Explore the cultural diversity of Latin America
Chile may be considered “New World” and the popularity of its wines may have only exploded internationally in “recent” years. However, grapevines for use in winemaking were planted hundreds of years ago. Learn about how Chilean grapevines escaped a dreaded disease in the 1800s, and how the country is thus home to some of the […]
Read MoreLeaning into the afternoons is another poem about love by Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda. The first time I read it, I got a sense of an older person talking to his love.  Perhaps senility was playing its ugly hand and taking his love away bit by bit. ‘The experts” seem to have other ideas, however. They […]
Read MoreThe passion of love, the passion of life are brilliantly evoked in Pablo Neruda’s poetry. He wrote about love, the effects of being in love, the fire, the agony and the despair of love lost. In life, he was married a few times. Relationships with each wife seeming to have overlapped with previous relationships… He […]
Read MoreAgain while bloghopping I was thrilled to come across gorgeous photos and a very interesting post by Image Earth Travel on ValparaÃso. Just 120 km northwest of Chile’s capital, Santiago, is the major city, seaport, and educational center (home to 7 universities) of ValparaÃso. It is the second largest metropolitan area in the country. ValparaÃso has been […]
Read MoreThe sea, the ocean, the beach is a part of my soul. Some of my happiest memories are tied to the sea. I’ve sat on the sand and pondered life. I’ve walked along the shore and felt peace. I’ve gazed out into the horizon and felt melancholy. I’ve played in the water and experienced utter […]
Read MoreThe month of May is almost over and I just realised I didn’t do a month in books post. M-Â Mala Onda (Bad Vibes) by Alberto Fuguet A- Aunt Julia and the Script Writer by Mario Vargas Llosa Y- Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina M For this ‘trip’ […]
Read MoreWhen you love someone, is it enough to know you love them? In this poem by Pablo Neruda, the poet describes his feelings for his love, understanding her feelings from her silence. He acts accordingly so that she can feel the depth of his emotion. True feelings of love remain, even in silence. “And let me […]
Read MoreChile’s most acclaimed poet, Pablo Neruda, wrote beautiful poems of love, beauty, loss, grief and rebellion. Today I’d like to share one of his love poems. In Don’t Go Far Off (No lejos de mà un solo dÃa) the poet reveals the depth of emotion he holds for his love. He aches if he […]
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Amazon Crossing is celebrating World Book Day by giving away nine Kindle books from around the world for free. World Book Day is officially on April 23rd but the offer for these nine free books is open now until April 24, 2018. Ten Women by Marcela Serrano (Chile) The Light of the Fireflies […]
Read MoreOne of my favourite books is The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende. This story uses the Chilean dictatorship period as its backdrop and is infused with the lyrical magical realism which characterises much of Latin American Literature. I recommend this book to all the students who pass through my Latin American History classes, […]
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