- 10 May 2010
- 10:02am
- Filed under
news, Shared Experiences, Traveller Tips
Chile open for business
Venessa PaechLonely Planet author
Thorn Tree member and Chilean resident vnrose is well known in our community for providing helpful advice to travellers.
We asked vnrose how Chile is faring post-earthquake, from a local viewpoint.
It isn’t easy when your two claims to fame as a country are General Pinochet and a couple of the largest earthquakes on record. Although, on the whole, it is nicer to be remembered for a natural disaster than a national one. Anyway, the latest of these big quakes made news around the world.
Unfortunately not all of the news reported was accurate. Two thirds of the country was still standing, indeed chugging along, but you would not have known it. People cancelled their planned visits to Torres del Paine, San Pedro de Atacama and Easter Island – places which never even felt the quake. The tourist industry took a body blow in March. Fortunately high season had just ended or losses could have been greater.
Everyone has their earthquake story.
Good manners dictate that you listen to others and they listen to you. It is a basic way of dealing with the trauma. Some of the stories are quite funny in hindsight. Like my friend’s 90 year old mother who was ‘rescued’ from the pavement in front of her building in Valparaíso by some men in a bread van and deposited, in her nightie, safe from tsunamis, on a hilltop but without any idea where she was.
It took them hours to find her.
Some are never going to be funny, like another friend in Concepción who ran out of her building only to have it collapse behind her, leaving her worldly possessions reduced to her pyjamas.
Nightwear plays a big part in earthquake stories.
The thing is, this is Chile. Chileans are forged in a narrow space between the Andes and the Pacific. You can throw any disaster at them and they bounce back. They don’t know how to give up. It just isn’t in their DNA. This was a disaster which crossed the social and economic lines. Some lost their homes and others lost their livelihood. The more unfortunate lost a loved one. But that means everyone is pulling together to rebuild as quickly as possible.
So what is the situation for visitors now?
As far as the average tourist is concerned, Chile is open for business. It has been for a while now. What is needed is customers.
The pristine views in Torres del Paine are there waiting, as is the unique Atacama desert. Easter Island is calling. The skiing season will open in June. The Colchagua valley lost a lot of wine and some iconic old adobe houses, but most vineyards have been running wine tours since March. In the Casablanca valley they never stopped. Flights and ground transport are working normally.
Think of it: the determined travellers will have the place to themselves. All the people who never look at a map have cancelled!
Oh, there are aftershocks. They are part of the game. But let’s face it; if something didn’t collapse in the original quake it isn’t likely to now. Structural engineers have been crawling over everything like ants for two months.
The best thing you can do for Chile is come. Come and see for yourself. If you were welcome before, you are even more welcome now.
[Photos: Courtesy, vnrose]
Absolutely right but I need to caution though that around Concepcion life has NOT returned to normal and vistor should best avoid that part. Keep in mind that Chile is a very long country. Streched across North America it goes from the tip of Florida to the Hudson Bay. Cancelling a holidy in the Lakes District or San Pedro because of the earthquake is like cancelling a holiday in Oregon because of Huricane Katrina or something similar.
i will be biking in Chile in dec on ward to march. mostly centreal part of country. looking frwd to it. it will be once again full of tourists again by that time no doubt.
We are in Concepcion right now, we’ve been here for the last two months trying to help in what we can.
We can tell you that life here is almost normal, except of course for the coastal towns directly affected by the tsunami.
But there are lot’s of things to do in this area besides going to the beach, the vineyards and ski resorts for example.
We agree with venessapaech, the best thing you can do to help is come here, have a great time and see for yourself what’s going on.
it’s good to hear that the chile is back on its feet and keeping it together. sometimes the media, albeit with good intentions, may a paint a place negatively in a general way. its refreshing to read the chilean earthquake situation from a locals perspective. i think more people need to hear that its still and lovely to go there. and i loved the story about your friends mother. i can totally picture that.
JR @ [The Drifters Blog|http://www.driftersblog.com]
Well written, OP, and thank you.
You should work for the Chamber of Commerce.
Excellent report from vnrose, the connections between all the main attractions on Chile are open, fluid and on time. Just need of costumers that want to enjoy the calm of the low season.
Happy trails!
Sergio.
In Pucón, appr. 800km south of Santiago, the earthquake hit with 8,5 Richter. However, since constructions of this cozy but adventurous mountain village are mainly made of wood, nothing serious happened. Pucón has been and is save. All touristic services are running: You can raft world class rivers, hike the active volcano Villarrica (currently you see magma splashing at the crater!), do canopy, go on stunning horse back tours, go husky sleighing, relax in one of the many natural hot springs and much more.
For some great pics and further info, check the Facebook page of “ELEMENTOS – Outdoor Adventures – Pucón, Chile”.
Totally agree – Just got from working with a volunteer company out in Chile..was there during the earthquake too. Chile is open for business – just depends on whether you have the balls.
I’d say go for it :)
xxx
I am on my way. Looks like a great country. Great article VNRose
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From the desk of Vincent K.M.