Chilean Dances

September 18th is Las Fiestas Patrias or Chilean Independence Day.  Apparently the whole month is celebrated and Chilean flags are popping up everywhere (mostly on cars and taxis at this point) and the stores are selling a lot of red, white, and blue products (looks familiar) and a lot of traditional costumes.

We keep wondering if we were to place a U.S., Argentine, and Israeli flag on our car which will cause it to be vandalized first.  There are definitely strong feelings on either side for all three countries but I think that given the proximity of Argentina that might annoy people off the most.  Of course, given that there are 200,000 people of Palestinian or Syrian background here the Israel flag might "win" too.  Then again, as we heard from some Chileans we had brunch with yesterday, the imperialist U.S. flag may not go over too well either.  I guess that we can't win!  I'm sure I'll post more about this as I figure it all out but will avoid the flags for now ;-)

At school, each grade learns a different traditional dance and then has to get dressed up one day and perform it.  The kids, especially the older ones, are less than pleased both about having to dance with the opposite sex and to have to dress up.  There is a list for each grade of what they have to wear and I am trying to borrow as much as possible but it is tough because everybody has to wear them.  Apparently, until first grade the kids do a performance for parents but after that they just dress up for gym class and perform for each other (and a grade).

In order to get a better appreciation of the "pain" that they are going through and for the costumes google came the rescue.

First grade is tasked with the Refalosa - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67bhHPiZgYk  I purchase a skirt, apron and handkerchief for Elisa.  She is doing it today but they change at school so I didn't get a photo.

Third grade is doing Trote Nortino - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29PNrAibB3o&feature=related  I am trying to find a wool hat (with "ears") and a black vest for J. for this one. 

Sixth grade is doing the Portena which as far as I can tell is a variation on the Cueca which is the national dance - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMMGXqmXmqY&feature=related  The Director of the elementary school who is the same size as Renee has offered her a dress and I have the handkerchief.  We'll see if she actually wears it next week ;-)

Apparently, especially the younger children all wear these outfits and perform the dances at barbecues on the actual independence day. More on that after we see it!