Arizona? Like the Eggs?

Explaining where you are from is part of the "living in another country" experience. Explaining where Arizona is part of the "Beth Anne rambling in Spanish and answering unusual questions" experience.

Since being in Chile, I have explained where I am from many different times and each time I am met with additional questions, some of which are completely unexpected. When I first got here and told someone I was from Arizona, they responded with, "Arizona? Like the eggs (los huevos)?" I was so confused. I thought for sure this was a language barrier, how could Arizona be connected with eggs? And then I saw it-

Now, I understood! Arizona = Name of Chilean brand of eggs. Little did I know that this was the first of many questions about Arizona.

Here is a list of a few of the translated into English, reoccurring dialogues I have had when explaining Arizona.

John Wayne

Chilean: Where are you from in the United States?
Me: Arizona.
Chilean: Arizona! I love Arizona. I have seen all the John Wayne movies. Is living in Arizona like those movies?
Me: Not really, no. That was a long time ago.
Chilean: But you still have cowboys, right?
Me: Not really, no. But there are a couple left.
Chilean: So, did you ever date a cowboy?
Me: No.
Chilean: Have you dated anyone who looked like John Wayne?
Me: No.
Chilean: But you have seen a bank robbery and people riding away on horses, right?
Me (sigh): Only in the movies.

New York

Chilean: What city are you from?
Me: Phoenix. It's in Arizona.
Chilean: Is it like New York City?
Me: No, not at all.
Chilean: So Phoenix, isn't a city?
Me: No, Phoenix is a city. It's just that NYC is unlike any city in the world, including Phoenix. Phoenix is way smaller, more spread out, and in the middle of a desert.
Chilean: So, is it like Las Vegas?
Me: Kind of. But without Ocean's 11 and less casinos.
Chilean: I'd rather go to New York City.


Spanish


Chilean: Where are you from in the United States?
Me: Arizona. It's close to Mexico.
Chilean: Are there a lot of Mexicans in your state?
Me: Yep.
Chilean: Do they speak Spanish or English?
Me: It depends. A lot of times they speak both.
Chilean: If you have so many Spanish speakers in your state, why are you not fluent in Spanish?
Me: ...


Miami 


Chilean: Where are you from in the United States?
Me: Arizona.
Chilean: Is it close to Miami?
Me: No, it's on the other side of the country?
Chilean: I have heard there are a lot of Cubans in Miami. Do you have a lot of Cubans in your state too?
Me: No, a lot of the Cubans go to Miami not Arizona. It's called "Little Havana" in Florida. We don't have that in Arizona.
Chilean: So then, what do Arizonans think of Castro?
Me (diplomatically): What do you think of Castro?

Latinos


Chilean: Where are you from in the United States?
Me: Arizona. It's close to Mexico and California.
Chilean: Which Latinos do you think are better- the Mexicans or us Chileans?
Me (looking for the win-win): Well, you guys have really good bread and wine and they have really good tamales and tequila.
Chilean: But who is better?
Me (last resort): Who usually wins in fútbol?





National Headlines


Chilean: Where are you from in the United States?
Me: Arizona.
Chilean: Arizona! I read about your state all the time in the news.
Me: Uh, oh.
Chilean: You're from the racist state.
Me: Umm. Well not all of us are racist but that is definitely a problem.
Chilean: I know all about Joe Arpaio. Are you racist?
Me: No! That's a problem in my state not with me personally.
Chilean: Is that why you moved to Chile? You don't want to get arrested for not being racist?
Me: Umm. Okay, we will go with that.


Texas

Chilean: Where are you from in the United States?
Me: Arizona. It's in the Western part of the United States.
Chilean: So, are you guys close to Texas?
Me: No, absolutely not. No connection with Texas.



Ocean


Chilean: Where are you from in the United States?
Me: Arizona. It's close to Mexico and California.
Chilean: So, do you have access to the ocean?
Me: No. But we do have some pretty awesome forests and deserts.
Chilean: Well in Chile, we have forests, deserts, AND access to the ocean.
Me (when I am feeling feisty): Well, we have the Grand Canyon, which is one of the seven natural wonders of the world!



Geography Lesson



Chilean: Where are you from in the United States?
Me: Arizona.
Chilean: Arizona! I know where that is, near California and Mexico.
Me: Yeah! How did you know?
Chilean: I learned where all the states and important cities are in your country.
Me: Wow! Right on.
Chilean: Do you think Americans know all the states and important cities in Chile?
Me: Umm, about that...