Actual independence wasn't gained until 1821 or 1826, depending on how you look at it. 1821 marks the year the dastardly Spaniards were kicked off the mainland. And 1826 was when they finally surrendered the (quite lovely) Chiloe. Chile actually declared independence in 1812, something which was finally recognised by Spain in 1840. Despite Bernard O'Higgins and San Martin getting all the the plaudits for gaining Chilean independence, the true hero was a fun-lovin' Scotsman called Thomas Cochrane. Without his crazy exploits, there is no way in hell that Chile would have even come close to beating Spain. Venerated in Valparaiso and by the Chilean Navy, Cochrane doesn't get his due from the general populace when it comes to Chilean heroes. You can read all about him over on Corrugated City (and it's a really fantastic story so I'd recommend the read).
Anyway, the 18th is the biggest party of the year. And when I say 'party', I mean excuse for everyone to get drunk and crash their cars into other people for an entire week. It also means dancing the Cueca, Chilean Rodeo (the country's most popular sport after footy), asados and fondas/ramadas which are kind of like country fetes in England but where the stalls that aren't selling chicha or asado are flogging cheap Chinese Hello Kitty rip-offs. Very traditional. Still, they're very entertaining, even for someone who doesn't really care all that much about the significance of the date.
Apart from the drink-driving, there's another negative about the 18th. The societal pressure to spend money is so great that banks take advantage to get their customers further into debt and crime rates go up as people steal to pay for their parties (the alchohol consumption doesn't help). In Valpo last year, this flyer was sent to every house:
It says:
1. If you're driving, don't drink alcohol.
2. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
3. Eat food and drink alcohol in licenced places.
4. Don't park your car in public places that are dark and don't have security. Remember not to leave valuable objects on view.
5. If you leave your house or apartment, make sure you securely close all doors and windows and leave somebody trustworthy in charge of your property.
2. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
3. Eat food and drink alcohol in licenced places.
4. Don't park your car in public places that are dark and don't have security. Remember not to leave valuable objects on view.
5. If you leave your house or apartment, make sure you securely close all doors and windows and leave somebody trustworthy in charge of your property.
It's kind of sad that this had to be sent out specifically for a date when everyone should be having fun and celebrating.
Still, here in Santa Cruz things are much more relaxed and chilled out. The crime rate here is significantly lower than in other urban areas and the people are really quite friendly. Santa Cruz is famous for being really, really 'Chilean' and I was looking forward very much to having a great time during the fiestas patrias. Unfortunately, symptoms of the Lyme disease and Human Ehrlichiosis (x2) that I picked up from multiple tick bites from a trip to the Hamptons in July have returned and I'm feeling really, really crappy. I thought I was better as I had almost 6 weeks symptom free, but no... Crippling joint pain, muscle aches, confusion, headaches, chronic tiredness and brain fog are not really conducive to having fun. And the drugs I'm on mean I can't touch a drop of alchohol for at least another 6 weeks anyway. Damn. I live in the centre of red wine production in Chile and I can't drink...
Anyway, I hope that everyone else in Chile has a fantastic, fun-filled and safe 18!
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