Compared with life in South America, Dunedin can be a bit cold and dull at this time of year.
But that changed yesterday, when a group of Chilean schoolgirls spiced up the midwinter day with a good old-fashioned fiesta.
Ten pupils from St Margaret's British School for Girls, in Vina Del Mar, brought a bit of ''olé!'' to the day at Columba College by having music, food and dance from the South American country.
One of the pupils, Antonia Lopez (15), said she and her classmates took great delight in bringing a bit of their culture to Dunedin.
''Here everything is more like safe - everyone follows the rules perfectly.
''I'm very impressed with the driving here. In Chile, we don't follow the speed instructions or anything like that.
''In Chile, we are like more noisy and very athletic. We are like hugging and kissing persons; we are more like, I don't know, a party.''
Despite her assessment of life in New Zealand, she insisted it was not akin to an old folks' home.
''No, New Zealand is not boring. It takes longer to get to know people here, but the great thing is, once you know a person here, you become lifelong friends.
''We are really enjoying our time here. None of us want to go home.''
Columba College principal Juliette Hayes said a group of Columba pupils recently returned from a four-week visit to St Margaret's - their sister school - and this was a reciprocal visit from the Chileans.
They had been visiting the attractions of Dunedin for the past two weeks and were due to return home this weekend.
