Fiestas Patrias AKA Independence gone crazy

We just emerged from the long weekend that was "dieciocho" weekend.  All of Chile has been celebrating their independence since Friday, and some people won't quit until they have to go back to work on Monday.  Friday afternoon on the news they showed the mass exodus from Santiago as people flocked to beaches, lakes, etc for their celebrations.  We stayed in Santiago and I would say definitely "experienced" the craziness.
I had more people ask me over the last few days what the 4th of July is like in America, to which I replied "mas tranquilo que aqui", as in, most people only get one day off of work, and while we drink beer and barbeque, it is far less debaucherous overall.  A few years back, I went to the ultimate 4th of July celebration in Boston, and I would still say---calm in comparison.
The weather for dieciocho, for lack of a better word, kind of sucked.  It was cold and rainy for days, but that doesn't really seem to deter the people of Chile.  The preparations around town have been happening since we arrived here.  You would be hard pressed to find a home, building, park or car that wasn't sporting la banderita de Chile.  Actually, as we drove to an Asado on Sunday, little Antonia began pointing them out "Ese, ese, ese, ese"  literally every two seconds.  Obviously, Chileans are very proud of their country, but from what I have experienced so far, it isn't in a "our country is better than your country so there" kind of proud, but more of a "I live here in an independent country with lots of things to offer, isn't that cool?" kind of proud.  Worth noting :).
We experienced a mix of at home asado and out on the town fondas.  My Spanish teacher told me that the average Chilean gains 3 kilos over the celebrations, and I believe it.  SO MUCH FOOD!! annndd.. drinking.    Over the next few days, I am only allowed water and vegetables to counteract all of the Chicha, Terremoto (Earthquake... a drink with some kind of wine, pineapple icecream and grenadine), Cerveza, Vino, Choripan, Carne, Carne and MORE Carne, and Empanadas.  Seriously.. everything was delicious, but wow.
Needless to say, even though the highway was packed with cars on Friday, there were still PLENTY of people in Santiago to partake in all of the celebrations.  The 19th is Military Day (how convenient), and there was a fantastic parade to celebrate every branch, including the police officers.  Side note:  No one is allowed to make anyone work on ANY of these national holidays.  There was actually a story on the news about it-- if you made your employees work and got caught, you got fined.  Anyway, here is photo evidence of the fun.

The family made homemade empanadas.  They were, obviously fantastic.  The traditional kind called pino has some kind of onion/meat mix with part of a hardboiled egg and one olive.

Salud!

Estadio Nacional Fonda en Nunoa-- Chicha, Rodeo, y diversion OH MY!!

This game is your run of the mill carnival game in which you play "ring toss" on to wine, beer, soda.  This game was set up every 15 steps.   You also got 20 tries for the equivalent of $1.  Obviously, we still didn't win.

 I saw this on one of those "Bizarre Foods" shows at home awhile back.  "Sandwich Potito"= "Butt Sandwich"... I laugh every time, so we took photos.  I didn't eat it this time-- honestly, it had a really distinctive smell that wasn't near as good as all of the other food being served.  Are we adventurous enough to eat "butt".?.. I guess we'll see.

People playing foosball...Taca taca

On the 19th.. Military Day, we went to Parque O'Higgins to partake in the festivities.  The first part of this actually reminded me of the people aligning themselves along the river in Boston awaiting the fireworks... picnicing etc.  The one clear difference were the people flying kites.  Chilenos love their volantines.  There were hundreds in the air, many "fighting" one another by trying to snap the string.  It was a pretty cool sight.  We got to see part of the parade, which gave me my marching band fix for the time being.  All of the military was dressed in regalia, INCLUDING high heels for the lady-cops.  WHAT?  That hardly seems fair, but there ya go.

The president is somewhere in this picture. Look verrry closely.  

Sweet glasses bro!

 

Somewhere there are many sad children because their kites are in this tree.  

Check out those lines!  And we are in step!  Well done!

 Watching the parade was very pleasant and fun.  People watching was enjoyable.  When we decided to leave and made the choice to walk through the "carnival" area is when I had my first real unenjoyable  moment since arriving here.  It was SO full of people that you moved with the current... until you didn't and had to force yourself through.  I was so afraid that one of the many small children that parents were trying to maneuver was doing to trip and be trampled.  There were drunk people stone cold passed out on the ground and people just laughed and stepped around them.  There were so many smells, sounds, and sights that I was on definite sensory overload.  That was definitely a "see it one time" kind of thing.  Once we escaped the masses, we rewarded ourselves with yet another empanada--- all was right with the world.

Basically, my first dieciocho was a success.  A huge thanks to family that made sure we had the right experiences.  I am hoping that the flags don't go away.  Honestly, seeing them everywhere, sometimes I feel right at home looking up at the lonestar.  Viva Chile!  God Bless Texas!  Party on y'all!  :)

Una foto vale mil palabras

There are so many things to share about being in Chile that I am actually semi-overwhelmed about this whole blog thing.  It has only been two weeks, and I want to tell you guys everything about everything, but for now, less words, mas fotos.
  I keep having to tell myself that we have time to see it all, and not to rush it, but it is difficult to hold back with so many beautiful buildings, views, etc.  Last week I started my intensive Spanish class (more on that later) which meets from 9-1:30.  We used the afternoons to do a LOT of walking and see some pretty neat things.  The architecture alone is so fantastic that it makes you feel as if you have been transported to another time.  Restoring old buildings and appreciating one's heritage instead of knocking them down to build high rises and parking lots--- gotta love it.

The Teatro Municipal hosts all kinds of performances.  I hope to see inside at some point. 

 The beautiful Santa Lucia Hill (park) in the middle of the city creates almost an Oasis in the middle of chaos.  There were people in every nook of this park making out (obviously), and once you climbed the ultra-steep stairs, the views were pretty stunning.  In the park is a monument to Pedro Valdivia (who conquered the hill and "discovered" Santiago) and a defense fort (Castle).  Mire!

There were a few dogs... Obviously

       

 That hill in the distance is Cerro San Cristobal.  It is on the "to-do" list.

Ahhh.  Santa Lucia.  What a beautiful place.  The next two pictures are with La Moneda, the Presidential Palace.  Mr. Pres doesn't actually live here, although, as you can see, it is very difficult to get very close.  Even from afar though, it is pretty fantastic.  

Last Friday afternoon we reserved for San Cristobal; however, when we arrived the "funicular" that takes you up the mountain was out of service (bummer).  We went to the zoologico in the park, which was built right into the side of the mountain, meaning lots of uphill walking.  Spring was definitely in the air at the zoo, if... you know what I mean.  Lets just say "Como que estan reproduciendo?" from the mouth of a small child is now a Spanish phrase I didn't know I'd know.  

Anyway, after spending so much time at the zoo, our drive to climb that mountain diminished.  We hiked about half way up and decided to come back another day when we had more time.  I am definitely anticipating the view from the top since these pictures were taken less than half way up.  

We also visited the Plaza de Armas, which is the plaza in the middle of the city that holds the post office and the national cathedral.  Both of those things were very beautiful (I know.. a post office you say?  But seriously). There were also tons of guys playing chess in the middle of the day.  What a life.  

 
 



And for your entertainment.....Equal parts funny and delicious :).