Traditional craftsmanship
Don't leave Chile without picking up a handcrafted souvenir: they're often storytellers, reflecting the country's cultural heritage. And what could be better than supporting the local economy? Beware of "Made In China" manufactured goods, and go for small village markets and artisan boutiques.
Traditional clothing. From bonnets knitted from Chiloé sheep's wool to alpaca ponchos from the Deep South, not forgetting cowhide belts, there's no doubt that you'll look great in traditional clothing! Looking for unfailing elegance? Vicuña wool is the most luxurious of all. Some Chileans call it Andean gold, and the Incas even called it the wool of the gods... and today it's the privilege of some of the world's most prestigious fashion houses. If you're wondering about the ethical side of the practice, the vicuña is a protected species, and once shorn, the animals are released back into the wild. Ponchos and chamantos are the perfect way to face the cold, combining folklore and fashion. They come in all colors, from the kitschiest to the most refined, and the patterns vary as much as the cuts and materials. You'll also be tempted by embroidered scarves, multicolored ethnic shoes, sheep's wool slippers and soft Andean sweaters.
For the less fashion-conscious, handicrafts also include leather wallets and bags, wood carvings and ceramics. Ceramics are particularly popular in the Atacama region, where the art of working with clay is still practiced today. But each region has its own technique and style, and here ceramics have been practiced for over 1,000 years! More recently, Talagante's small, colorful earthenware folk figurines have made this small village on the outskirts of Santiago famous.
Mapuche craftsman
For a unique and authentic handcrafted object, you will have to take a closer look at the Mapuche handcraft, essentially present in the Temuco region in Araucania. Decoration enthusiasts and other collectors of travel objects will truly fall in love with their creations, the result of countless techniques passed down orally through several generations. They work with wood, leather, wool and ceramics. They excel in the manufacture of pottery (plates, jugs, pots...), clothing and decorative objects of all kinds. But the Mapuches are above all the masters of goldsmithing: they work with gold, silver or copper. At the time of the Spanish Conquest, their talent was used by the Conquistadors to make weapons and coins. Today, they mainly make magnificent jewellery, imposing necklaces and earrings with geometric shapes. The xarikü, a fine and elegant piece of jewellery of great value, is worn on the forearm and is appreciated for its rather discreet design, but if you want something more "flashy", opt for the trapelacucha, a magnificent silver necklace, a sort of saltire, decorated with plates, links and a cross pendant. Most of them feature a two-headed eagle. If you are in a satirical mood, you will surely be seduced by the famous "Indio picaro" (the clever Indian), a wood carving common in Mapuche territory. This figurine represents a Mapuche man who, when lifted, reveals a male attribute that is, to say the least, considerable. The less joking and more refined spirits will turn to the sublime telares, these ancestral weavings made from fabric, wool and wood that are often found as wall decorations: real little works of art!
Chilean flavours
We have to admit it: Chilean gastronomy is not the most famous, but it is still worth highlighting some interesting dishes. So, why not keep some aside and bring back a few products in your suitcases to continue the culinary adventure once back home? Although it is not for everyone, mate has won over a lot of travelers who trade their tea for a calabash and a bombilla (metal mate straw). You will find mate absolutely everywhere, even in supermarkets: it is no less good than elsewhere and just as tasty. If you like more noble products like wine, then you will not escape the great Chilean wines: from Atacama to the southern region through the Central Valley you will find something to delight your taste buds. Different red and white grape varieties make up the Chilean vineyards. For the white wines, you will choose the Chardonnay, the Sauvignon Blanc and the Viognier. For red wines, choose Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Carménère. The latter is the emblematic grape variety of the country: in recent years, this Bordeaux grape variety, decimated in France by phylloxera, has taken its place in the great Chilean wines. Colourful, round and powerful, Carménère favours black fruits and, depending on the method of vinification, presents peppery, chocolate or spicy notes. In addition to being delicious, the wine is not excessively expensive and you can complete your collection with a good bottle of Pisco. As for sweet treats, don't forget to bring back some manjar. This culinary speciality, a kind of milk jam, is not likely to gather dust in the cupboard and goes equally well with pancakes and toast. Finally, do you know Merkén? This speciality made from chilli, coriander and salt is a must in your kitchen. Easy to transport, the spice is often sold in a pack with other local specialities such as mapuche pepper.
On the road...
Stretching over 4,000 km, Chile is a dream for long-distance travellers and other budding explorers. The great lovers of road trips and other backpackers will be able to take hold of objects that are less voluminous, but just as significant: the road maps are real testimonies of the routes taken. Available at petrol stations, supermarkets and hiking equipment shops, they allow you to see the extent of the kilometres travelled, the country's absolutely crazy terrain and to remember every single stage of your stay. Once you get home, you can frame it or keep it in a travel book. From Arica to Puerto Natales, passing by Valparaíso and Pucón, you can find maps of all styles and at different scales: some exist by region (Atacama, Aysén, Los Lagos, Magallanes...), others only represent the whole of Chile, others still give a global view of Patagonia... it's up to you to choose the one that will reflect your journey the most. In Santiago, and more precisely in the small cobbled streets of the Lastarria district (José Victorino passage), street vendors and other itinerant businesses offer the oldest versions of the geographical maps of South America, Chile and Patagonia. Collector's maps to take home for a vintage souvenir, combining both history and geography!
