Fiestas Patrias

The Chilean Independence Day is on September 18th.  This is a special time in the Chilean calendar when the vast majority of the country goes on an extended holiday.  This year I went up north with friends to celebrate first in La Serena and then later in Valle del Elqui.  For the Santiaguinos, it is popular to leave the city and spend the holidays in the country as a way of celebrating the country, the land, and connecting to one's traditional Chilean roots.

Passing through new Chilean wind fields on the coast near Los Vilos.

We rented a cabin together near the beach where we spent time walking along the coast, making BBQs, and relaxing outside of the city.

Flying a kite is one of the Chilean Traditional games that are popular during the Dieciocho holidays.

A viewpoint from the LA Serena beach "El Faro" overlooking the port city of Coquimbo.

The Embalse Puclaro provides electricity and water to La Serena and the larger Coquimbo Region. 

Pinky, Pancho, Leah, Elias, Eva, Sarah, and Edmundo

After a few days in La Serena, we continued into the mountains towards the country where all the grapes are grown for the famous Chilean liquor pisco.  In Valle del Elqui we stayed at Rancho Rodriguez where young Chileans come to have a Spring Break type experience with a mixture of traditional Chilean games.

Crossing the one-lane bridge into Vicuña.

The central plaza of Pisco Elqui.

The official Pisco Elqui marching band.

Raf and Pancho at the entrance to Rancho Rodriguez

In the back of a pick-up on the way to a Pisquera tour. 

A little Chilena in a traditional Cueca outfit.

The huasos of Valle del Elqui riding out of town after a traditional parade.