Bicentennial

Lots going on this weekend. Chile celebrated it's 200th birthday; here's a small list of activities in which we participated:

1. Ranch: Friends of ours have a "ranch" south of Santiago. It's more like a mountain range; as far as we could see, that was the family ranch. Gorgeous hiking, night parties in the small town down the street.

2. The Border: At the ranch this weekend, we took a drive through the mountains and decided to go as far as we could to the Argentinian border. We made within about 6 miles before we met up with the border control officers. Usually border control = trouble, but these guys gave us a tour of the hot springs located nearby, let us take our picture with them, and gave us a handful of empanadas. Only in Chile.

3. No Shopping: Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING shut down Saturday, Sunday and Monday, including all malls, stores, groceries, schools and businesses. I think the only places open were hospitals and gas stations.

4. Parades: We went to the Grand Military Parade at Parque O'Higgins yesterday. Parades here are different. We expected people to line the streets, but instead the President, high-ranking military and other high-ups rode around in front of a stadium and gave speeches. The President drove by us just as a lady next to us fainted; Dave and Molly saw the President, I helped the lady (that's the OT in me.) No bands, no dancers, no floats, but a lot of families picnicking and flying kites.

5. Parties: Since the stores were closed for three days, we stocked up on food. Needless to say, we haven't eaten any of it since we've been at friends' houses. Tomorrow, back to the real world, but bicentennial celebrations only happen once!