¡Feliz 18 de Septiembre!

Ok everyone, I've restrained myself long enough...it's time for a cele-Chilean-abration! This is me (and some random chilean guy behind me, smile random chilean guy!), many moons and several thousand miles ago, enjoying some rico pollo abrazado y papas fritas. Mmm. What you don't also know is that I'm at a big box store called Lider, similar to WalMart, eating that chicken and fries. Yum!



So now it's time for a little time-warp. Let's pretend it's 18 de Septiembre, 2006! The place? La Ligua, V region, Chile. The occasion? Um, I forgot exactly what it is they're celebrating for their Patriotic Fiestas, but it's great, and we should sing and dance for it. So we the missionaries of the Quillota Zone decided to have a great PR activity where we get local members to dance and we sing Chilean songs to general public humiliation (ours) and delight (hopefully, theirs).
And here it is: a fine example of the Chilean "cueca," the national dance. In case you're wondering what the American equivalant is...well, there isn't. We have national birds, fish, anthems, talk-like-a-pirate days, but no national dance. (That I know of.) Anyway, this is it. And here's another:


Here's where the ward members all do a little dance in front of a bunch of normal, everyday Chilean people. Oh, it's awesome. You always get to do the double-clap like that when you watch. And I love the guys' attire: awesome ponchos and hats and even boots. Watch!

Here they are in pause-motion. So you can fully appreciate the traditional clothing. That kid is only like fourteen, but he's way good.


We were taping together little flags to give to people for free. This is that photo I sent home and Mom had up on the fridge for so long it turned yellowed and crusty. Go Hermana Castro! And hurrah for La Ligua sweaters!!


Oh, and we couldn't resist getting one pictures with this cute old lady. She was the mother-in-law of the lady dancing, who was a sister in the ward there. But this abuelita never wanted to get baptized. That's ok. She still served us lunch like once a week. I was cool with that. (P.S. No, it's not a messed up Texas flag. It's Chile. It came first.)

I like this one for two reasons: A) The crazy random elder on the right, and B) The crazy random dancing guy on the left.

Finally, as if you didn't already have enough pictures of me eating, I present to you what the Fiestas Patrias are really about: stuffing yourself silly on "asado" (grilled meat) and whatever delicious food you can find. Maybe it looks like I just posed in front of all that beef just to make it look like I ate a lot. It's not posed. It's real. I ate it all. It was delicious.

And thank you for joining me on this selfish jaunt down mission-memory lane. You've also learned to appreciate another culture! I commend you. Now, go and Talk Like A Pirate!