Desfile Fotos and the National Hymn

Another time for a little Chilean education for my friends and family back in the States! This past Monday I sang to songs with the other profes at Cerro Moreno as a "thank-you" to the students in light of the school's aniversario and Dia de Alumnos ("Students Day"). We sang "De Cara Al Viento" (The Face of the Wind) and "La Copucha" (my Spanish dictionary translates it to "The Hood" but its seems more like an explosive.... it goes BUM! in the song). I've also been attempting to memorize the hymno nacional de Chile as we've sung it several times since coming here. As access to wireless internet makes my connection to you and lesson planning that much easier, I have a link to a website where you can hear the vocals and instrumental parts of the national hymn:
www.joeskitchen.com/chile/facts/chile-himno.mp3
And, for my non-Spanish speaking friends and family and in part because I don't know how to write accents or tildes on my blog, I have the translation of the hymn (thanks Wikipedia!) for your viewing pleasure:
Pure, Chile, is your blue sky
Pure breezes flow across you as well
And your flower-embroidered field
Is a happy copy of Eden.
Majestic is the snow-capped mountain
That was given as a bastion by the Lord (repeat once)
And the sea that quietly washes your shores
Promises you future splendor (repeat last two lines twice)
(Chorus)
Sweet fatherland, accept the vows
That were given by Chile at your altars:
Either you be the tomb of the free
Or the refuge against oppression (repeat last two lines twice)

Or the refuge against oppression (repeat 3x)

I also have a copy of my school's song, but I don't know the tune! Here's a couple pictures from the march (ie. parade) that happened on Friday morning in Antofagasta. A couple schools from the city marched for two blocks along the streets in honor of the Battle of Iquique (May 21st). Chile actually lost the naval battle, but we celebrate it anyway by having a 3 day weekend! I also went to my school's fundraising event Friday night, Kermesses. I tried vino negavado, red wine heated with clovers and orange peel. Students (or their parents) also prepared brochetas (shishkabobs or as my friend's host mom says "meat sticks"). They also had completos (hot dogs dressed with mayo, avocado, ketchup, and diced tomatoes), mini pizzas, tacos, empanadas filled with cheese, and cakes---kuchen, a German tart similar to apple pie, is very popular here. The most memorable part of the night is when I danced to reggeton with the students and teachers, and the students suggested I bump and grind with the music teacher, a charming man twice my age! I politely declined. Just as one of my students was upset her parents were watching her dance (she was less inclined to bump and grind with her male friends due to this) I felt a little awkward dancing in front of my students. However, even the 5 year olds have a rhythm in their step better than most kids twice their age have in the States (sorry to say!) We're starting a new unit for all the classes in English and I hope to teach them about recycling and practice present and future tense verbs. Oh! And I'm giving my teachers a recipe for one of my mom's favorite cakes, Better Than Sex. (she's got the recipe if you're interested) I must re-write it in spanish for my teachers and perhaps I'll make the cake so they can attest whether it lives up to it's name!