Independence Day in Chile is the 18
th 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.
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. 
No comments:
Post a Comment