parents, here are some tips & tricks for pvt:
1. we have much lower standards since leaving the states. don’t be alarmed. somewhere deep down is the sweet, well-mannered child you raised.
2. download maps.me, type in santiago, chile & download the city. you can change the settings to spanish and kilometers so it can direct the taxi driver exactly to where you need to go. make sure you save places (housing, food, etc.). the option to save will show up if you tap on the location (star plus is on the lower left). taxi drivers sometimes up the prices for foreigners so either go in with a set price or try to negotiate.
3. if it’s peel-able, then it’s safe. don’t try the lettuce unless you’re at a nice restaurant, & even then, most US doctors say its inadvisable.
4. we really do appreciate you sacrificing your time and baggage (literally) to help us out. we miss you and a lot of america’s conveniences so getting a little taste of home is precious.
5. you don’t need an international phone plan for a week. wifi can be found almost anywhere. some people prefer to use whatsapp to imessage. if you both have an iphone, imessage works with wifi.
6. you don’t have to pack that much. pack clothes that make you feel like you. you don’t need to buy “mission trip” clothes for the week. it might be nice to bring at least one nice outfit when touring the town. we have survived off of three to five outfits this year, so it’s possible for PVT!
7. most people in south america don’t speak english. download google translate. if you’re at a restaurant and you can’t read the menu, there is a camera option that you hold over the menu and it translates it for you. or if you’re trying to talk to someone and need a Spanish dictionary, you can type in a word or phrase and it’ll translate for you.
it would also be helpful to know a few spanish phrases: http://www.fluentu.com/spanish/blog/useful-spanish-travel-phrases-words/
8. don’t panic if you forget something. last minute necessities can be bought at the “walmart” in santiago called lider or a local convenience store.
9. watch out for your belongings. always hold your valuables tight and have accountability of personal items. in crowded places, it’s helpful to keep purses, backpacks, and wallets on the front, not back. don’t be paranoid, just be aware of your surroundings. Tourists are easy targets for pick-pocketers.
10. you don’t need to bring a water purification system. santiago is very westernized like the US. safe water will be provided.
11. bring a camera. you’ll want to take lots of pics.
12. just to be safe, bring a copy of your passport. things happen. put an extra copy in your carry-on in case you lose your purse/wallet.
13. a converter may be helpful. sometimes there are dual outlets but if you want to be on the safe side, amazon has a converter that is universal so it’ll work in almost every country.
14. let your credit/debit card company know you’re leaving the country. there are ATMs everywhere. when you arrive, there will be several ATMs at the airport so take some cash out for taxis, food, and supplies that you might need. if you don’t know how much, take $50 (~32,000 chilean pesos) and start there. in big cities in south america, there are typically ATMs on every corner, just like starbucks in america. both like to take your money. ?? some places in south america only accept cash (chilean pesos) so be prepared for that. they’ll usually have credit card signs on the door if they take them. tips are usually included in food bills but rule of thumb is 10% if not.
15. public bathrooms usually cost money & sometimes don’t have toilet paper so always have a little on stash.
we can’t wait to see you in a few weeks!
