Week Nine September 14 - 20, 2008

UTEP-UMCE News – Dr. Bill Robertson, Fulbright Scholar, UTEP Assistant Professor

Week Nine September 14 - 20, 2008

The following is a summary of the activities that I have been engaged in during the week of September 14 - 20 as they relate to the work I am doing here at UMCE as part of my Fulbright Scholarship.

Physics Project in El Mercurio

On Sunday, September 14 I was in the Education section of the Mercurio, the oldest newspaper in Santiago and was featured for my work in the local schools, along with Prof. Claudio Perez.
The article can be accessed online here:

http://www.mer.cl/modulos/catalogo/Paginas/2008/09/14/MERSTVS025AA1409.htm

Fiestas Patrias – National Holidays

This week, the classes were suspended for students, professors and staff as a break for celebrations of national independence (fiestas patrias), that happened on September 18 and 19, 2008. It was really like spring break in September, a unique experience for me.
The 18th and 19th of September are marked as such to commemorate the independence of Chile from Spain, and although there is some dispute as to whether it happened for real in 1808 or 1810 (actual independence came in April of 1818), there is no debate on the days themselves. Chileans circle these days in red on their calendars in the beginning of the year and plan their festive times to come filled with the national dance, la cueca, grilled meats (asados) on open flames, a flavorful wine-sangria type drink (chachi) served in a horn, and of course, the ever-present and flavorful empanada.

Many people celebrate the days with family and friends; others diverge on Parque O’Higgins in Santiago for the national parade, some head to the shore, some to the mountains, some even head out of town to Buenos Aires. Whatever the plan, it includes getting ready to party and to celebrate the national days of independence, to kick off the cold of winter and embrace the coming of spring, and to acknowledge the identity and unity of an entire nation.