Trying New Foods

Empanadas from Mensajería (restaurant)

One concern of mine going to Santiago was trying new dishes. I was not sure if I would enjoy all of the options. My first lunch in Chile was at a restaurant in front of the hotel and recommended by our amazing tour guide, Sergio. He suggested that we order the “Vienesas Italianas”, which are hot dogs with tomatoes, avocados, and mayonnaise. I am not normally a fan of tomatoes, but I made an exception so I could try popular Chilean dishes. I was pleasantly surprised by the mix of flavors.

Dinner that night was at a restaurant across the street that had a wide array of options. After pondering on what to get, we all decided to get empanadas of different types. Each was spectacular and filling. It’s been great to choose local food that isn’t seen in the United States. Even today, we went to get ice cream after our lunch and I ordered a Dulce de Leche flavored ice cream. Later, I ordered a Dulce de Leche latte to gain more caffeine. It’s been great exploring different foods, even from the more mundane items. While it may seem scary to try new foods at first, it’s always a rewarding experience after. And if it isn’t, then it’s a good story.