Fiestas Patrias!

Happy (chilean) independence day!! September 18th was the celebration of the 199th anniversary of Chilean Independence, and we are now in the 200th year! Independence day, Fiestas Patrias, is a really big deal here. Not that July 4th isn't a big deal, but I think the fact that we're in summer vacation makes it not as exciting all the time. Most of the Chilean schools and Universities had all of last week as vacation because of fiestas patrias. I, unfortunately, had an exam last Wednesday, but a 4 day weekend wasn't that bad.

Wednesday after class we went to the 'festival de la chilenidad' at the University. They had 3 legged races, Cueca dancing competitions, and a lot of food. We didn't participate in any of the activities, but it was beautiful outside, so it was nice to sit and relax. On Thursday I went with one of my friends to the fonda in Providencia, which was kind of like a town fair. They had them all over Chile starting on the 17th. We watched Cueca dancing competitions, walked around a lot of different artisan booths, and of course ate a lot of food. My host mom told me that people usally gain about 3 kilos (~6 lbs?) during fiestas patrias, I hope that was not that case with me...but I can see how that could happen. At this fonda we ate chorripan, which is very common to eat on Fiestas Patrias, I think it's kind of like a sausage? Really good! We ate churros filled with manjar, which was delicious, and also chocolate covered fruit. fruit=healthy right? It's also common to drink chicha, which is a kind of wine, or something called borgeño (I'm not sure exactly of the name) which is white wine with peaches. After wandering this fonda for a couple of hours, we went over to the moneda, which is the main government building of Chile. We had heard there was something going on for the bicentennial, but weren't quite sure. We exit the metro station, and there was a huge concert going on. I'm horrible with  gauging numbers, but I want to say about 6 thousand people? There were all different chilean music groups playing. I didn't really know any of them, but everyone around me was really excited, so we jumped around and tried to sing some songs...Around 10:00 Bachelet (Chile's president) came to the concert which was pretty cool.  This concert was celebrating the beginning of Chile's 200th year...I cannot even imagine what this country is going to be like for fiestas patrias next year...absolutly nuts.

Friday through Sunday I spent at my host family's parcela, which I guess is kind-of like their country house, about an hour outside of the city.  It was really nice to get out the city for the a while. The parcela was really beautiful and relaxing.  We did a lot of eating, which was not at all surprising, and was delicious. We ate a huge lunch around 2:00, and then I talked for a while with some more people in my host family. The idea that at 18 we go and live by ourselves to go the college shocks people here...every time. I've found people are also really interested in what I think about familial relationships. The more I spend time with people down here, I've found that we're probably a lot more similar than we think. While we don't  have sit-down dinners/lunches every week, and I go to school 2 hours in plane from my house, I don't think that means that my relationship with my family is weaker because of this, it may even make it stronger.

            

me with my host mom and host aunt

After lunch, we made empanadas. While this time it wasn't nearly as eventful (no fires or anything), it was a lot of fun. We made about 45 empanadas with meat, onions, a piece of hardboiled egg, olive and a raisin. We put all the empanadas in the brick oven outside, and soon enough they were ready. With 14 people, we had no problem eating all of them. We didn't have dinner, but the empanadas were more than filling. After a while, most of the adults went to bed and I stayed up with my host siblings and their friends, and some how managed to stay up until about 3, which in Chile, of course is really early.

Saturday, after eating a huge lunch, it was kind of like paella, (all different types of meat, and rice, and in one of the hugest pans I have ever seem), we flew kites outside. I cannot remember the last time I flew a kite. It was so nice out, it was perfect weather for being outside and relaxing. We didn't eat dinner, but more of an 'once' with pan amasada (spelling?) homemade bread that I helped make!, with piebre, which is like salsa, avacado, and tea/coffee. It definitely sounds like all we did was eat...which is not true, but the food is definitely worth mentioning. That night I again hung out with my host siblings, and managed to stay up until 5am...a lot more respectable.

host cousin, me, host sister,

host brother and friends

Today we managed to wake up just in time for a  2pm lunch of cazuela (I'm pretty sure i've already mentioned this) but it's a soup with meat, potatoes and a portion of corn-on-the-cob. Really delicious, and I've also figured out a less awkward way to eat corn on the cob out of a soup, which is exciting. After lunch we packed up and came back home. All in all, a really nice weekend, and the fact that I don't really have much work to do makes it that much better.

Bought some honey at the fonda, maybe it's time for some apples and honey? shana tova everyone! (a little late? I think it's okay...)

this week: a talk about chilean folklore, cueca dancing with host moms, a lot more food? sounds good. until next time!