[Gumby]

I went to Chile in 1983, courtesy of the USN. I thought it was a very beautiful country and the people were very nice. I got to see Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and Concepcion, and also to ski in the mountains. I noticed that many people speak a variety of languages, including French and German, as well as English and Spanish, which is a result of the fact that people from all over Europe moved there. (I recall that their national heroes were Bernardo O'Higgins and somebody Von Schroeder, which seemed odd at first). It seemed to me then that Chile was a lot more "middle class" than other countries in South America, like Peru, where there are a few very wealthy people and a multitude of poor ones. I felt very comfortable there and would like to go back some day.