Welcome back to our “Meet the Lokafyer” section! It has been a while, but with an expanding network of Lokafyers, there’s always someone new to meet, a new city to discover and a new perspective to learn from. Something that we’ve learned while working at Lokafy is that every city in the world can be thought of as its own universe. No two cities are the same, and the people that make them come alive are the essence that makes each city a unique and complex environment.
As you’ve seen previously when we’ve talked to our Lokafyers, they are wanderers of hidden corners and streets, they have seen their lives intertwined with the constant becoming of cities, and their capacity to never lose a mesmerized sight is what makes the Lokafy experience unique. Today, our collaborator Catalina Sánchez will walk us through her conversation with Alejandra, a Lokafyer from Santiago de Chile. We’ll have the opportunity to see the beauty of the city through the eyes of Alejandra Gongora Astete, who has joined travelers from the most diverse nationalities in wandering through the streets of this centenary Latin American capital. Join us in taking a glance in the journey of Alejandra as a Lokafyer.
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
My name is Alejandra, I was born and raised in Santiago de Chile, I'm 40 years old, I'm married and I live with my husband and my two dogs in downtown Santiago, Santiago, Chile. I'm an English teacher as my main career but I work independently so I only have online classes in the afternoon.
How long have you been living in your city and what do you love about it?
I have been living in my city my whole life (born and raised). The thing I like the most is the architecture of certain areas, mostly downtown. The weather is super fine and not humid at all. People are nice, food is amazing, there are lots of green areas to walk my dogs. There are a lot of things to do here in the capital city because we have everything: art, historical buildings, parks, amazing local gastronomy.
How did you discover Lokafy and what made you want to become a Lokafyer?
I discovered Lokafy during the pandemic, I was looking for more job opportunities and mostly because I was bored being in lockdown at home. I found that it was not necessarily exclusive to have studied tourism to do what we do so I said ‘why not?’ I love meeting people from all over the world, I love walking, I love talking in English, this is the perfect job for me, and I could complement it with my classes also.
What are some of the most memorable experiences you've had with travelers through Lokafy?
People have been extremely nice to me, sometimes too much… mostly North Americans, since I've been in their country a lot of times we have a special connection. I can have a drink and relax with a nice conversation with them at a local bar, and learn about their background, sharing a bit about myself as well.
What are some of the tips or advice that you would give to someone who wants to travel like a local?
Santiago is a very nice city but there are some parts that are a bit dangerous so you have to avoid taking certain risks. You must try pisco sour and wine, and all the variety of fruits and vegetables that we have because they are amazing and surprisingly cheap.
When you’re not working for Lokafy, what do you like to do for fun?
Apart from working as an English teacher I love music, so my hobby is to go to local gigs and concerts. My husband plays the guitar in three bands so I always have some gigs to see. I play a little guitar myself too. I have an electric one made by a local luthier here in Santiago and I love it. It's pink.
Any final comments for travelers visiting your city?
Come and see how beautiful Chile is, we have lots of things to offer. None of my tourists have had any regrets so far. When you are outside Santiago in nature there's something magical about it too.
Wow, in less than a thousand words, Catalina and Alejandra were able to show us the day-to-day life of Santiago de Chile, and its little details that make it special for locals and that make visitors fall in love. Something that stands out from this conversation, is that the richness of experiences of our Lokafyers, from their professions, to their backgrounds, hobbies, etc., will always be reflected in the way they present and explore the city. In our opinion, Lokafy is unique because of the authenticity with which our Lokafyers introduce their beloved cities, so we invite you to seize the opportunity and have a different adventure, from a completely distinct perspective, but that will show you the heart and soul of a new place.
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