Entrepreneur, Guest House Owner, Language Teacher, Creative Knitter, Valparaíso, Chile

“Fortunate are the people whose roots are deep”, wrote naval cryptanalyst Agnes Meyer Driscoll. Ms. Catalina Atria Alamos, my latest WOW Woman, proudly showcases her family’s lineage inside her passion project, her home in Valparaiso, Chile. Together with her husband, Ms. Alamos runs a beautiful guest house where her Chilean ancestry is displayed in a beautiful historical homage to the strong women in her family. Catalina Atria, or Cata Atria, is somewhat of a historian; a proud scholar of the way Chilean society has evolved over the decades. She is happy to share her family’s role in the political arena and the consequences of the ebbs and flows that led to her country’s progress. Having a chance to live and travel on multiple continents, Cata Atria is well-versed in how she fits into the large mosaic of humanity, thankful to have these experiences and proud to impart the stories that made her the WOW Woman she is today.

1. Name.

Catalina Atria Alamos.

2. Where is your hometown?

Valparaíso, Chile.

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like? 

I am a language teacher by trade. I began teaching conversational English in BuaKhao, a small rural town in NorthEast Thailand in 2005. Johnny, my boyfriend at the time and I had chosen to travel after college instead of getting married. We had met in 2003 when we both took a History class in my college in Santiago, Chile (he was an exchange student). When his year was done and he returned to the US, we decided we wanted to remain together. In order to do so, we had to get married, but we didn't feel comfortable with that option as we were in our early 20s, so we decided to spend some time in SouthEast Asia instead. After a few months of traveling, we found jobs as teachers. It was a great experience and the first of my classroom years. Apart from Thailand, I was fortunate to teach in Chile and California.

In 2015, Johnny and I had been living in San Francisco, California for many years and decided to completely change our lives again by moving to Valparaíso, Chile to start a guest house. We arrived in 2016 and began to remodel the house and rent the rooms that became available while working on the rest of the house. Casa California became fully operational against many odds in 2021, after many downs, social unrest, and the pandemic.

So now I am a guest house owner. Johnny and I do all the work. On a regular day I get up around 7am, catch up on news, prepare breakfast for guests, clean rooms for new guests, welcome or say goodbye to guests, talk to guests/answer their questions, do laundry, answer email inquiries and reservations, pay bills and deal with a crazy amount of bureaucracy, among other things. During my down time I exercise, knit, read, study (knitting design mostly), garden, and spend some time on social media.

4. What did you study in school?

I studied Spanish Literature and Linguistics and wrote a thesis on the topic of platonic love within the work of Chilean writer Pedro Lemebel, an lgbt novelist. I graduated in 2004. In 2012 I got a teaching credential for Spanish and another in English, in 2015.

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the moment for you that changed your life (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life?

I think everything I am today stems from my parents' experience and the way I was brought up. On Sept 11, 1973 (which also happened to be my mom's 21st birthday) there was a military coup in Chile that ended Salvador Allende's government. My parents had recently married and had a week old baby. They were both politically active in the MAPU party, which was student led. My father disappeared that day, leaving my mom recovering from a C-section and taking care of a newborn by herself. It was a very difficult time for both of them for different reasons. Months later, my father was freed and they moved to Spain, where they began a more normal life, away from danger and everything they knew. I was born in Barcelona, years later, in 1981. In 1982, the Chilean dictatorship loosened its grip and many people that had lived in exile moved back home -among them, my parents. My father, now a journalist, began writing for an important dissident magazine and worked on a top-secret project: the first book on human rights in Chile and their violation by the dictatorship. My mother, a psychologist, worked for a non-profit that helped families victims of the dictatorship. In 1987, the political situation became heated again, and we fled to the US, where we would live until democracy was restored in 1991.

I really think that this experience is where I get my main personality attributes as well as most of my values. My parents have an amazingly strong bond and never allowed what happened to them to permeate into our lives as children. I didn't know the truth of what had happened until I was a teenager.

The second significant moment to get me to where I am today was meeting my husband. Being from different countries forced us to think out of the box on how we could remain together without marrying before we were ready to do so. That took us to SouthEast Asia and allowed us to experience many things together and 19 years later has us living as a couple who are also business partners.

When I think about moments in my life that make me proud of myself I'd list: being a 1st place recipient in 2nd grade for my science project on plant breathing in closed conditions; chocetting my first sweater in 5th grade and sewing my first dress by hand in high school; singing live with the bands I've played with in front of big crowds; being able to get my American green card having done all the paperwork by myself (those who have gone through the process know how exhausting it is!); receiving the Teachers for Social Justice Teacher of the Year Award after being nominated by my peers; having been named by students in the graduation speeches as someone important in their lives; knitting and sewing gifts for people and seeing how they love them. 

6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?

At 20 I thought I'd work in a publishing house and edit books for a living. I also assumed that by 40 I'd have children. Apart from that, I can't really remember what else I expected my future to be like.

7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?

The most recent time was a few years ago when we realized we were being ripped off by the construction team a year into the remodeling of our house. A significant amount of money was lost and we were left stranded after having to fire the entire team. We took a few weeks off to get clarity on how to proceed and process what had happened (the people in charge were friends of ours, or so we thought). We came out of this much stronger and assertive in terms of how to lead our own projects and their processes. It meant significantly more work on our end since we couldn't trust the experts we had hired but we learned a lot and I definitely think it made us stronger as business people and as a couple.

8. Advice for other women?

Don't be afraid to take the lead.

We are four sisters at home, so my dad was very adamant in raising us to not depend on a man. I think this served us well, we have learned to be independent, strong, and fearless when taking on challenges and making important decisions in life... as well as when dealing with the tough moments we've gone through.

9. Knowing what we know now in a current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?

I'd say yes. I've seen women do it all. I think we have realized our true potential and that our male peers are also more aware of their roles as partners, which has lifted some of the burden women feel while trying to do it all. I think a lot more needs to be done so women stop feeling guilty and take on more than they should, but I think we're on the right path. I also think it's important to know that you may mess it up sometimes, that you may need help, and that it's ok to ask for it. Luckily, more of us are free to decide how we want to live our lives. 

10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?

I think because of my upbringing I am very adaptable and feel content with relatively little. I feel happy most of the time and enjoy everything I do. I guess I feel tallest among friends and family, where I feel loved, supported, and intellectually challenged.

11. What extracurricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?

Right now, definitely knitting, I have a couple designs that will be published in a Chilean magazine this year. My grandma and my sister taught me the basics when I was a child. Everything after that has been self taught. I've also taught myself how to sew (although I'm not as confident). I love tending to my plants, have had a love for them since I was young and now get to have as many as I want. I used to sing in a few bands, now it's just my husband and I at home. I love to read, dance and hula hoop as well. Oh, and I have a 54/54 in Wordle!

12. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?

I'd love to have children one day, although I now know that it may not be in the cards for us.

13. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

As an Atheist, the fear of aging and of there being no life after death is a big deal to me. I feel like time goes by too quickly, that I have so much more to do with my life (or that I would have wanted to do). The idea that I will never see those I love again is an issue for me. Sometimes I wish I had the gift of faith; then I'd have certainty that everything would be ok no matter what. But that is not what I believe. So, I just take solace in the words of Carl Sagan talking about how lucky he was to be alive at the same time as his wife. In my case, I add everyone I love: "In the vastness of space and the immensity of time, it is my joy to share a planet and an epoch with Annie".

14. Anything you'd do differently, if you had another go at life?

I think there's a few things I'd do differently: I'd treat my sister closest to me in age better as a kid (I was highly competitive and sometimes cruel, and it still haunts me, although she's totally over it and we are very close). I'd also study Botany or Fashion Design. I would've done more traveling alone as my younger self. And I would've tried to have children earlier.

15. What/who inspires you?

In general: people. Because of the jobs I've had I've been able to meet a lot of people. I get to talk to so many different individuals and everyone has an interesting life, no matter how "normal". I love hearing people's points of views on all sorts of topics and their life stories. It's very eye-opening and humbling.

16. What are you hopeful about?

I'm hopeful about mankind in general. I think people are good overall and that if given the opportunity we will all do the right thing. I'm hopeful that younger generations are more in tune with what is needed to change the world for the better, making it more inclusive, respectful of nature, and loving. 

17. What are some ingredients to a good life? Has the global pandemic changed your perspective about the world, about your life, your goals and dreams?

The pandemic confirmed to me what makes a good life: having health, food, shelter, and a support system. If your basic needs are met, everything else is icing on the cake. The pandemic was a time for me to grow in creative areas. We were lucky enough to not have to pay a mortgage or salaries and we have no children so in many ways it was the best case scenario: our basic needs were pretty much met, so it was a matter of "waiting it out". Our city was under lockdown for many months and the tourism industry only reopened somewhat normally after 18 months, so it was a long time to be on hiatus. We made the most of it: I did a lot of volunteer work, wrote a children's book on plants, studied different topics and went deeper into knitting design. I counted my lucky stars every day.

18. What are (at least) three qualities you most love about yourself and why? What are your superpowers?

I am lucky to be easy-going and well-tempered (I don't sweat the small stuff generally, it really makes life a lot easier) and I make people feel seen and heard. These qualities have helped me as a teacher and have allowed me to run my guest-house as well. I also make plants bloom and turn yarn and cloth into garments, toys and houseware. 

19. What advice would you give your 14-year-old self? What advice would your 14-year-old self give you in return?

I'd tell her to think about the future more and to work harder on grades. I think my 14 year-old-self would probably think my adult self turned out cool enough, lol.  

20. What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)

My all-time favorite is "El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha", the story of a man that loses his mind after reading too many knight books, by Cervantes. It was written in the 17th century and revolutionized world literature to this day. It is hilarious and very touching.

21. Who is a WOW WOMAN in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description? What would you tell them, if you had an opportunity, about why you admire them?

The first woman would be my mother. She taught me how to stay positive and have a sense of humor in the face of adversity.

The second would be Malala Youzafsai, brave and resilient in the face of Taliban violence.

The third would be Jane Goodall, who became an expert in her field following her gut and going against the grain.

22. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?

My knitting and plant IG: @knitplantlove

My guesthouse: @casacaliforniavalpo and casacalifornia.cl 

My knitting blog: alicantaknits.blogspot.com.

Bonus Quick Round Qs:

1. What and who is worth suffering for? Love and the right to live your life as you truly are (as long as that does not harm others).

2. What would you do if you knew that nobody would judge you? Walk around naked and eat as much as I want.

3. Who is/are your mentor/s (men or women)? My parents and Mr Rogers. My parents taught me resilience, hard work, positivity in the face of adversity, and to be empathetic. Mr Rogers is just goodness personified. Everything he says is words to live by.

4. If you didn't have to work anymore what would you do with your days? I am lucky to already be doing what I would do more of: knitting, gardening, and sewing, mainly. I honestly don't need much. If I had lots of spare money: traveling, for sure!

5. If you could be anyone for a day who would you be? I'd probably want to be my husband, Johnny. I'd love to experience the world how he does. 

6. If you could relive one year in your life, which one would it be? Probably my trip through SouthEast Asia in my early 20s with my husband. Every day was an adventure. Also, years from my childhood, I had a great time as a kid, especially the years in the US. We lived in a building with lots of other children and had so much fun.

7. What bothers you most about other people? What do you love most about other people? What bothers me most about people: being inconsiderate, disrespectful, a bully, and lacking integrity. What I love most: their resilience, creativity, humanitarianism, when people overcome and change for the better.