Enjoying the Culture 165At an asado, Chileans feast on lots of red meat, accompanied
by an assortment of fresh salads. Later that night, many may
choose to visit the fondas.
Fondas are fairs set up all over the country in the weeks
preceding 18 September. Many tents serve food including
empanadas (meat or cheese filled turnovers), anticuchos (shish
kebabs), carne asada (grilled beef and pork) and drinks, such
as chicha (fermented grape punch) and pisco (grape brandy).
Larger tents at the fonda feature live music and dancing. Folk
music makes a strong appearance and everyone seems to
be dancing the cueca.
Cueca
Cueca is the national dance of Chile. You can recognise a
cueca by the handkerchiefs that are elaborately waved above
the couple’s heads. The characteristics of the dance depend
on the region, but generally the couple face each other and
dance back and forth and around each other while waving the
handkerchief. Cueca is usually accompanied by a guitar, and