For those reading that are Canadian, we are all used to the occasional perception of an American assuming that we live in igloos, have snow most of the year and have health care that is terrible (we actually rank higher globally in health care than the USA). However, we as Canadians often share an American's perspective on Latin America, and this view is just as far from the truth. Every time someone in Canada has heard that I have either been or am going to South America they get a look of concern on their faces and think it is crazy. Like I am heading to some insane part of the world where everyone is either about to rob you or just kill you for fun.
Latin American people dont live in a world where everyone drives a rickshaw or piles 6 people on a motorcycle. Some actually have cars as nice as ours, although somewhat more fuel efficient. They even have some models that we dont get, which are pretty damn cool. Guess what? They dont all live in buildings made from whatever they could get there hands on, although there are some places made from old shipping containers, but even these have been modifed into awesome little cabanas that the beach towns rent out to tourists. People also have running water AND electricity, all the way to the inside of their homes. Most people have a cell phone and many have internet in thier homes. Here in Chile, not only do they rank better than the USA in crime and by a fair distance, but also in health care. They even beat out the USA in life expectancy. Oh, and many of their roads are paved (occassionally with chickens by the side of them, that stereotype is true).
Having said this, one cant deny that Latin America is third world, or in modern terms, developing. Thanks primarily to many years of corrupt governments and interference in natural resource profits by the United States (and Canada to a lesser degree), there is an aweful lot of poverty. From the USA border with Mexico to the tip of Tierra Del Fuego, not a single country exists that isnt deemed Developing, which is horribly unfortunate. Being considered a developing nation doesnt mean that everyone in the country is poor though, it is based on an overall average. In Chile and the rest of South America there is a large disparity between the upper class and the rest, and a huge number of people get pegged into the slot of lower class. Not a term I am endeared too, lower class somehow indicates less worth as a person, not the socio-economic situation in which one was born, and struggles throughout a lifetime to escape. Usually the kindness of people born into this realm is what binds them there, simply lacking the cut-throat greed of the wealthier tier. In many ways this mirrors what many are concerned with for the future in North America.
Darker the green, the more developed. The two darket greens are developed nations.
For the most part, when a North American heads south what they see is the more upscale areas of the countries. You probably wont be wandering around a shanty town with mud filled streets. You will instead see cities rich in history, often resembling Europe. You will see beautiful centre squares that actually get used, lots of parks and green space, and waterfront towns with well laid out boardwalks. If you are intelligent as a tourist and dont do stupid things, the nicer parts of these cities will offer you all the amenities you need and you wont be robbed. If your a dumbass and flash huge amounts of money around while walking through the poorest area of town then Darwinism rears it's ugly head and you deserve what happens to you. During both of my visits to Santiago, I have seen less homeless than any trip to either Vancouver or Seattle, and Santiago has a much larger population. I have also witnessed more kindness to the less fortunate than I see at home. On a more negative note however, begging for money seems to be a little bit more of a social norm. I dont recall this being nearly as noticeable last year with Chris and Al, but this year, not a single dinner in Santiago went by without at minimum 3 people approaching and just asking for money. There were plenty of instances during our trip when we did give a few pesos to someone in need, but the constant approaching during meals was disconcerting. Perhaps the people doing so use it as a guilt thing, after all, you can afford a meal out and they need to beg. It just became a little much, especially after not seeing it 1 year ago. At one point I saw an older woman walking around with a baby in her arms, asking people for money. From my spot having coffee I could see what she was craddling was actually a doll.
Out of the cities there are quant little towns, with homes that may not be up to our standards, but appear quite comfortable and often have well tended gardens. My guess is that most of these homes are fully paid off, leaving the resident to a less stressful existance not having to struggle with a mortgage. Judging from the wires leading to the houses, either these folks have electricity too, or an aweful lot of laundry. The people of these towns are invariably friendly and happy to see you. None have kidnapped me and tried to ransom me. I would imagine if one spent a few days in any of these towns, you might end up invited to stay with someone. The towns offer a certain charm hard to find in Canada or the USA.
Whether you visit a large city or a town, the people seem to be extremely tight knit as a family. When they see a friend they light up with happiness and have stirring conversations. They hug one another warmly when parting ways. Watching others at dinner, you notice that the cell phones are for the most part put away, and real conversation occurs. People seem happy, regardless of their status in society and they seem decent. They may speak a different language, but the smile and laugh the same (usually at us).
A visit to a grocery store may not offer you the prepared foods in cans and boxes that you have been accustomed too, but you will find everything you need to make whatever you desire, it will just have to be from scratch (think of all the sugars and salts you wont be eating). Driving on the very good quality roads is also not an issue. The main roads are in good condition, not washed out dirt tracks on mountain sides. Although those types of roads certainly do exist, they are the exception, not the rule, and can only be found when fairly far off the beaten path. We never got hit up for bribes from corrupt officials (although this does happen on occasion in some Countries, just have 2 wallets on you). We never got robbed at gunpoint on the highways. We did get cut off a few times, honked at once or twice, and passed at speeds near doubling ours. Overall, the roads are safe.
In so many ways, you can feel like you never left your country too. Hotels are typically decent and welcoming (just avoid the Los Andes Suites). Restaurants serve (slowly) food of all types, and an American cuisine isn't too difficult to find if that is your preference. Many gas stations are amazing and offer food, snacks, drinks and even showers if you need one.
Our continent and it's southern sister share many similarities. Both discovered (again, sounds better than conquered) at the same time, with South America slighly smaller and with a little bit more population. Both share their European roots in religion and architecture but have followed different paths. First as colonies of the Old World and later as indepenent nations creating their own unique cultures. As the decades from colonial rule passed, more differences emerged within each country creating seperate micro cultures throughout Latin America. Chile, with the Atacama desert to the north, Andes mountains to the east and ocean in remaining directions, was the most isolated of all, creating differrences in language, food and more. Chile is not Mexico, I have been told it is closer to Spain, although I dont speak from experience on this one. Chile has so many European influences, including many German and Dutch, that it really is an entity all to itself.
Latin America.... It's not backwards, it's not dangerous, it's just different, mostly in a good way.
