Viva Chile!

On September 18th, Chile celebrates its Independence Day, and consequently, the whole month of September is a giant party.  It reminds me a little of Ramadan in Egypt and in the holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas in the States. Spring is around the corner, so there are kites everywhere along with bunnies and chicks and really diverse weather patterns.  The circus came to town along with the cowboy festivals, the cueca dances, and all the fun flags and traditional costumes everywhere.  While our old world is gearing up for fall and football - - our new world is embracing spring time and barbecues.  

 Last weekend we took the children to a festival in the park around the corner.  There were traditional cowboy shows including herding, stunts, and massive displays of patriotism.  

 The petting zoo was a huge hit.  Unlike in the States, this one was a walk-in "holding zoo".  There wasn't a bottle of hand sanitizer in sight, either.  

 We rode our first ferris wheel.  And, G and Wyatt rode a mechanical bull!  The video I took is too long to load here, but let's just say that Wyatt went down in about 1.5 seconds.  

 As is common lately, we keep running into friends.  We continue to feel such gratitude that we have already found such kindred spirits with whom to share this adventure.  We have formulated a supper group with two other families, and we've been rotating the cuisine each week to reflect the street food we've found in different countries.  For the last two Saturdays, we have also been hanging out with a large group of people with young children.  Some of the families have lived in Chile for up to eight years!  I have also been having coffee several times each week with a few women who are speaking to me only in Spanish - - despite the utter nonsense that usually comes out of my mouth.  One of the ladies is Chilean, two are from Spain, and one grew up in Holland even though she is actually from Chile, too.  I love getting to know these cultures and being able to practice Spanish in the process. Our time here has been filled with warmth, belonging, and extremely quickly-ignited friendships.  We are fortunate.

Above is sweet Veda.  Her parents are friends of our dear friend, Mary Miller, who we knew first in Niger and then again in Egypt.  Mary moved to India and met Kelly and Jake - - Veda's parents.  Veda was born in India and moved to Chile this year.  This family is so kind and warm.  Greta adores this little girl and takes good care of her where ever we go.

 Post festival, we had a giant wrestling match.  Hoolie decided to stay on the side lines for this one. 

 Today was the big Dieciocho Celebration (Sept. 18) at school.  Greta and Wyatt wore traditional clothes and ate mostly traditional food.  Here Greta and Bella sit in their cueca clothes.

 Above are several boys in G's' class and below is Greta's good friend, Riya.  Riya is from Texas but she's lived in Chile for three years.  Her parents are of Mexican origin, so Riya speaks Spanish perfectly.  

 Playing traditional games. 

 Nicole is another of Greta's main girlfriends.  She is Chilean and speaks very little English.  Nonetheless, Greta and Nicole have bonded.  Greta says that sometimes Riya translates for them.  Greta is coming home each day with new Spanish words, and her accent is beautiful.  She's somewhat cocky about it, though, since everyone keeps telling her that her Spanish is far better than mine already.

 Greta's class made this topographical map of Chile.  She knows more at this point about Chile's history and country than her own.  

Wyatt had his party today, too.  He dressed as a traditional cowboy.  His teacher, Ms. Andrea, made a lovely party for the children.

 The girls in Wy's class had a ball.  Above, Eden and Chelsea.  Below, Maite, Eden, and I cannot remember the child's name in pink.  Eden's parents are from the States, but Eden has lived abroad her whole life.  She was born in Germany and then moved to Chile.  She's a sweetheart.  

It wouldn't be a great day without Wy's bestie, Kieran!  

Apparently, the whole country is off during the week of September 18th, and we are no exception.  We'll be in Chile's Elqui Valley with two other families.  Viva Chile!