Fiestas Patrias, Chile
The "Fiestas Patrias" (Homeland Parties) or more colloquially known as "El Dieciocho" (the 18th) is a Chilean national holiday that is celebrated the 18th, the 19th and sometimes also the 17th and 20th of September (even though the average Chilean starts celebrating a week prior). We celebrate the freedom of Chile from Spain. We eat tons of Chilean foods and drink tons of Chilean alcohol and wine, go to a "fonda" (also called "ramada"; First image) which is usually an open venue that has folk music and stands selling food, drinks, and carnival games, grill food, dance "cueca" (second image) to folk music, and spend time with family. This holiday is so significant most jobs usually grant a week-long vacation and school is halted. Among my favorite foods to eat at a ramada are "Sopaipillas" (third image) accompanied with a nice cold "terremoto" which is a white Chilean wine (pipeño) mixed with pineapple ice cream and, in my case, a splash of grenadine.Outside of weekend walks towards the port for fresh fish, my most precious childhood memories in Chile take place in these fondas where I would often go with my mother alongside my "tata" (how I affectionately called my grandfather) and grandma. We would go early in the morning and play all the carnival games, eat all I wanted, and leave by nightfall only to do it all over again the next day. I left Chile at 12 and while there are occasional informal "ramadas" done by fellow immigrants, the same feeling is hard to replicate but still absolutely recommended for anyone looking to learn more about Chilean culture and its delicious cuisine.
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