Scenes from Our Life in Chile Winter 2009

We walk all the time in Santiago. This view is one block from our apartment taken on a Saturday afternoon, the 12th of September.

The 11th of September is the anniversary of the revolution when Pinochet took the government over. It is a feared day because many people have opposing views in Chile and there is always some violence on the 11th. In fact, all missionaries have to stay in after 7pm on that evening to be safe. Things close up and in the rough sections of town there is mob violence. So the following day we were interested to view a celebration of this take over.

Many people were yelling: Viva Pinochet! There are strong opinions pro and con.

People dressed their dogs for the rally.

One this same Saturday the buses rolled in filled with Mormons from all over Chile to attend the Santiago Temple. Sometimes, they have as many as 7 bus loads who will spend the day or two days doing work in the Temple.

They bring their children who often play on the temple grounds. These are precious.

This is Anna-Marie in a coastal town taking a break after a zone conference.

Bryce and David Dixon at a museum south of Santiago.

A popular eating place in the mountains about an hour out of town.

Our friends from Canada, George and Gail Schow. He is a dentist and getting special training in Santiago. She and I teach a music conducting course together at church.

This is David Dixon, a missionary serving as the area doctor for the missionaries. Anna-Marie and David work together to help sick missionaries.

Interior of a famous Catholic Church in Chillan, Chile about 4 hours south of Santiago. We travelled there with the Dixons to attend a wedding and bless a new baby.

Notice that it is winter. Very cute phone booth don't you think?

This is a meat lover's paradise. Shopping in South America is never boring.

Notice the prices....in pesos.

The greatest sacrifice of serving a mission is missing our grandchildren. As you can see, baby Hannah is a great comfort to a grandfather without his grandchildren.

This is Hannah's extended family. Her mother is a US citizen, her father is a Chileno. Her paternal grandfather has never owned a car in his entire life. Life is very different in South America.

Now isn't this the most beautiful thing you have seen posted on this blog?

Mother and daughter, Viri and Hannah. They are moving to Nevada to be with Viri's family so we will see them all again in the United States.

Wonderful new friends that we look forward to introducing to our own family someday.

Dieciocho de septiembre

Independence Day in Chile is the 18th of September. They commemorate the process of breaking away from Spain about 1811. Chilenos are passionate and beautiful people who are very passionate about dieciocho de septiembre and celebrate it beautifully. We have been fortunate enough to have been here for two such celebrations. The full week celebration includes festivals in the parks, musicals, dances, parades and horsemanship. This posting will offer you a sample of it. Click on any picture you want to enlarge. You hear the music echoing off the high rise apartments before you see them. We ran down to the street only a few steps from our front door to join the crowds. I'm in the orange fleece.

Others have heard the clamor and leave the convent which is just around the corner to come and pay tribute.

Babies dressed in tradition clothing (with a pacifier) start the process of learning what it is to be Chileno.

The carabinaros (national police) help clear the streets and keep us safe. This one parked his Harley motorcycle. Pretty cool! We always respect and trust the carabinaros. They are above reproach and help make Chile a wonderful place to live.

This is the armada or navy marching team and band. They look really sharp and sound great.

This young man's mother was admiring him when the band took a 5 minute break.

Their uniforms are perfect. They reminded me of toy soldiers. The people actually march with the parade. There is no sitting on the sidelines. When the parade moves so do the people. We walked several blocks with the parade and loved the feeling of participation that it gave us.

In Chile people dress their dogs! Crazy but true! So of course they wore their special holiday clothes for this occasion.

Now it is time to dance the Cueca (quake ah) which is the national dance of Chile. Lots of handkerchief waving and foot stamping.

This pair of dancers are in typical Cueca traditional dance clothing.

We took lessons one evening and if you think it looks easy you are wrong.

Horses are as loved here as the dogs. This is one of the dancing horses.

They also have beautiful teams of horses and fine buggies. Notice the Andes in the background.

These dancers represent the original tribes people. The Mapochi. The crowds loves them and their bare back riders.

This dancer is dressed like a hawk and is always present in tradition Chilean celebrations.

This horse is doing the Cueca dance and is actually moving in time with the music. They love the dance and the horse so of course they combine the two.

Vive Chile! After 14 months of living in Chile there are times that we almost could be Chilenos. Our love of family calls us home, but we will return with a piece of Chile deep in our hearts.

Winter Trip to La Serena

Late in August, we were invited to present atzone conferences in the Vina Del Mar Mission which is west of Santiago on the Pacific coast and runs north several hundred miles. It was great to get out of the city and see some of the beautiful countryside. It was about a 5 hour drive north west to arrive in the colonial city of La Serena.

These missionaries translated for Cathy Dixon and me in the zone conference and did a wonderful job. Both of them are from countries in South America.

La Serena has many beautiful Catholic cathedrals.

It also boasts beautifully cared for colonial style government buildings.

Here is an example of a local neighborhood housing development. Charming.

City streets were busy and very clean which is in contrast to many South American cities.

Traffic congestion is common which is amazing to me because many people use public transportation. If they all had cars this country would be grid locked!

The local museum had a statue from Easter Island which was interesting but not as interesting as the 2 shrunken heads exhibited! I was so startled by them that I did a little research online. I discovered that shrunken heads were only made by a couple of tribes in Peru and Equador. The warriors would kill their victims and cut off their heads. They would then spend a week or two preparing the shrunken head. Basically, they skinned it, and then tanned it. During the process it shrunk. Then they stuffed it. UCK! Unfortunately, North American tourists in the late 1800's and early 1900's liked to collect them. This lead to a market for such things and the countries had to outlaw the sale of and importation of such souvenirs. I didn't take a picture and I won't be bringing any home!

Along the beach there is a light house. There are also about 40 high rise condos with views of the ocean. La Serena is a popular resort town.

This is a view of Coquimbo looking back to La Serena. Coquimbo use to be the stomping ground of Sir Frances Drake the explorer one time pirate. This picture was taken from the inside of a giant cement cross called Cruz del Tercer Milenio. The cross dominates the city and can be seen for miles. You take two elevators to arrive at the horizontal portion which houses an observation area. It is not for the faint of heart. It is 93 meters tall. But some experiences are not to be missed.

These flowers were at the foot of the cross. We have these flowers even in winter in Chile.

This photograph gives you an idea of how the cross stands out on the horizon of this small city.

The horizontal piece has windows for photos. It was an anxiety invoking experience for me but Bryce loved it.

At the foot of the cross is large chapel with a replica of the Pieta by Michaelangelo. I actually saw the original in Rome two summers ago. This one didn't have a crowd around it so we could enjoy it. They also had a museum with papal robes and hats and jewels that was unique.