The 18th of September is still my favorite Chilean holiday. This year, I spent the two day celebration with Jonathan and his family. These two girls are dressed in the traditional style, for dancing the cueca. The girl on the right is holding a beef empanada. Delicious!
Jonathan and I had a great time, as I got to know his family and their friends a bit more. I did feel a bit "grilled" in many moments of the day, but there were many laughs.
The 18th is known for the start of BBQ season. You clean the grill with an onion, which adds flavor. The meet is generally prepared using only salt, occasionally other spices, and it is definitely worth the wait!
Of course, they made me dance! After the meal, there was a "show" of sorts, put on by a father and his son. A comedy routine. During it, they called on some volunteers to dance. I, of course, was the first picked! This is supposed to be the typical dance of the Rapa Nui, the people of the Isla de Pascua (Easter Island), of the Pacific.
This is day 2 empanadas. Made outside over coals in a metal drum. It was quite a process, and also, well worth the wait. Day 2, I thought we would eat less...sadly, we ate MORE! I ate 4 empanadas in 2 days, and 2 BBQs. And there is NEVER just one kind of meat.
