Christmas in Chile

So I have just finished the christmas experience in Chile man oh man was I tired. (So I actually had to sleep before writing this because I was sooooooooo extremely tired. Read on and you will know why.)

So at this house we start the festivities on Christmas Eve. There is a huge dinner and we eat and talk and enjoy one anothers company. I thought in my mind great dinner! HOwever this dinner is at the time when the vampires come out to play because we sat down at the table at 11:00 p.m. at night. (one of the reasons why I was very tired)

The guests for dinner including me and one of Barbara´s (the older sister) friends Patricio who is a very important political scientist. He teaches at NYU half the year and than in Chile for the other half, he writes for a periodical too and I am sure a lot of other stuff also. It was pretty amazing to have such an important person at the Christmas table.

Table conversation was very interesting since we had the political scientist for dinner ("No speaking of politics at the table" rule went out the window last night). Number one because in Chile they speak uber fast and it is very hard to keep up. Second because he was talking about American politics a lot. Thus it was easier for me to stay in the conversation. (Now when I say "stay" in the conversation I mean listening. I hardly speak when they are rattling off because once I understand what they are saying and translate my comment they are already on a new topic. Chile is where they speak the fastest spanish.) All in all I enjoyed my dinner conversation immensely.

For dinner we had: Asparagus, Peas, Corn, Turkey (not the vegetarian friendly type), Potato balls (very delicious), Salad, Ranch Dressing, Palmitos, Apple Sauce (usually used for the turkey, but I put it on my potato balls and I think I have a new favorite combination-potatoes and applesauce. Try it.). Than for desert we had an ice cream cake type thing, christmas cookies (made by me and Pink), Pan de Pasquas (Panitoni bread) and hot chocolate. This feast ended at 1:00 a.m. You read right. ONE A.M. (second reason why I was uber tired)

However the night went on.

The father and Barbara took the other guest home and I went on the computer to skype my family. Who just basically hung up on me because they were having a Christmas Eve party and to busy to talk to their daughter who is in another continent in a foreign speaking country, without any family or anyone. BOO-HOO-HOO. (If you haven´t noticed I am putting on the guilt trip and to fix this pain that you guys have caused you can deposit more money in my account. thanks much appreciated =p )

Barbara and Tio Ewaldo (that is what I call him) got back around 2:20 a.m. and we opened gifts. I was so surprised too. THis family who has graciously opened their home to me also got me stuff. It was soooooooooooooo nice. I am so blessed to have such a loving family to stay with. THye gave me some jammies, nice lotion, some pilates pants (the mother is a pilates instructor) and a fun beach towel. It was so nice of them. I got them all bath sets (you know the ones with bubble bath, shampoo, conditioner, scrubies and bath salts.) It was a fabulous christmas. We finished all these activities at 3 something a.m.

At four a.m.I went to bed. I was so tired. I woke up at 11 a.m.

It was a great chilean christmas. How I loved it, but now i need to take a nap.


FELIZ NAVIDAD!