MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile ready for four days of celebrations

Saturday kicks off four days of “Fiestas Patrias” celebrations as the entire Chilean nation celebrates its Declaration of Independence from Spain, nearly two centuries ago.

Most work will come to a grinding halt late Friday, as thousands prepare for a quick exit to coastal or mountain retreats, or a fun-filled weekend of dance and music at the hundreds of ?fondas' that will dot city and rural landscapes these next four days.

Transit authorities expect some 210,000 vehicles to exit the greater Santiago Metropolitan area late Friday and Saturday. Santiago residents leave the city in quest of a more rural kind of experience, seeking quality time with family and friends.

Chileans will spend an expected 110 million US dollars during this especially long Fiestas Patrias weekend, which will officially come to a close on Tuesday, the actual anniversary of Chile's independence. Most businesses acknowledge that Wednesday will be slow work day, as Chileans shake off the effects of four days of extended partying.

According to the Santiago Chamber of Commerce, the average family will spend 33% more this week than in a regular week, much of it going to food and drink. A traditional menu consisting of an empanada, a kebab, and a glass of chichi liquor will cost between 4 and 8.50 US dollars at most celebration venues.

Empanadas were recently voted the national dish by viewers of the show "Chile Elige." Anthropologist Sonia Montecino considers the empanada to be significant in gendered terms, arguing that the empanada represents the female while the meat inside represents the male. For those who prefer a vegetarian option, meatless empanadas are available from El Café La Folie in Barrio Brasil, Santiago.

In anticipation of the hundreds of fondas that will be serving grilled meat, the nation's health service has been inspecting hygiene conditions at both the fondas and at meat packing plants. More than 370 inspections occurred in the Metropolitan Region, with authorities issuing 85 health warnings and confiscating 1,410 kilos of meat and 101 kilos of sausage.

For those unable to escape the urban smog, there will be a wide choice of open air festivals throughout Santiago. Providencia Mayor Christian Labbe promised that his borough's celebrations in Parque Ines de Suarez will be a wholly Chilean affair: "There won't be anything alien to Chilean customs and traditions," said Labbe. The official venue in Parque O'Higgins, La Gandiosa Bertita, will host a commencement celebration and is a favorite location for city officials.

Many leaving Santiago will be heading to Region V ? the most popular destination for Santiaguinos - which will receive upwards of 43,000 vehicles this weekend.

The Argentine city of Mendoza expects another 25,000 visitors from Chile, and hotels there report 75 to 80 percent of their rooms are already booked. Visitors can expect to pay between 22.30 and 167.50 US dollars per night.

The exodus has provoked fears of traffic congestion during rush hours, most especially in the borough of Las Condes, where construction is interrupting the intersection of Apoquindo and Manquehue Avenues. Many employees will not have work on Friday afternoon in order to leave the capital that same evening, easing traffic jams on Saturday. There will also be greater police presence on major roads and in bus stations to maximize safety.

By Beatrice Karol Burks (editor@santiagotimes.cl)