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.

Working for the Weekend

I had an asado in the house.  It was cold, but the food was good.

 

Hiking in the Cordillera

Making it to the top!!!

Skiing in Valle Nevado

 

 

Free concert in Parque Forestal

Clay Pigs in Pomaire

 

Las Rocas de Santo Domingo

 

Taking the Beetle for a drive.

Porteños

My little Hermanbro is studying in Buenos Aires this semester, so I took advantage of a long weekend to go over and see the human legend himself.  Buenos Aires is a great city as long as you watch where you step. 

 

After the Rain

As I had once posted long ago, Santiago after the rain is a very beautiful place.  This last week it rained in droves and as a result Santiago transformed from its normal dreariness of smog incrusted capitalism into a shining, beautiful city for all to experience.  It's sometimes too bad it takes all year to have one day to realize how amazing the city is.

¡Que Grande La U!

The biggest game each year in Chile is against the two of the Santiago teams: Universidad de Chile and Colo Colo.  Since I have class and don't enjoy the occasional stabbing, I am a fan of 'La U.'  The game took place in Estadio Nacional, the home stadium of La U.  Colo Colo took an early lead, but in the 27th minute La U equalized.  Just before halftime, Colo Colo snuck in an additional goal to send La U back underground with a 1 goal deficit.  The second half would be all La U, scoring in the 55th and again for the win in the 88th.  Of course, to the victors the spoils, and a fine celebration was had!