IRINA TRAVELING - Official Web Site - Unusual things in Latin America

Every country has its own characteristics. But there are also out of the ordinary things. Even unusual for a different culture that seem wild or inexplicable. Let’s consider some of them on the example of South America.

In Honduras, there is periodically “fish rain”.

For over 100 years, there have been reports of its fall every year. Every year, between May and June, a dark cloud appears in the sky, thunder rumbles, a strong wind blows. And for 2-3 hours it rains heavily, after which hundreds of living fish remain on the earth. collected by people and carried to cook.

The conventional explanation is that strong winds and tornadoes lift fish in the ocean, but many people believe that this is due to Jose’s father, a Spanish Catholic messiah. When visiting Honduras in 1856-1864, he met many poor people. , for which he prayed for 3 days and 3 nights, asking God for a miracle that would help them survive. Since then, it began to rain from fish.

Some indigenous tribes do not have contact with civilization .

In the modern world, it is difficult to imagine that something could not have been touched by civilization yet … However, some tribes found in the inner regions of the Amazon rainforest have never contacted civilization. Perhaps there are also tribes hiding deeper in the jungle.

This is undoubtedly one of the most interesting facts about South America.

More than 300 languages are spoken on the continent.

English, Spanish and Portuguese are the most widely spoken languages, but there are still indigenous languages spoken by a large number of people, such as Quechua (8.9 million speakers), Guarani (4.9 million speakers). and aymara (2.8 million speakers).

In addition, linguists estimate that more than 300 languages are spoken on the continent every day.

La Paz is the highest capital in the world.
Bolivia’s capital lies at 3,640 meters (11,942 feet), making it one of the tallest cities and capitals in the world. Many visitors flying into La Paz take several days to adapt to its high altitude.

South America has the driest place on earth

The Atacama Desert is considered the driest place on the planet, with parts of it never raining since it was explored, and places with occasional rainfall for over 40 years.

World Heritage Site Mexican Cuisine

We all know and love tacos, but Mexican cuisine goes far beyond this delectable street stall specialty. Mexican cuisine is not only a pleasure, but also received the title of Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2010. If you want to discover the flavors of Mexico, there is no better way to do so than by taking a food tour.

Features of the mentality of Hispanics

They can be compared to children. Carefree, loving to talk, often change phone models. One of the traits is to avoid conflict at all costs. You can even lie.

The person sitting next to you on the bus can play music loudly, and the driver can also do so through the speakers in disco mode.

Or when they tell you that it takes 4 hours to get out and it’s all 10, for them a couple of hours back and forth doesn’t matter.

Here we must show patience and take into account these national characteristics.

Chile has more than 1,300 volcanoes and 500 active ones, in addition, almost 80% of the country is covered with mountains.

When the Spanish colonialists reached Peruvian territory, they found more than 10 million Indians. Viruses, bacteria and diseases brought by the Spanish, together with the slavery to which they subjected the indigenous peoples of South America, reduced the indigenous population to 600,000 in 100 years.

Paraguayan smuggling

Hundreds of buses arrive from Brazil and Argentina on weekends, but these are not tourists. These people are buying goods imported from Asia at a lower price. We call this speculation.

In addition, the streets of Ciudad del Este are full of people, musicians playing harps, street food stalls, but when noon falls, the streets die out. Everyone sits down for food, TV shows and rest. Nap.

Ecuadorian Vilcabamba is a paradise of longevity.

In 1973, Alexander Leaf and Harold Elric of the University of California visited the city and recorded a large number of centenarians. The number of people who reported being over 100 years old was the largest in the area. They even found a man who claimed to be 140 years old. A later census of 819 residents of Loja (the region where Vilcabamba is located) found 9 people over 100 years old: one was 123, and the other was 142.

On average, there are 1100 centenarians for every 100,000 people. In the US, for example, 3 per 100,000 people.

Day of the Dead in Mexico

The world famous Dia de los Muertos is a celebration of the dead. This is part of the pre-Hispanic belief in the return of the dead in the early days of November, for them altars with sweets and toys are prepared, and flower skulls are worn, which have already become a symbol of the country.

The longest holidays in Chile

Chileans celebrate national holidays for almost a month, or as the people call it “eighteen”, because. September 18 is Chilean Independence Day, the most important holiday for Chileans. Preparation begins on September 10 and is celebrated until September 19, when another public holiday is celebrated – the Day of the Glory of the Chilean Army. At this time, all educational institutions and businesses are closed, people take leave. Time is coming. all the parties, food, music, national dances, reenactments, parades. Everyone is dancing kueku, drinking chichu en kacho and eating empanadas .

Valdivia week in Chile

The creation of the city of Valdivia was the occasion for one of the largest holidays in the country, which also marks the end of summer. Every year, on February 9, more than 40 originally decorated boats pass along the Kalle Kalle river, competing for the prize of the most beautiful. Visitors can not only appreciate the show, but also enjoy the food and typical tunes, interrupted only by the fireworks.

Chile was rated by Lonely Planet as the best travel destination in 2018. “Isolated from the rest of South America (and, in fact, the world) by the high Andes to the east, the vast Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atacama Desert to the north, and the impassable wilderness of Patagonia to the south,” the guide describes.

Chile is one of the least corrupt countries in Latin America . It ranks second in the region after Uruguay, according to the latest survey by Transparency International. In the world, the country ranks 26th out of 180 countries.

Things only a Chilean might like

Sensitive to odors.

For Chileans, cleanliness is important. They bathe every day, without exception. They are all sensitive to aromas, especially on the bus or subway. Nobody wants to be a “stinky pig” or “French” (apparently, an overly fragrant aroma, interspersed with a natural smell) …

La cueca dance fans

Chile’s national dance, in which a man depicts a rooster tending a female hen, has now regained its former popularity, especially among young people.

Chilean drinks

Various seemingly incongruous combinations boggle the imagination. Wine with ice cream, wine with fruit, lemon, various mulled wines. As a wine-making country, Chileans have many characteristics and variations of this drink.

Taking care of homeless animals

While someone buys purebred animals, in Chile, they usually take puppies and kittens from the shelter. They also take care of the street animals. Leave them food, put blankets for them to sleep. In Chile, special treatment of animals. Their exploitation and circuses are prohibited. with animals .

The use of animal names in speech to express action or quality

For non-Chileans, this feature will seem strange and completely incomprehensible in speech. For example, to express “it was funny,” the Chilean will say “the pig passed by.” In the literal translation, the verb is replaced by the name of the animal. replacing the verb or adjective with the name of the animal. It turns out its own slang dictionary. For example, “this man is handsome” – “this man is a horse.”

Every country is rich in traditions and customs. Some seem strange, some surprise, and some admire, but they never cease to be interesting, reflecting the culture of an entire nation.