I WISH ALL MY DEAR VISITORS AROUND THE WORLD:

Humita (Chilean traditional food)

This typical food is very popular in the Central zone of Chile, and likewise in other countries of South America. The humita is made of ground sweet corn wrapped in corn husks and steamed or boiled.  In the Chilean recipe, the mixture contains basil, chili pepper and some chopped onion. The humita  is a bow tie -shaped mixture. The humitas usually go with some tomato salad.

WHAT DOES DEFINE CHILE? (ICONS)

WHAT DOES DEFINE CHILE? (TEXT)

Official name of the country:  República de Chile.

Geographical location: (South) American Continent; Chile is between the Andes Mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east and the Drake Passage in the far south.

Features: Long and narrow (over 4, 200 kms long)

Capital city:  Santiago de Chile

Nature:  (Flowered) Desert, Valleys, Mountains, Lakes, Countryside, Seaside, Forests, Islands, Glaciers, Rivers... 

National language: (Chilean) Spanish. Ethnic groups: Mapuches, Aymaras, Quechuas, Kawéskar, Pehuenches.

National flower:  Copihue (Lapageria Rosae)

National dance:  Cueca

Most popular comic magazine:  "Condorito"   (regarding to Cóndor)

Flag description: Two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; a blue square that bears a star in the centre. It's located at the hoist-side end of the white band. The star represents a guide to progress and honor; blue represents the sky; white is for the snow-covered Andes and red represents the blood spilled to achieve Independence. Adopted: October 18th, 1817. 

Coat of arms:  A shield divided into 2 equal parts: at the top one is blue and the bottom one is red with a white star in the centre.  The crest of the shield has 3 feathers: blue, white, and red.
The shield has two emblematic animals at both sides: a Condor (The most significant bird of prey from the Andes) and the Huemul (a kind of deer). Both animals have in their heads a navy's golden crown. It symbolizes the heroic deeds of the  Chilean Navy in the Pacific Ocean. Its motto is "Por la razón o la fuerza" (Engl. transl. "By reason or by force").  Adopted: June 26th, 1834.

Currency: Peso Chileno (Chilean Peso) - CLP

POPULAR CHILEAN LIQUOR: COLA DE MONO

According to what a legend says, the Chilean President, Manuel Montt (1st Gov.: 1851-1856; 2nd Gov.: 1856-1861) whose nickname was  "Mono Montt " called by his close friends. He used to drink milk with liquor and some coffee. When M. Montt got drunk, he started to shoot his "Colt" firearm. Later, the liquor became denominated as "Colt de Montt". Throughout the years, its name changed into "Cola de Mono".

This famous and popular Chilean liquor is preferentially drunk at Christmas season. It's made of milk, coffee, liquor, cinnamon sticks, some nutmeg, water, sugar and vanilla extract. Then the ingredients are mixed in a blender.

GREETINGS TO MY DEAR VISITORS AROUND THE WORLD :)

I wish all my visitors around the world, a wonderful Christmas Eve, a Merry Christmas and a wonderful coming New Year 2014; filled with peace, love, blessings and hope. From Chile, I sent you all a warm hug and good vibes...

The Minga: An Ancestral Tradition Of The Chiloé Island (Southern Chile)

This tradition, unique in the world, the Minga is an ancient tradition that starts in the summer. It's a community work that has existed on the Chiloé Island throughout generations. The most known tradition is the house dragging. It consists of moving a house or a church (made of wooden ridge tiles) from one place to another. It can be dragged by land, using oxen and a platform on the base of the building with huge logs. Also, the house / church can be dragged by sea using boats. All people of the island take part in this event. After finishing the house dragging, the hosts of this event prepare a feast with typical food (curanto, apple  hard cider, barbecue, etc.) and some dance.

BUSCO

Te busco en mis sueños
En el universo paralelo
Que nos une y nos separa.

Te busco en los caminos
Donde dejaste tu huella,
Busco la luz de tus ojos
En esa fugaz estrella,
Que recorre el cielo
Y la tierra que nos ampara.

Busco el beso que guarda tus labios,
Busco ese dulce tesoro
Como pirata que busca el oro
Te busco sobre todos los deseos.

Te busco por los mares, por tierras extrañas,
En los lugares desconocidos;
En los valles y en las islas
Pues yo te amo por sobre todas las riquezas.

Te busco, te busco mi amor
Sin encontrarte, es mi amargo dolor;
Te busco, te busco aquí y en la eternidad,
En la Luz y en la oscuridad,
Te busco, te busco mi amor.