My First Chilean Luau

The first night that I arrived in Coelemu, I experienced my first "once." In Chile, the biggest meal of the day is lunch and dinner is called "once" which normally consists of some toast and avocado and some tea. After "once," my host sister Ivana got a call from a friend asking her to drop by a birthday party. I was still hungry after "once" and I was banking on some more food at this shindig. So the whole family jumped in the car and we drove to a small house a few blocks away. 

I was expecting a few people gathered in a room, eating cake. This "birthday party" was comparable to a wedding reception complete with streamers, balloons, a bar, cocktail umbrellas, chocolate fountains, music, dancing, and at least a hundred attendees...who all screamed and ran up to me when I entered. I was passed around the room to personally greet each and every guest with a "besito" (the Chilean greeting- a kiss on the cheek). The entire time, my host mother clutched my arm, beaming with pride. 

Everyone wanted to talk to me and take pictures with me and decorate me with streamers. Every two seconds I was asked if I needed another drink. An old man whose cheeks were bright red from one too many "banana mamas" even got me out on the dance floor- a rare feat. He introduced himself as Enrique and was very concerned that I would forget his name. I assured him that I would not because of the famous singer Enrique Iglesias. He was delighted and proceeded to serenade me with the entire catalog of Enrique Iglesias the rest of the night. Ay caramba.

And did I mention the food? There was tropical fruits in heaping platters and chocolate fondue and nuts and cheeses and pastries (and a random bowl of marshmallows). I was in heaven!! I ate and ate and ate some more. Then, the hostess of the party (who introduced herself as "La Reina Juevona," Chilean slang for "the Queen of Fun") steered me to the back yard. A pig roast. I kid you not. I tried one piece and it was all over. And Argentinian steak as well. The most amazing meats that I have ever had in my entire life. After a few minutes of gorging, my host mother pulled me aside with a concerned look on her face. She asked me if I was used to eating this much at night and told me she was concerned that I was going to have a stomachache. I told her politely that the food was too good to pass up and returned to the meat platters. 

When it was time to leave, my host family had to literally pry me from the grips of my enthused fan club. They wasted no time in asking when my birthday was and practically cried when they found out that they had "only SIX weeks to prepare!!" After we got home, my host mom sat me down at the kitchen table and brewed me a special tea so I wouldn't get a stomachache from over-eating. How embarrassing. That aside, I would say that my social debut in Coelemu was a social success. My only regret of the night was that I didn't bring my camera. For future reference, dropping by a "birthday party" in Chile will most definitely result in a picture-worthy event.