I looked at a recent picture publication on Santiago the capital and saw what looked like a European capital rich with glass-clad skyscrapers and there had a sense of how advanced the capital appeared. Older Spanish style classical plastered front buildings have survived but younger Chileans like the tall glass buildings, I was told. I was told that people living in the area around the capital are relatively well off compared to the lot of many other South and Central American capitals. I suppose much had to do with free trade that has brought new wealth to the country and the fact that today China is a large buyer of Chilean copper, its largest export.

But I was sorry to hear of the affairs that led up to Allende wanting to promise change at the expense of the well to do. This was not what we had heard in the western media when we were exposed to the bombing of his presidential palace in the early seventies. We were led to believe that Pinochet was the only villain and that Allende meant well for the entire population. Not so to true historical accounts that linking a fall of the Chilean economy because of inept governing due to Allende. This has meant a period of 19years of suffering for the Chilean population.

Have of the population lives in and around the capital. There are many that have access to the education system that way but there are a good percentage of the people who do not have access to higher learning because they live in the countryside. Still they are offered free medical help. The country is home to one of the most modern telescopes situated on a desert hill. Let us hope that the future of this country will be brighter and that it will continue to set an example for other South American nations to follow.

Almost all fancy restaurants in Spain require reservations. Since most of the restaurants outside the tourist area have staff that speak little or no English, a visitor may want to know some Spanish related foods. Many visitors look around and see what other people are eating. When they see something that looks good they can point to it, and the waiter or waitress can get them that.

Since most of the menus are in Spanish, if a visitor gets something that looks strange, and is not what they were looking for, they will most likely try it. Then, they can try new foods. Most visitors try to learn the basic Spanish words for the food groups. They will learn that ensaladas means salad, sopas means soup, pescados means fish, mariscos means seafood, and so on.

That way, when visitors see items under a section called pescados they will know it has something to do with fish. Most visitors take advantage of Spain being so close to water. They will most likely buy squid, fish and shellfish dishes.

Many people try squid because it is hard to find in the United States of America. Visitors recommend the sangria, marmitako, and croquetas. These are all great Spanish dishes. Some of the foods that are not seafood can be cooked on an open fire. Many people go to Spain just to have their meals cooked on an open fire. Spanish food is very important to their culture.

Tapas, is how the Spanish call their wide variety of appetizers. Small snacks the Spaniards love and that can be eaten at any time of the day.

At times people have a wrong concept of tapas and think that they are only eaten at night. That is actually not right and the Spanish enjoy this traditional way to serve food during the whole day. In Madrid for example, Spain's capital, but also in Barcelona, Marbella or Sevilla and basically everywhere in Spain's bars and restaurants, you will have the chance to try this delicious food morsels. In your next trip to Spain, enjoying the sunlight the country has to offer, you will for sure try them accompanying a delicious glass of Rioja wine.

Where Do Tapas Come From?

The tapas tradition was born in Andalusia. Especially in this region of the Iberic Peninsula, the cuisine meshes together all the flavours of the Moorish influence with the Spanish traditions. It is said that the tapas are derived from the Muslims. If you have ever visited Morocco for example, you will have noticed that in the restaurants usually you will be first served a small “trial portion” to start your lunch. In Spain, the first tapas were simple pieces of bread. You will smile hearing that they were put on top of your glass of wine in order to prevent flies to fall into your precious grape juice. That's how it started. Clever people!

Tapas are usually served as a starter, but many Spaniards enjoy them during the whole day and sometimes their lunch or dinner will consist of them. The act of having tapas is called “tapeo”. A group of friends or a family will go out together and while conversing they will order their favourite tapas. Usually different tapas bars do have a specialty and will be known for it.

Examples Of Tapas, And Preparing Your Own

Creating tapas there are no limits to your fantasy. Some bars will offer more than 30 different types of this delicious food snack. If you ever go to Spain or to your local Spanish bar you will be able to purchase single portions but usually half and full serves of the tapas of your choice. They are served both hot and cold. Example of tapas dishes are: cured ham (jamón serrano), ham from Andalusian pigs fed on acorns (jamón iberico), olives, calamares, prawns, snails, tortilla, different cheeses (especially queso manchego), fresh anchovies, meatballs, marinated meats and salads.

Why not enjoying also tapas at home? There are various cookbooks teaching you how to best prepare them. Try them with your loved ones; you will be enjoying part of the famed Mediterranean lifestyle. Enjoy!

For the last week I have been on a bus tour through Mexico City. I am going to give you some mind blowing facts about Mexico City.

In Mexico City's history there is a place called La Plaza de la Tres Cultuas ( the plaza of 3 cultures). In the plaza there is a Spanish Colonial church and school. Also there is an Aztec ruins of an old market and a place where public ceremonies were held in the middle of the plaza. Then there are modern offices and apartments located all around the plaza. Also Mexico City used to be the Aztecs capitol Tenochtitlan until Cotez (a Spanish conquistador) conqured it and brought measles which completely killed off the Aztecs.

In Mexico City the culture is all very different. The most common spoken language is Spanish, but there is all sorts of Indian languages spoken too. They also think that the Virgin Mary is there sworn protector. They listen to all sorts of music and a wide verity of religions are being used.

Mexico City has poor neighborhoods, middle class neighborhoods, and very rich neighborhoods. One fourth of all the billionaires in the world are living here. In the poor neighborhoods the people work all day and still get paid minimum wage, they live on the outskirts of town in little cardboards houses in communities called shanty towns. In the middle class the people have all the items they need to live a good life. In the rich neighborhoods the people have all the things that you could ever imagine. In Mexico City it costs 1,000 dollars just to get a phone installed.

In Mexico City's environment it is very dreadful. Fresh water is extremely scarce, so it must be imported from other countries because all the lakes are salt water and polluted. 10,000,000 people use 16,000 gallons of water per minute. Eight million people have no running water. Forty-five % of all the cars in the world are in Mexico City. Vehicles and factories make and spread 51,000 tons of sulfur dioxide. Breathing the air in Mexico City is worse than smoking two packs of cigarettes a day because of all the terrible pollution that goes on from the lakes, rivers, and most of all factories and cars.

Mexico City is a massive city and the pollution will eat you up and make you sick. That is all you should need to know and more about Mexico city to travel there. If you ever have and problems with what tourists call Montezuma's revenge. It is when you are in Mexico and you get diarrhea. Also stay clear of the tap water it is very bad for you because it isn't imported .Later days Hoorhay.

Your Friend,

MySt3rY MaN