"Where would you like to go?"

Hiya!

I'm procrastinating:
I'm supposed to be writing a research proposal - well actually first, reading articles to be able to produce the aforementioned piece of work.
So I'm transferring data to a portable hard drive to copy to my new laptop and I've decided to address this question.
It's something that comes up in conversations with people often enough, whether you've known them for a long time or not. I'm usually not sure what to answer. I've had ideas...but never really settled on anything.

In the past I've thought about Japan (when I was watching anime lots - over 6 years ago), then Iceland (I still think it's cool - but was more into it 1-2 years ago), Greece (after I saw Mama Mia...it looked really pretty), Spain (just dude man) and Brazil (but the crime rate is a little frightening). I've also thought about Europe in general (people who I know have gone there to visit/take tours...seems cool enough).

Yesterday, while in my Biology class, my project partner (he's from Ecuador) decided to ask me that very question. I said I wasn't sure. Then he said "What about in South America?" So, out of nowhere I said Chile.
He asked why? I said because it's long and has volcanoes. He started laughing. But then I decided to look up stuff about Chile. Now, I probably shouldn't base my opinion about a country on a couple articles, but there's one in particular that makes it sound like pure awesomeness!

Check it out:
Santiago, Chile is a city with well over 5 million people. It’s one of the most advanced cities I’ve ever lived in. It’s also one of the cleanest cities I have ever observed.

The doctors here take the practice of medicine extremely serious, like being an artist taking art to an almost spiritual level, and no they don’t play golf. If you wind up in the hospital for something here, you’ll be in good hands. Again, I know from first hand experience. Here, they’re not concerned about your Medical card and all that red tape crap you would face in the states, here they put the patients’ health first, money matters later.

Chileans are a nocturnal people. Once you make a few friends, it’s not uncommon for people to come by your house late at night and stay late. This was something I had to get used to. Fridays are usually the days that you’ll have an unexpected guest. They may just drop over for a cup of tea…………at 11pm and stay till 2am. This is considered normal so if you are not a nightowl, develop the habit.

It’s easy to find a place to live, with a little persistence, an apartment was secured with a rent of approximately $200 dollars monthly. It’s an older building but very clean and well maintained.

If you don’t own a car, no problem the public transportation is absolutely the best. Buses run in all directions very frequently and all night. If you miss a bus to downtown, not to worry, your wait time for the next one will be about ten minutes max. They begin to run a bit slower after about 2am though. The fare: 330 Pesos, again, less than 50 cents. There is a subway system, and it is rivaled only by the English Tube. The trains are on time, speedy and very clean. You’ll find no graffiti on them. They’ll take you just about anywhere you want to go. I’ll tell you now, the buses and subways are always crowded. Expect close quarters on public transportation at all times.



Those are just a few of the things that seem really cool about it. It's clean, has public transportation, people seem laid back (and they like tea!), the scenery look amazing! Nice doctors, the police are generally not corrupt, so many different climates to visit, phone/internet/rent are not terrible and amaaaaazing food (or so he says) :P

Perhaps I'll settle on another place for my "Where would you like to go?" answer, but for the moment I'm feeling very Chilean.
I also found a blog where someone shows pics from there/adventures. It's pretty new...but still cool.

So, now I have to try Chilean food (apart from empanadas).