HAPPY 200th BIRTHDAY CHILE! September 18th is Chile's national holiday celebrating their independence 200 years ago. It is celebrated with large family parties consisting of much dancing, drinking and eating! The traditional dance is called Cueca and is characterized by it's figure eight and semicircle patterns, and traditional white handkerchiefs which are waived in the air. The traditional foods are grilled meat of all sorts, potato salad, rice and onion-tomato salad. The day after (the 18th is actually celebrated on the 17th, 18th, and 19th) at least in James's family it is traditional to make empanadas. The wine and chicha (a thick, sweet, grape-based drink that as some of you may remember my little hamster was named after!) are always plentiful on these days. Some other traditional foods like Mote con Huesillos are also eaten. Mote
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