Knowledge and Education as a Freedom, a Right and a Means of Impowerment

A  couple of months ago I gave a presentation  to a group of preservice Special Education Teachers at the Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación (UMCE) on inclusion and the importance of sharing information or knowledge transference especially in relation to developing knowledgeable teams comprised of school personnel, family, and community members to assist in the development, education and transition of youth with disabilities into Chilean society and community. It was presented from my perspective as a well informed parent.

  Dialogue With Donna

A comment and "aha moment" was shared later by a participant who had not previously realized how powerful information and knowledge could be. Knowledge and information was for the possessor only, not something to be distributed or shared. What truly amazed this participant was the powerful means in which not only could others assist her better when fully informed, but also how knowledge transfer could ignite change and initiate social improvements. 


That lead me to think about how valuable our freedoms in America are, especially our First Amendment Rights,  and how difficult it is to reinstate them in a country after generations of political repression under a dictatorship. "Genetic memory" is strong and fear of moving outside the lines for many appear to remain here in Chile. Yes the bird cage door is now open with the new and democratically elected administration, but many are still not aware they are free to fly. 


During the pre mid-term elections the NY Times published an article (October 23, 2010): Name That Freedom. The article reports of political candidates and politicians and Americans in general apparently know little about what the First Amendment guarantees. 

The First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University has looked at Americans’ familiarity with its eponymous portion of the Bill of Rights, and the results would make Thomas Jefferson weep. While 61 percent of those surveyed this year knew that the First Amendment protects freedom of speech, just 23 percent volunteered that it also supports freedom of religion, and 18 percent cited freedom of the press. Freedom of association? Fourteen percent. Only 6 percent of those polled could cite the right to petition the government for grievances, the fifth major freedom guaranteed under the First Amendment.

Ours is an information-based nation powered by ideas and argument, shared knowledge well managed and transferred to others to create new and innovative concepts. Of course now with the Wikileaks that concept may be taking on a more attenuated approach with some questioning where freedom of speech and press should end and the need for censorship and tighter controls on information distribution begins.

Visiting London and Paris & Taking Tea at Club de La Union in Santiago

I joined members of the International Association of Chile for tea on Tuesday (November 23, 2010) at the Club de la Union in Santiago.  On our way to the club we visited two historic streets in the center of Santiago, Londres and Paris enjoying the architecture and pausing to reflect on the horrendous secrets history held for so long.

Photos from that excursion may be seen here and information about the sites visited follow:



Londres 38 is now a "house of memory" recalling the early days of August Pinochet. Bricks along the cobble stone entrance list the names of the 96 dispedidos- disappeared - students who entered the the house of torture.  Two Chilean women living in the United States were so moved by the plight of people who were detained and disappeared during the 1973-1990 dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet that they overcame the problems of distance, and wrote a book reconstructing the personal lives of eight victims through the accounts given by their closest relatives. 

"Whenever we worked on the book, we wept," Carolina Moroder told IPS. She and her mother, Sonia Martin, co-authored the book "Londres 38, Londres 2000. Biografías/Testimonios de la guerra sucia del Cono Sur/Chile 1973-2000" (Londres 38, London 2000: Biographies/Testimonies of the Dirty War in the Southern Cone/Chile 1973-2000), published by the Centre for Social Studies (CESOC). http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=48158

(From the Rettig Report)
The DINA operated this torture and detention center in downtown Santiago from late 1973 to the end of September 1974. Londres 38 had been the municipal headquarters of the Socialist Party before being expropriated by the military government.
http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=48158

The physical mistreatment practiced here was characteristic of the DINA’s early days. Interrogations were immediate upon arrival and torture was applied without limits; abusive treatment was constant; there were large numbers of detainees and the DINA agents appeared to be hurried and careless of possible excesses or errors. At this time, the security forces had not yet gathered a satisfactory amount of information on the clandestine political activities they wanted to suppress. Repression would later become more sophisticated and the DINA would have more resources to carry it out.

Up to 70 prisoners would be held blindfolded in the living room of the center, an old house. From that room, detainees were taken to other dependencies for interrogation and torture or to assist in detentions.

The most common form of torture in Londres 38 was electrical shocks or the "grill." Another method which was most typical of this center was the use of close family members to pressure prisoners. Loved ones would be arrested, tortured or raped in front of the prisoner. This method was used in the disorderly early days of the DINA, when not only the suspect was arrested but often his family members and others associated with him.

We then joined our friends from the IAC at the Club de la Union for tea. The Club de la Union is an exclusive social center in Santiago. Its design was commissioned to the architect Cruz Montt in 1917 and 1925. The club's name reflects its purpose of uniting differing political groups in one meeting area to share their interests and have friendly conversations or debates. With the Independence of Chile, and  there was a lack of opportunities for social meetings which created a distance between the gobiernistas and opponents. On July 8,  1864 the Club of the Union was created to provide a space for the tolerance and the understanding of the men of different political beliefs. But while the differing parties gathered in the uniting center meeting hall, each had separate entrances to the club so as not to cause too much conflict.

Today Club de la Union is a National Monument. Inside it is splendidly decorated, showing diverse and valuable works of art by national painters such as Pedro Lira, Alberto Valenzuela Llanos, Pedro Subercaseaux and Alvaro Casanova. During the week it is specifically a private club that only recently allowed membership to women (10 to date). All presidents (including past president Michelle Bachelet) are offered memberships.

New American Businesses and Long Lasting International Business /Market Plans

Great news for homesick Americans seeking more fast food and 24 hour home-style breakfast fare! Denny's and Quiznos are looking to enter the market in Chile. Quiznos will be partnering with QSR International, a quick-service holding company with more than 11 years experience in the quick-service restaurant industry. Denny's newly appointed CEO, Robert Rodriguez as of September 13, 2010 previously served as President of Dunkin' Donuts, another favorite from home here in Chile.

Hopefully these two new entries into Chile will have better success than the chain stores  J.C. Penny's and Home Depot. An interesting research paper explains why these beloved chains back home failed to have similar success here in Chile  Constanza C. BianchiT, Enrique Ostale1(2006) Lessons learned from unsuccessful internationalization attempts: Examples of multinational retailers in Chile. Journal of Business Research 59 (2006) 140 – 147. (PDF: http://tinyurl.com/2786ohj). 

Four cases of unsuccessful retail internationalization to the Chilean market by Home Depot, Royal Ahold, Carrefour, and J.C. Penney, were examined. Based on expert and consumer interviews, findings show that these retail firms defied local institutional pressures from consumers, suppliers, competitors, retail executives, and the business community. Management executives of these firms did not embed themselves in the broader social network. It was also apparent the competition had anticipated and responded to their sources of competitive advantage. Finally, their scale was not big enough to command any advantages in the supply chain network.

Looking for more information about your favorite Chain Stores from the USA? Check out this website: 

International Restaurant Chains Index

http://www.globalfoodservice.com/events/restaurant.html

Doing business in Chile: Market Research Resources

Economic Development in Central America. Vol. I: Growth and Internationalization
Felipe Larraín (editor). John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, 2001.
For decades, Central America has faced market dependency, natural disasters, and political systems characterized by protectionist policies and low levels of participation-situations that have had a tremendous impact on its economic development. This two-volume set is a comprehensive assessment of Central America's position in the world economy and serves as a handbook for the important economic reforms it must undertake to become viable competitors in the international economy.

U.N. and Universities Alignment a Solutions to Global Problems Causing World Suffering - But Does It Include People with Disabilities?

An exciting announcement has come from the United Nations regarding the development of a new global initiative aligning institutions of higher education (otherwise known as colleges and universities) to the work that the U.N. is doing to accomplish its  Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), eight goals to be achieved by 2015 that respond to the world's main development challenges. The U.N. Secretary has demanded from the participating  universities their dynamism, energy and  commitment -- including their  commitment to educational opportunity for all people regardless of gender, race, religion or ethnicity. Noticeably missing in this demand is an alignment to the Convention on Human Rights for People with Disabilities. It becomes more critical as more universities in the United States of American and other nations around the globe begin to add postsecondary education programs and learning opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities as well.

  

The United Nations has announced the formation of a global initiative that aligns the academic world in actively supporting the the organization’s ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, literacy, sustainability and conflict resolution. Each institute of higher education (IHE) will actively demonstrate annually its support of at minimum one of the ten principals. The project, called the United Nations Academic Impact, will hold its first conference on Dec. 15 in Asturias, Spain. The initiative will include more than 500 institutions from more than 90 countries. A full list of members is available in this PDF.

The announcement, made by The U.N. secretary general, Ban Ki-moon  who spoke at the announcement of the initiative Nov. 18 at the U.N. headquarters in New York, said:

This opens up vast new possibilities.  By sharing ideas, across borders and disciplines, we can find solutions to the interconnected problems that cause so much suffering...We are not asking for your intellectual property.  But we are demanding your dynamism, your energy and your commitment.  Each of you has the power to inspire scores of students.  Each of you has the dedication to make a difference.

(Listen to the full announcement)

    
The first UNAI conference is set to be held at the Centro Niemeyer in Asturias, Spain, on 15 December.
Named after Oscar Niemeyer, the only surviving member of the team of architects that designed the UN Headquarters complex 63 years ago, the centre opens its doors on the Brazilian architect’s 103rd birthday to host the UNAI conference.

   ################

What is the Academic Impact Program?


Academic Impact is a program of the Outreach Division of the Department of Public Information.  It is open to all institutions of higher education granting degrees or their equivalent, as well as bodies whose substantive responsibilities relate to the conduct of research.  Its essential frame of reference is:


i) To bring into association with the United Nations, and with each other, institutions of higher learning throughout the world.


ii) To provide a mechanism for such institutions to commit themselves to the fundamental precepts driving the United Nations mandate, in particular the realization of the universally determined Millennium Development Goals


iii) To serve as a viable point of contact for ideas and proposals relevant to the United Nations mandate.


iv) To promote the direct engagement of institutions of higher education in programs, projects and initiatives relevant to this mandate.


Academic Impact is informed by a commitment to support and advance ten basic principles:


1. A commitment to the principles inherent in the United Nations Charter as values that education seeks to promote and help fulfil;


2. A commitment to human rights, among them freedom of inquiry, opinion, and speech;


3. A commitment to educational opportunity for all people regardless of gender, race, religion or ethnicity;


4. A commitment to the opportunity for every interested individual to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for the pursuit of higher education;


5. A commitment to building capacity in higher education systems across the world;


6. A commitment to encouraging global citizenship through education;


7. A commitment to advancing peace and conflict resolution through education;


8. A commitment to addressing issues of poverty through education;


9. A commitment to promoting sustainability through education;


10. A commitment to promoting inter-cultural dialogue and understanding, and the “unlearning” of intolerance, through education.

The yearly activities each IHE would be expected to undertake include:

1.  Actively address at least one of the ten basic principles of Academic Impact listed above. Examples of this could include research projects and papers, the hosting of a conference, the financing of participation of students in a specific United Nations activity in the field, or a specific action or activity on campus. Any activity which is sponsored or paid for by a United Nations entity in the context of its own work program shall be excluded from consideration.
   
2. Place prominently upon its websites, or in periodic printed publications, details of such activity, highlighting its relationship to Academic Impact.

Interested Chief Executive Officers of  IHEs wishing to participate may fill out an online form.  All other expressions of support to the UN Academic Impact are welcome and should be channeled through the UN Academic Impact Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ImpactUN .

Read more:

Academic Impact Website- http://academicimpact.org/engpage.php

New initiative aims to forge closer links between UN and academia

USA- U.N. Wants Universities to Help Foster Development 

Convention on Human Rights for People with Disabilities  

College for People with Intellectual Disabilities:

Think College

National Institute for Intellectual Disability 

Insight: A Think College Brief on Policy, Research, & Practice

Insight No. 3, October, 2010 Employment Activities and Outcomes of College-Based Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities PDF | RTF
Insight No. 2, September, 2010 What’s The Point? A Reflection About the Purpose and Outcomes of College for Students with Intellectual Disabilities PDF | RTF
Insight No. 1, June 2009 The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008: An Overview PDF | MS Word

Warning: British Citizens Living Abroad Risk Losing Healthcare Rights : Expat news : Expat Info Desk

Warning: British Citizens Living Abroad Risk Losing Healthcare Rights : Expat news : Expat Info Desk

British expatriates living overseas have been warned that they may not be eligible for access to national health care upon their return to the UK.

At a recent meeting organized by international insurers, British expats were warned by chairman Carl Carter that they would not automatically be granted the right to make use of the national health service if they were to return to Britain. Speaking in UK newspaper The Telegraph he said:

“Many UK citizens who have moved overseas have wrongly believed that because they are a UK citizen or they have paid taxes for many years that they’ll have automatic access to the NHS if they need to come home. In many cases this has not been the case.

“Expats who have returned home from overseas either because of financial reasons, family, changes in work commitments or illness have come unstuck when they had previously bought old-style 'expat-only’ products. This is because they were only covered overseas as an expat, so they had no continuity of cover upon return to the UK.”

Read more at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/expathealth/8134598/Expat-health-care-returning-to-the-UK.html

http://www.expatinfodesk.com/news/2010/11/25/warning-british-citizens-living-abroad-risk-losing-healthcare-rights/

SOU Upholds Decision to Drop Eliza Schaaf, Woman with DS, from Ceramics Course

A disconcerting story is unfolding in Southern Oregon University. November 23, SOU upheld its decision to drop Eliza Schaaf,  a 20-year-old woman with Down syndrome from a university-level ceramics class. Schaaf had enrolled in "Introduction to Ceramics" course at Southern Oregon University as a non-credit student (under the university's "non-admitted status") this Fall.

But with only two sessions left in the semester Dean of Students Laura O'Bryan stated her decision would stand. According to the university, Schaaf required too much of the instructor's time at the expense of other students. However, students in the class state that was not the case. Even with students and community members lobbying the school the university refused to allow her to finish the course.

Schaaf and her parents agreed that she would audit the class, rather than take it for a grade. When a student audits a class, she or he is not required to complete the coursework. The work the student chooses to do is not graded, and no credit is earned for the class. As a non-admitted student, Eliza Schaaf would be able to earn credit for the ceramics class though not seek to be admitted into a degree program. Had she sought to be an admitted student at SOU in a degree program (e.g.,  fine arts), Schaaf  would have been expected to fill out an application, send in a high school transcripts and follow all other university program of study admission procedures in order to be admitted into the College of Arts and Sciences on a track toward a bachelor's degree. It was not Schaaf's intent to enroll in a degree program.

As a non-admitted student, Eliza Schaaf still would have been expected to complete all coursework, and all of her coursework would have been graded. In the end, if she passed, she would have earned credit for the class, which eventually, if she so desired, could have used toward a degree. Deb Evens, Schaaf's mother notes interestingly, it costs the same to audit a class as it does to enroll as a non-admitted student. 

The family paid more than $700 for her participation in the class, according to Schaaf's mother. SOU officials indicated they will refund that amount to the family.

More than 700 people have signed the online petition to reinstate Eliza:

Online petition to reinstate: http://elizasou.epetitions.net/

Learn about what the Higher Education Opportunity Act has to say regarding students with intellectual disabilities attending university courses/programs:

Insight No. 1, June 2009 The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008: An Overview PDF | MS Word

Learn about funding resources and Research/Development opportunities for universities to support students with intellectual disabilities:

FY2011 Think College Mini Grant Competition: http://tinyurl.com/23ppckc

Learn what other universities are doing to provide college courses and supports for people with intellectual disabilities: 

Think College: http://thinkcollege.net/

Also found on the Think College site:

Database of Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Searchable Literature Database

Searchable Training/Technical Assistance Materials Database
COMING SOON!
This database is a collection of useful resources for students, families and professionals who are interested in postsecondary education options for students with intellectual disabilities.  Once launched, audiences will be able to search by topic (such as Program Development and Implementation, Postsecondary Education Transition Planning, Career Development, College Course Access, Research, Policy, Evaluation, Funding, and others) and locate resources (such as tip sheets, document templates, websites and more).  All resources have been field tested and reviewed, many already being used successfully by students, families and professionals.  Users will see a description of the resource and suggestions on how to use it.

Read more about the Eliza Schaaf Story: 

www.elizaschaaf.com Today I learned the appalling story of Eliza Schaaf , a 20-year-old woman with Down Syndrome who enrolled in an "Introduction to Ceramics" course at Southern Oregon University as a...

The appalling exclusion of Eliza Schaaf

The appalling exclusion of Eliza Schaaf

SOU denies disabled woman's appeal | MailTribune.com 

Letter from SOU- on Google Docs (may need google account to access) 
http://tinyurl.com/33wd2b3

 
 Woman, parents challenge SOU withdrawal
She has Down syndrome and wants to finish ceramics class, but SOU says
accommodating her will be too disruptive
http://tinyurl.com/3yvedx5

 
 SOU dean reaffirms decision to drop art student with Down syndrome
http://tinyurl.com/32fgaqr

Eliza's blog, the student who was removed from the ceramics class 
http://www.elizaschaaf.com/p/who-is-eliza.html

‘I am Not a Disability.’ Eliza’s Story
http://blog.thearc.org/2010/11/19/i-am-not-a-disability-eliza-schaaf/

The appalling exclusion of Eliza Schaaf
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/rnorton/detail?entry_id=77698

Exclusion of student with DS from college class sparks concern
http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2010/11/26/sou-exclusion-eliza-schaaf-30368/

SOU students protest rejection of woman with Down syndrome
http://tinyurl.com/32wxdrm

From the School paper: Student protest interrupted by campus public safety 
http://siskiyou.sou.edu/

 
Student protest interrupted by campus public safety 
-and-
Students pull together for classmate
-and-
Schaaf temporarily back in studio

University Kicks Student With Down Syndrome Out Of Classroom; Other Students
Protest And Are Ignored
http://tinyurl.com/22spahf

SOU students protest rejection of woman with Down syndrome
http://tinyurl.com/298zj29

Messages on SOUs Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/sou.edu

Parents of disabled student challenge SOU decision
http://tinyurl.com/2bxpz56

Home for the Thanksgiving Holiday as an Expat in Santiago, Chile

 On the hunt for turkey here in Santiago is nothing like hunting in the hills back home in Virginia!

This year it's our "turn" to watch the Santiago office, which means our family will not be traveling back home to the states for holiday visits with family and sharing the traditions that make the holidays special for us.  Luckily my daughter brought canned pumpkin with her so we'll have good ol' pumpkin pie. However, we have not traveled much to the states this last year and so our cupboards are a bit thin of the special goodies that would bring our USA traditions home to Santiago.  That means this year I am on the hunt for holiday foods and decor that will help me bring "home" a little closer to us in Santiago.

The real challenge of course will be to locate fall/winter foods in the southern hemisphere now enjoying the onset of summer. Perhaps it will be time to alter our traditions to make the fit in our new home. Below are my finds so far. As I discover new finds I'll update this blog entry.

My finds for Thanksgiving:

Our first treasure hunt was this weekend looking for a whole turkey (fresh or frozen). Not an easy feat given turkeys do not come onto the market here in Santiago until the first of December in time for Christmas. After looking at Jumbo and Lider and only finding frozen turkey breasts I discovered four whole turkeys at Santa Isabel in their frozen meat case near Los Dominicos. Of course these are not the typical USA jumbo sized birds.  In fact they look more like super sized roasting hens. But that's OK given our ovens here are on the small size as well.

Here are a listing of other finds that I've discovered and collected. If you, my dear readers,  have located other treasures here in Santiago, Chile that will make the Holiday special please feel free to share them or add your comments on how you bring the holidays from home to your new country of residence.

• Sopraval -En su casa will deliver smoked whole turkeys.
  Order on line: http://www.asc.cl/asc2006/productos.asp?marca=3 
• Jumbo and Lider stores may bake/roast the raw whole turkey you buy from their store.  Inquire at the ready-to-eat hot food section.  You need to place an order days in advance. Some stores have a night shift that will bake the turkey so it is ready for a morning pick-up. Verify if there will be an extra charge (some have reported there is not). Reports are the Lider turkeys are good and you can ask that they give you the "jugo", cooking juices, as well for making gravy. Beware that the juices are extremely salty, so check before using them.
• Jumbo and Lidér stores had only frozen turkey breasts this weekend when I looked. Perhaps they will stock up this week.
• Given the small size of the turkeys and the super-size appetite of my family on Thanksgiving day I purchased extra turkey legs at La Vega Chica (the meat market/restaurant section of La Vega located in front of the large vegetable market). Also available are turkey necks and livers which I purchased to make stock and add to the giblet dressing.  The legs can be found in Carnes "Rancusi" located in pasillo 1 (aisle 1).

Caterers/Restaurants/Other locations that serve Turkey and Pie:

• Park Plaza Hotel caters cooked turkeys with stuffing and vegetables for Thanksgiving. Place your order early (no later than Tuesday prior to the holiday). 
• Santiago Community Church offers a Thanksgiving Dinner Pot Luck. Diners receive Turkey and Dessert, and are asked to bring a side dish and drink.
• California Cantina will serve a special Thanksgiving menu. Reservations required.
• De Tartas y Tortas located in Vitacura provide a wide variety of pies, including the traditional pumpkin pie or as they call it Tradicional Pie Norteamericano de Zapallo

Side Dishes and Fixing's:

Cranberry sauce:
Ocean Spray cranberry sauce is often located in Jumbo Alto las Condes in the fruit aisle.
The International Association of Chile sells dried cranberries and concentrated cranberry juice

Yams/Sweet Potatoes 
Sweet potatoes, or "camotes" are found in Recoletta's the central market called, La Vega, found across the river from the fish market. I noted two stalls that had camotes, the best located in the out back of the market towards left of center of La Vega. They also make for a wonderful sweet potato pie in lieu of pumpkin pie.

Crispy fried Onion topping for green bean casserole
My fix for this dilemma was to go to Burger King and place an order for their onion rings. I found two large portions covered a large casserole dish. To make them a bit more crispy I baked them for about 10 minutes.

An easier way may be to  use Fresh Toppings Cebollas Crujientes, used for topping salads. They are good and easy to find in the grocery stores.

Stuffing/Dressing
Extra turkey necks and livers used for the dressing or stock are found in La Vega Chica . The legs can be found in Carnes "Rancusi" located in pasillo 1 (aisle 1).

Pumpkin Pie
Here your only recourse in finding the sweet sugar pumpkins that we NorteAmercanos prefer for pumpkin pie may be bring in a can or dozen with you on your return from you next home visit (but be sure you declare it on the SAG form otherwise they may be tossed in the can at your exit from immigration!

The zapallo or large pumpkin here does not have the sweetness but can be used for those who wish to make a pie from scratch. You my need to play a bit with your recipe to find the sweetness you prefer.

Spices and flavorings

Molasses
Molasses as we know it is not available in Chile. You may substitute it using Chancaca, or raw, unrefined sugar with a high molasses content sold in most markets in the form of a semi-hard to very hard brick. There is also a liquid form of chancaca often found in markets as well. To prepare Chancaca for molasses you will need to break the sugar into bits, place it into a saucepan and add enough water to cover. Heat on low or better yet in a double boiler.  As the water begins to warm (and it will do so very quickly) mash the chunks with a fork.  Be very careful to keep the sugar from burning. A candy thermometer may be helpful here (if you have brought one from home- if not you may be able to find one at Steward Cash and Carry, otherwise cook until it sheets off a spoon. Remove from the heat and add cinnamon to taste and store.

Brown Sugar
Brown sugar can be substituted with chancaca but it is not as sweet and unfortunately does not form well as our moist brown sugar.

Allspice 
Allspice is often a challenge to locate, though Jumbo or Lidér may have it.  It may go by the name  Pimienta de Jamaica or Especias Surtidas Molida and is available at La Vega in Tostaduria. Susana Kuschnir Silva, Artesanos 801, Recoleta, Santiago.  The owner, Susana speaks English.

Allspice, also known as Jamaica Pepper, is the dried, unripe berry of a small tree. It is available ground or in seed form.  It is the fruit of the evergreen pimiento tree. The flavor resembles a blend of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. If desperate, you can also make a substitute for allspice by combining equal parts: Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and black pepper.

Karo Syrup
I am told Karo Syrup can be found at Patronato, Antonia Lopez de Bello 566 local 47. A substitute for the clear Karo Syrup could be honey or Golden Syrup which may be found at times at Coquinara Restaurant and Market.

Maple Syrup
I have not had any problem locating for real Canadian Maple Syrup in Jumbo.

Sage
Sage (salvia) and thyme (tomillio) are readily available in most any grocery store. You may even be lucky to find it fresh or in pots ready for a window garden.

To learn translations for other foods and spices click here


And what about Football (not to be confused with soccer)??

Actually our family has never really been big fanatics about football of either sort. We watch because it's tradition and are usually to full to do much else. Some expats have set up technological solutions to this dilemma by using Slingbox as a solution to bring USA television to Santiago or other parts of the world. The Cable stations do provide ESPN stations for football and some sports bars or restaurants that cater to Americans such as California Cantina offer USA games as well.

Do you have any other great finds for the holidays or know of when/where those games will be shown? If so please post them here as well.