From One Culture To The Next

Big city living. It moves sometimes without you. People walk with their heads down thinking of the next thing they have to do. Living and growing up in Vancouver, I recognize how lucky I am to have the things I have and to live the way I live. It is definitely easy to take the little things for granted since they are things we sometimes don’t pay much attention to. Visiting my grandpa, I am reminded of the simple way of living that we sometimes are too busy or oblivious to notice and even choose.

My grandpa recently moved from the busy capital of Santiago to the small town of Victoria. With that move comes changes and simplicities that I, coming from a busy Canadian town, may not be used to but yet like and appreciate.

Let’s start with hot water; something that we definitely take for granted in North America. Although I regularly pay bills and understand that overuse leads to higher cost, it can easily seem out of sight out of mind. Here at my grandpa’s house I am reminded of the importance to conserve, save, and to recognize cultural differences. My grandpa regularly buys a 45 kilo propane tank which provides gas for his stove and hot water. Jumping into the shower at home, it is easy to enjoy a hot shower whenever I want. During this trip however, I have been quickly jumping in and out of the shower in order to not waste too much gas. Sometimes I even shut the water off while shampooing and lathering up.

Central heating. Most of us enjoy this luxury without even thinking twice about it. Here heat comes with the price of a 15 kilo propane tank which is inserted into a portable heater. At night heaters are turned off and warm blankets are relied upon instead until morning. This small town also has fire wood ovens which provide some families the heat they need to get through the winter chill as well as hot water. A solid stash of wood can be found next to many houses.

One of my favourite things when traveling is enjoying the food and where it comes from. Life in the city is busy. Most of my shopping is done at a busy grocery store where only a small portion of fruits and veggies is local and the rest is brought in from all over the world. Here there are grocery stores but also vendors who offer fresh produce every day of the week, whether at weekly outdoor markets or on select street corners.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my home and my city. I value my way of living and the luxuries I am lucky enough to enjoy. Being in Chile at my grandpa’s however, gives me another perspective that I equally enjoy. This is the joy of traveling and why I encourage people to do it. It is only through travel that you can fully immerse yourself in another culture and way of living. Similarities and differences offer new perspectives and make you more aware and appreciative of what you have. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Victoria. The slower paced life, the friendly people, and the sunny weather makes me want to come back soon. Chile 2020, it’s been a blast. See you soon.