Flat Stanley Visits Santiago

Flat Stanley Visits Santiago

One day in early April, Uncle Artie was surprised to find that a visitor had arrived in his mail from the USA. Flat Stanley was also surprised to find himself in Santiago, Chile, South America.

Flat Stanley is a smaller version of the character in a story titled Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown. Our visitor was sent to us by Artie's great niece, Maddie, who is in second grade at Memorial School in Upton, Massachusetts.

Here are the pictures that we took and sent her about his experiences here in Chile.

Our friend Mónica who works as a tutor of both Spanish and English, gave Flat Stanley a quick lesson in Spanish so that he would be more comfortable in a country where Spanish is spoken.

When he got home, Aunt Margy had already arranged for him to meet some local TV stars from the program "31 Minutos." This award winning Chilean Children's show can be seen in all of Latin America on Nickolodeon.

After his long journey, Flat Stanley told us he was hungry, so we went to the local supermarket. Did you know that many of the fresh fruits and vegtables that you find in the USA in the winter come from Chile? It is summer time in Chile when it is winter in the USA. Notice the signs in Spanish and the prices are in pesos. The number "1" is written differently here!

Flat Stanley had a special treat the next day. He went with Uncle Artie to the home of the US Ambassador to Chile, Craig Kelly, who used to be the Chief of Staff to Colin Powell when the general was working for the President of the United States of America. The Ambassador is the official representative of the United States here in Chile. He is the head of the US Embassy, just as the principal is the head of a school. Ambassador Kelly recognized Flat Stanley, since he had met him before while on the President's plane! Can you imagine that?

Later, Artie took Flat Stanley for a walk around our neighborhood. Just as Washington, DC is the capital of the United States, Santiago is the captital of Chile. Santiago is a city of 5 million people. Flat Stanley was impressed with all of the new construction of tall office buildings and the very modern architecture here.

Later in the week, Aunt Margy took Flat Stanley to the central part of Santiago (el Centro in Spanish). The large building behind him is the Moneda, the office building where the President and her staff work. Did you know that Chile now has a female president? Michelle Bachelet, the first woman president in South America, started her new job in 2006.

This friendly policeman held Flat Stanley's hand for a picture. Here, the policemen are called Carabineros. They are part of the army of Chile. Chile is a safe country, and we all feel quite comfortable here.

Flat Stanley was amazed to see one of the new bending city buses (below). It is twice as long as a normal one, and it has a flexible joint in the middle so it can turn around corners. He was carrying a Chilean flag today, proudly showing it off as we rode home on the bus.

Aunt Margy and Uncle Artie took Flat Stanley to the park that is across the street from our apartment. He had a good time. Before going, we showed him the view from our terrace, where he could see the Andes mountains in the distance, with early autumn snow already on the mountain tops. Also, he could see the kids enjoying themselves in the park below, and he was ready to join them!

In the southern hemisphere of the world it is opposite seasons from the northern hemisphere, so here, we are just starting into fall, while the USA is heading into spring. Flat Stanley climbed a tree to get closer to the colors of the changing leaves. Autumn in April seems strange, doesn't it? Here is is normal. Winter in August really can seem strange, especially when it is snowing in the mountains and people go there to ski!

Flat Stanley hopped onto one of the park playgound structures, next to he tic-tac-toe game, and played for a while with some Chilean youngsters. Then he headed to the swing set where he envied those who could fly high without falling off. It was too big for him to hold on by himself, so he just enjoyed watching.

What does this sign mean?

This sign caught his attention, with all the Spanish wording. The big E with the red line through it is the same as in the USA where a big P might be seen. The word for Parking here is Estacionamiento, so that is why the E is used, and the red line and circle mean "No Parking" on this block (cuadra).

One day we went to the carwash at the local gas station. Flat Stanley had fun riding in the the front with the brushes and water coming VERY close! The prices of gasoline seemed strange. It is priced in pesos per liter. The gas here is about twice as expensive as in the USA.

We also went to a large and very modern supermarket that day. We all enjoyed the lovely view of the snow topped Andes mountains from under the arch just outside the entrance to the store. Inside he found that milk (leche) is sold in one liter bags and boxes! It is treated in a special way so that it lasts a long time without refrigeration. You can't buy fresh chilled milk in gallon or half gallon containers. Once chilled, it tastes like good milk.

Flat Stanley met Abigail, a school girl who is coming to Aunt Margy for English lessons. Abigail helps Aunt Margy practice her Spanish at the same time.

All students below the university level wear uniforms to school. This is the uniform that the girls wear at Abigail's school. Many adults in Chile also wear uniforms for their jobs. These are supplied by their employers. Many of them are attractive suits.

We enjoyed hosting Flat Stanley, and we hope that the children in Maddie's class have enjoyed learning about other places through his adventures.

Later, Artie took Flat Stanley for a walk around our neighborhood. Just as Washington, DC is the capital of the United States, Santiago is the captital of Chile. Santiago is a city of 5 million people. Flat Stanley was impressed with all of the new construction of tall office buildings and the very modern architecture here.

Aunt Margy and Uncle Artie took Flat Stanley to the park that is across the street from our apartment. He had a good time. Before going, we showed him the view from our terrace, where he could see the Andes mountains in the distance, with early autumn snow already on the mountain tops. Also, he could see the kids enjoying themselves in the park below, and he was ready to join them!

In the southern hemisphere of the world it is opposite seasons from the northern hemisphere, so here, we are just starting into fall, while the USA is heading into spring. Flat Stanley climbed a tree to get closer to the colors of the changing leaves. Autumn in April seems strange, doesn't it? Here is is normal. Winter in August really can seem strange, especially when it is snowing in the mountains and people go there to ski!

		Flat Stanley hopped onto one of the park playgound structures, next to he tic-tac-toe game, and played for a while with some Chilean youngsters. Then he headed to the swing set where he envied those who could fly high without falling off. It was too big for him to hold on by himself, so he just enjoyed watching.

What does this sign mean?
		This sign caught his attention, with all the Spanish wording. The big E with the red line through it is the same as in the USA where a big P might be seen. The word for Parking here is Estacionamiento, so that is why the E is used, and the red line and circle mean "No Parking" on this block (cuadra).


One day we went to the carwash at the local gas station. Flat Stanley had fun riding in the the front with the brushes and water coming VERY close! The prices of gasoline seemed strange. It is priced in pesos per liter. The gas here is about twice as expensive as in the USA.


We also went to a large and very modern supermarket that day. We all enjoyed the lovely view of the snow topped Andes mountains from under the arch just outside the entrance to the store. Inside he found that milk (leche) is sold in one liter bags and boxes! It is treated in a special way so that it lasts a long time without refrigeration. You can't buy fresh chilled milk in gallon or half gallon containers. Once chilled, it tastes like good milk.

		Flat Stanley met Abigail, a school girl who is coming to Aunt Margy for English lessons. Abigail helps Aunt Margy practice her Spanish at the same time. All students below the university level wear uniforms to school. This is the uniform that the girls wear at Abigail's school. Many adults in Chile also wear uniforms for their jobs. These are supplied by their employers. Many of them are attractive suits.

We enjoyed hosting Flat Stanley, and we hope that the children in Maddie's class have enjoyed learning about other places through his adventures.