Let the fiestas begin

Dieciocho is HUGE here!  18th of September is the celebration of independence for Chile (like the 4th of July, only bigger).  It is an all out party.  It is a week of no school and 3 days off work.  They even have a law (though not enforced) that you must fly the flag for the 18th, and we did.  And the festivities start early.  So even though we weren't actually in Chile for the Dieciocho week, we got plenty of time to celebrate.  So let me start with September 8th were we celebrated at a Saturday school family event (and there were more days at the school too) and then went straight to the church celebration.  And lucky for us it was a extremely nice day, with sunshine and temps in the 70's (which is weird to think, because now I think temperature in Celsius).  So here are some pics of our first day of activities.

 At the school event

 

 There was a Rodeo.  This was a funny event trying to  complete some tasks with three people on at once.  It was entertaining.

 Dance offs, with the traditional dances of Chile.  All of the Chilenos learn these dances, starting in preschool (Easton included).  And everyone knows them...all my kids learned and will keep learning each year they are here.  You will see people as well at the church fiesta from the young ones to the more mature who learned in grade school and keep on doing it year after year.  I like this, it keeps the history alive and traditions going on through the years. 

 Mason climbing the very tall pole.  There were little flags on the top that the first few grabbed, after that it was strictly bragging rights.  Go Mason.  While I was taking these pictures Easton wandered off and gave me the scare of my life.  Mark had not returned from Australia yet so it was me, the kids, and a thousand people.  And a very panicked me, looking for a three year old wandering in a tightly packed crowd...for 4 minutes.  Luckily someone picked him up and brought him to the stage.  Oh, the misery.  So grateful to people who dropped everything to help me look for him.

On to the church for our next fiesta...there are a lot of pictures here, but these are the moments I want to cherish in Chile, where we laughed and loved with the people who have become our friends.  Mark had returned from Australia (a 16 hour flight over night), showered, and met us at this party.

 There was a lot of food and meat!

 There were flags and there was national anthem singing.

Friends who we love.

 

 

 

 Dancing.  This hermano here is the cutest man.  And he could dance.

A professional group was there to dance and then get everyone else dancing.

Look, they got the bishopric to dance.  Mark was such a good sport, since he had no idea and the others have been doing this for a long time.

 There were games...including, with your hands behind your back, shove your face into a plate of flour to find a piece of candy!  I won't include the pic of me looking less than thrilled with the flour up my nose.  Not pretty!