Fiestas Patrias

This past weekend was a Chilean Holiday (Fiestas Patrias: 18th of September - Chilean Independence and 19th of September - Chilean Military Day). This meant a few things:
1. Over-eating of meat at asados (BBQ) and ramadas (outside fair)
2. Over-drinking of chicha (ale-type alcoholic drink made from grapes)
3. Lazying around all weekend
4. Parada Militar in Santiago (and the lesser known Anti-Parada-Militar Parade)

Here are some pics:

While I had lunch on Plaza de Armas, a group of young people (70 - 100 individuals) dressed as clowns (WTF) protested the Parada Militar. I think it was a general anti-Military parade. They blocked a street, and just yelled random things. The Carabineros (public policemen, dressed in green) came with some vans and a tank (!!). After about 10 minutes the Carabineros started hosing down the protesters with water that was sprayed from the military tank. Then they proceeded to arrest some people (totally manhandeled). The protestors were really young, I'd say average between 15 - 17 years old. The women Carabineros were SUPER scary looking. Eek!

The Parada Militar in Parque O'Higgins. Apparently tickets were necessary to enter the arena and sit on the bleachers. I didn't have a ticket but was in the first row at the fence, so got a semi-good view. Got too tired of standing after an hour and a half so left. It was kind of boring, but seeing the Navy/Military uniforms were kind of neat.


The coolest part about the parade was the airshow. I liked the first plane but it went way too fast for me to take a picture. I got this one though. Red White and Blue (Chilean flag colors)!

Some Chilean foods/drinks:
1. Asado: BBQ, usually pork or beef
2. Empanadas: local specialty is pino (minced beef with onion filling)
3. Anticuchos: blocks of meat and onion on a stick and grilled. Like a Kebab.
4. Chicha: alcoholic grape ale
5. Chirimoya: Chilean fruit. Looks like an Artichoke on the outside. White on the inside with black seeds.