Chileans love freedom. 200 years ago, Chile won her freedom. 500 years ago, Lautaro, a young Araucanian man, led his people to freedom. The Araucanian are the only Indian tribe on the American continent that forced Spain (1641), and Chile (1825) to recognize, and respect, their territory. They are free men and free women. It is this inheritance that has stood by Chile in her darkest hours. Across the centuries of recorded time, Chile is undefeated on the field of battle.
I Love Chile. If you love Chile, as I do, you must love its national dance, “La Cueca”. It is the heart, the mind, the body, and the soul of cultural expression. Dance Cueca, and you will know what it is like to be Chilean. Dance Cueca, and find yourself in communion with O’Higgins, Prat, Cochrane, Lautaro, Colo Colo, and Caupolican. You have invoked the invincible Chilean spirit. Find yourself bathed in the clear waters of Rio Claro. Find yourself on the northern border of the Bio Bio River, and feel yourself transported back in time. I Love Chile and its indomitable spirit. I Love Chile. I have tried to refrain from hyperbole, to purposely "understate" the beauty, the history, the cultural traditions that make Chile the great, freedom-loving nation that she is today. As I have done with my own family, I believe it is enough for you just to be here. The spirit of Chile is all around you. As in the case of Lucy Ana Avilés, even if you leave Chile, Chile will never leave you. Far, far away, in Colorado, Lucy saw her beloved Chile literally burning. The people were losing everything, their homes, their livelihoods, even their very lives. Lucy did not hesitate to reach out a helping hand to her beloved Chile. Lucy is Chile, and Chile is Lucy. Dear Reader, I invite you to read this book, and discover the Chile I love with all my heart and soul...
I Love Chile. If you love Chile, as I do, you must love its national dance, “La Cueca”. It is the heart, the mind, the body, and the soul of cultural expression. Dance Cueca, and you will know what it is like to be Chilean. Dance Cueca, and find yourself in communion with O’Higgins, Prat, Cochrane, Lautaro, Colo Colo, and Caupolican. You have invoked the invincible Chilean spirit. Find yourself bathed in the clear waters of Rio Claro. Find yourself on the northern border of the Bio Bio River, and feel yourself transported back in time. I Love Chile and its indomitable spirit. I Love Chile. I have tried to refrain from hyperbole, to purposely "understate" the beauty, the history, the cultural traditions that make Chile the great, freedom-loving nation that she is today. As I have done with my own family, I believe it is enough for you just to be here. The spirit of Chile is all around you. As in the case of Lucy Ana Avilés, even if you leave Chile, Chile will never leave you. Far, far away, in Colorado, Lucy saw her beloved Chile literally burning. The people were losing everything, their homes, their livelihoods, even their very lives. Lucy did not hesitate to reach out a helping hand to her beloved Chile. Lucy is Chile, and Chile is Lucy. Dear Reader, I invite you to read this book, and discover the Chile I love with all my heart and soul...
