I was born in Santiago, Chile and lived there for the first eight months of my life. My family then proceeded to Argentina where I spent the next four years before coming to Canada on August of 1978. Therefore it can be said that I was practically raised in Canada. I, since then, have returned to Chile on three occasions. Going there for more than five months at a time I've noticed many differences between living in Canada and the lifestyle in Chile. The four areas where the differences lay are in the traditions, vacation, and hobbies.

Since Canada is considered to be a melting pot with many ethnic backgrounds, it is very difficult to show the Canadian folk dance, it's traditional foods or other cultural aspects. This country has opened its doors to immigrants from all over the world, which has made it difficult to illustrate each cultural aspect. As well in Chile there are a variety of different ethnic backgrounds but it is not what makes up the country. Chile's culture contains beautiful folklore music to accompany the national dance "La Cueca". This dance which is mainly performed for Independence Day is also accompanied by empanadas (ground beef w/onions wrapped in dough) and an alcoholic beverage called "Chicha".

Religion amongst Canadians are as follows Roman Catholic=45%, United Church=12%, Anglican=8%, and other=35%1. These numbers over the years have dropped for the Roman Catholic religion due to the mass number of immigrants in Canada. Like Canada, there is the Roman Catholic religion in Chile that is more practiced but because of the lack of immigrants, the numbers increase. The statistics for the religions in Chile; Roman Catholic=89%, Protestant=11%, and a very small amount are Muslim and Jewish2. The popularity of the Roman Catholic belief is evident throughout the streets. This is so because of the multiple statues of Christ and other saints.

All countries have natural resources of which they sell as exports to other countries. Canada has many that are provided by the large country. We currently export newsprint, wood products, crude petroleum, machinery, natural gas, metals, and telecommunications1. Chile's exports have some areas in which they are similar to Canada. This similarity is in the wood products, and metals. The differences lay in that Chile also exports copper, and fish2.

Hockey in Canada is the largest watched sports as football and all other sports trail behind, depending on the season. This large melting pot brings forth-new ideas and events that change Canada without purposely doing so. Although soccer here in Canada is becoming more popular, I hardly believe that it will take on the fanatical enthusiasm that exists in other countries such as in Chile. Here in Canada a hockey game is enjoyed sitting down with some friends with the occasional rowdy behavior. In Chile going to watch a soccer game at the stadium consists of constant ongoing team chants, flares, toilet paper, drums, horns, and other materials that may cause havoc. This is the sport much watched in Chile somewhat like Hockey in Canada.

I've been fortunate enough to have a background that provides me with different values as well as having come to Canada to learn more. Because of the fact that my entire life has been here, I can honesty say that if given the opportunity, I would accept living in Chile. This is so because the experience would be different in all aspects but never forgetting where my life and ideas were shaped.

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