessly scrambling at one of the ticket vending machines. She approached me, understood my plight and just let me through the turnstile for free. Then there was this one caretaker at the entry of one of the national parks who let me in without a ticket (national parks in Chile are not cheap) because of a genuine issue with my credit card, I wondered if someone from outside would have a similar experience in India, without being frowned upon and suspected for being a scammer.

"De India?! Oy Oy Oy!"

It was also surprising to me how Indians, a species found almost everywhere on the planet, were almost absent - as residents OR tourists - in the country and I found myself being the first Indian some people and hosts of most establishments I stayed in, had ever met or seen. It was heartening to see how they were intrigued and curious to know more about the Indian culture. I told them how Indians, as a population, spoke so many mutually unintelligible languages, and how there were people in my city of Delhi than there were in all of Chile, and how our food was so different to the kind in Chile.

Maria Ximena, the owner of a stationery store I went to, in the city of Coyhaique was so fascinated when she learnt that I, an unsuspecting customer wanting to buy a pen, was from India, that she kept me engaged in conversation long after the transaction was over, wanting to know more about the country. She was so cheered by the interaction (I also gave her a 100 rupee banknote as a souvenir, showed her all the languages we speak, on its backside), she gave me a warm hug (and then another) and insisted that I keep her posted of my journey ahead. 

Fantastic Hosts and where to find them

I know. I know! It is possible that this section will have some bias, because I picked and chose my stays in Chile, through a process of selection based on ratings and feedbacks, naturally selecting the good ones for myself.

It is possible that they were hospitable because it was their job to and they may behave differently if they encounter me in a situation where they would have to help me out of pure instinct to help, sans any transaction. Nonetheless, most of my hosts were extremely kind and helpful to me and this debrief is my tribute to a couple of them for making my experience, and in turn, my trip, a little better.

Fernando is a Spaniard living in Coyhaique and the owner of an airbnb I booked even before my trip to Chile began. We connected on whatsapp and there began a streak of his guidance and help that continued throughout the trip, even after I completed my stay at his place.

Since the beginning of my trip, he would stay in touch, tell me to be cautious in certain situations, give me small hacks to get around, ping me every now and then asking how my trip was going and suggest some things here and there which actually ended up making my trip much better and informed.

It was quite a moment for me to have made it all the way to Coyhaique in the south and actually meet him in flesh after all those messages exchanged between us. And during my actual stay at his place, which I extended by a day, he made sure I was at ease and guided my navigation throuigh the city. It was not easy moving on but I assured myself I'd be back one day.

Fabian was the host and owner of the stay I booked in Punta Arenas. And Fabian ended up being much more than a host. Having no common languages to communicate in ("espanol mierda" remember?), google translate helped me understand the guy - a lively and free-spirited hombre, content and happy with the life he lives, in the city he lives and the work he does. He also loves Latin American rock and blues music and is a great wordsmith, with his metaphors and tropes ready to fire, whenever you discuss something with him - Life, the Universe and Everything.

David, the host of the place I stayed in on the first day of my trip. Extremely kind, warm and a gracious host - I had a fun time staying with him and his dog, Gordita. I loved the place so much I decided to stay at his place on my last night in the country before I flew out the next day. It was fitting that I concluded the trip right from where it started - at David's place.

And there are a whole lot more - a whole population who was never unkind to me during my entire time in the country. It was these momentary and short-lived interactions with people on buses, ferries, metros, sidewalks, restaurants, airports and everywhere else that made my trip all the more wholesome.