18th of September & el T-E-R-R-E-M-O-T-O! (Earthquake)

For about a month, it has been a common conversational topic, the grand fiesta of Chile on the 18th of September! Just last weekend, I went out to experience what no one should miss before leaving Santiago, to drink the infamous Terremoto (in English, "earthquake"), which apparently is super popular during this week of celebration! La Piojera and El Hoyo are two popular places that serve this national drink.

La Piojera, received its name by a Chilean President who called it Piojera (in English "a place of lice") as he was not very found of it, and so it became known as just that. It lies right next to the metro stop, Cal y Canto. It offers really hearty and tasty Chilean "home cooking", and the notorious Terremoto in the bar. When we were in the middle of enjoying our meals when an older gentleman entered the salon with his guitar and started to play the cueca. After a song or two, people stood up from their tables to join the music in the traditional dance! - Veery neat!

What happened after my first Terremoto yet makes me laugh out loud. The Chilean people I have gotten to know, perhaps more calm, reserved, and careful than their neighbours Argentina, were mostly unable to walk straight, many being led out (or carried), and the majority at a noticeable level of intoxication! My friends told me it is usually not this roudy, but then again, the 18th is just around the corner.

In the end, the majority was happily enjoying their Terremotos, despite what seemed to have been a big earthquake.

There were tables filled with empty cups of El Terremoto

So, this is what happened the weekend before the 18th, Im expecting nothing less on THE day! ;)

Lets bring on the big celebration Chile!

Chi-Chi-Chi Le-Le-Le  Vamo Chile!!






If you are interested, please read more about famous La Piojera and its competition El Hoyo, follow the link:
http://bearshapedsphere.blogspot.com/2010/08/el-hoyo-vs-la-piojera-two-traditional.html