Cueca dancing at the Barrio (ward)

September 11 is the biggest holiday in Chile. It is their Independence Day. It is a grand celebration, starting the week before with a celebration at the church meeting house followed with a beautiful catered lunch at work, with speeches, singing of the national song, cueca (kway-kuh) dancing (the national dance), and lots of music everywhere; singing with accordians, guitars, drums and primitive resonating music boxes we'd never seen before. Everywhere there were decorations in the street, beautiful food, fairs, pageants and rodeos. The week before the celebration is a re-enactment of the "coup". It's best just to stay inside that night, because it is not pleasant with a lot of looting, etc. But the following weekend is the most wonderful celebration. Friday morning begins with a great military parade and cueca dancing in the street.
You better sure you bought all your groceries the day before, at 4:30pm everything closes to make ready for a full day of celebration.