-SANTIAGO AS I KNOW IT-
Santiago, like a needle in a haystack, lies hidden somewhere in the bottom of the globe. If Colombus would have seen it, he would have sworn it is on the verge of falling off . Santiago? Is that the name of the tribe or a culinary creation? Indeed, very few have actually taken some time to see where this long and narrow piece of land lies. Not many can claim to have actually unfolded an old and yellow map stored in the glove compartment of the old '72 Opel, stored in the garage, to pinpoint its location. Nevertheless it is here, and it is real. More than 16 million inhabitants can prove me right.
With a bit of will, and lots of imagination, you could even say we are a civilized bunch. But then again, it all depends on just what you mean by civilized. Take our streets for example. Stroll around in your car, that is if you have the insane idea of driving around the city during the broad daylight, and you shall see that we are a pretty modern and civilized nation. Just look around, I tell myself, this is as civilized as life can get! Cars honking about, pedestrians making daring attempts to cross a street and actually making it alive, buses driving in lanes exclusively designated for small vehicles, you name it! We have even adapted foreign communication codes to our daily living. Bus drivers are a good example of this. If you should dare make the slightest gesture to an angry bus driver, he shall extend his left arm, stick out his middle finger as if saying "sir, I am terribly sorry for my imprudence. I shall be more carefull in the future". Isn't that what civilization is supposed to be all about? Communicating efficiently with others? And what if you are not within distance of displaying such courtesy visually? Then the good old horn replaces the body language, with a more persuasive approach. Every honk, repeated and extended, seems to say: "Sir, I cannot view the problem from here, but through the honking of my horn I would like to express my concern. Do you have any idea of why this lane is not moving by any chance? Any information will be highly appreciated by me and those behind me. Thank you".
It doesn't take too much effort to learn these basic codes and in no time at all, you will fit in as one of us, and even come to know Santiago as I know it.
With a bit of will, and lots of imagination, you could even say we are a civilized bunch. But then again, it all depends on just what you mean by civilized. Take our streets for example. Stroll around in your car, that is if you have the insane idea of driving around the city during the broad daylight, and you shall see that we are a pretty modern and civilized nation. Just look around, I tell myself, this is as civilized as life can get! Cars honking about, pedestrians making daring attempts to cross a street and actually making it alive, buses driving in lanes exclusively designated for small vehicles, you name it! We have even adapted foreign communication codes to our daily living. Bus drivers are a good example of this. If you should dare make the slightest gesture to an angry bus driver, he shall extend his left arm, stick out his middle finger as if saying "sir, I am terribly sorry for my imprudence. I shall be more carefull in the future". Isn't that what civilization is supposed to be all about? Communicating efficiently with others? And what if you are not within distance of displaying such courtesy visually? Then the good old horn replaces the body language, with a more persuasive approach. Every honk, repeated and extended, seems to say: "Sir, I cannot view the problem from here, but through the honking of my horn I would like to express my concern. Do you have any idea of why this lane is not moving by any chance? Any information will be highly appreciated by me and those behind me. Thank you".
It doesn't take too much effort to learn these basic codes and in no time at all, you will fit in as one of us, and even come to know Santiago as I know it.
-Claudio Aliaga
posted by Claudio Aliaga at 12:33 PM
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