Fiestas, Food and Fun

Last Wednesday we went up the street to the church where the abuelitos (elderly people or “grandparents”) eat lunch once a week. Previous volunteers have gone to spend time with them, chat and play games after they have lunch. They seemed like a fun bunch and if we decide to stay here in Chillan we will most likely spend time with them.
Later that day we went to a neighbor’s house because it was one of her daughter’s birthdays. Sister Mimi is her godmother and has a really good relationship with the family. When we got there the birthday girl (Camilla) and all her friends were playing Uno so Kym and I joined in. After awhile all the kids left and we sat around eating snacks and talking. It was a very low key party but it was definitely fun spending time with the family and getting to know them. Everyone was very nice and I look forward to getting to know them better.
On Thursday we went to town with Ale (a woman who helps clean and does other things at Casa Ursulina). She showed us where the important places are such as the post office, banks, theather, etc. We also went to the market and bought all sorts of good stuff: avocados, clementines, lemons, lettuce, artichokes, etc. It was fun to go into town and I look forward to going another time when it isn’t so crowded (everyone was in town preparing for the weekend’s festivities).
On Friday we went out to the campo (country) to visit a lady (Sandra) who attends workshops at Casa Ursulina in Chillan but spends her weekends in the campo. The town is only about 45 minutes away so it didn’t take too long to get there. On the farm there were a bunch of baby lambs, chickens, ginny hens and goats. Before lunch we walked around the farm, caught a baby lamb to hold and talked with Sandra’s daughter. After a huge lunch we all took a siesta which was very nice. After everyone had woken up we went back out to see the sheep and goats because it was time for them to come into their pen for the night. I thought it was really cute how the lambs cry out when they get separated from their mother and then the mom and baby proceed to play a version of Marco Polo until they find each other in the clump of sheep, it’s hard to explain but very amusing to watch! Before leaving we had onces- tea and coffee, bread with jam and cookies.
Saturday was a big day! September 18th is Chile’s independence day and this year is the bicentennial! Viva Chile!! In the morning we went into town and watched a parade. It was pretty much your average parade but with short presentation of La Cueca (the national dance) and lots of Huasos (Chilean cowboys). After the parade a big military helicopter flew overhead and dropped what looked like a ton of confetti but it was actually a bunch of bicentennial bookmarks. Later that night around 8:30 we went over to Carola’s house (same family we visited earlier this week for the birthday) to help make empanadas. Kym and I made lots of empanadas which was fun. Other people were busy making salad, potatoes and grilling meat. Around 10:00 or later everyone (at least 25 people) sat down at a huge table out back to eat. After 3 empanadas, a huge helping of mashed potatoes and salad I was ready to burst! It was all very good and I have to say they were the best empanadas I’ve ever eaten! It may have to do with the fact that these empanadas where fried whereas all the others I’ve eaten have been baked in the oven but I also feel like this dough was extra good and different from what I’ve eaten in the past. As soon as everyone finished eating the dancing began. There was lots of Cueca to begin with but later it was “free dance" time. I eventually danced a little and Kym and I learned (more or less) how to dance la Cueca. It’s not terribly hard but I can’t say I’m any good at it. After lots of talking, dancing and laughing Carola and her husband walked Kym and I home around 4:30 am. It was a great night and fun to meet lots of new people.

Below are pictures of the sheep and goats (the goats reminded us of the story "Three Billy Goats Gruff"!), dancing la Cueca (the little girl in pink has a twin sister and they really can dance!), friends from the party, Carola's relative dressed as a Huaso (Chilean cowboy), and Kym with her first empanada (she has pictures of me making empanadas on her camera but she is sleeping so those will come later...)