Paula was really patient with us and we managed to chat through the day and learn new words. Masiel is your typical excitable 8-year-old and speaks really quickly, so she was really hard to understand (we did catch that she has a dog who is 21 in dog years). Later in the day when she realised I wasn't really understanding much of what she said, she tried to teach me Spanish words, such as 'flora' for flower, when we were picking daisies to make daisy chains (and Paul's earring)
The event itself involved a lot of people speaking Spanish on stage and awards being handed out (including one for Mario's dad, Mario Snr, which Paul later pretended to win)
There was also some impressive singing (and some cringeworthy...)
Oh, and a presidential candidate dropped by to give a speech (Marco Enrique-Ominami)
Some of the speakers were really important radio people and Paula said it was weird seeing their faces having only ever heard their voices. There was also a famous voiceover dude who dubs for Hollywood actors for Universal Studios in Chile. No idea which one he was. I half-wished I was Chilean so I could appreciate all the talent!
One of Mario's friends, Jonathan who's a mime artist, went around entertaining the punters too.
And there was food!
Steak AND chicken with potatoes and avocado & tomato salad)
Mote con huesillos - less sweet and with a more fermented taste than the one we had on San Cristobal Hill. Paul preferred it.
And then 2 hours after steak and chicken, there was more food!
After that, there was dancing! We danced with Mario's parents - they are so much fun! These are photos that Mario took for the union's Facebook page:
There are loads more photos at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1418528955027856.1073741830.1405231696357582&type=1 including one of Paul on which someone has commented "Brad Pitt?" LOL!
The event ended shortly after our dancing! Mario drove me, Paul and his mum & dad to nearby Maipu - his mum with a full bottle of red under her arm. At the gate to their house, it took her so long to find her keys that we all cheered when they finally got it open! It was wicked meeting Mario's family. They were typical of the reception we've received here so far - very warm and welcoming and genuinely pleased to meet us.
Paul and I got the metro back from Maipu. Outside our metro station, there's a square (Plaza de Armas) where people were playing speed chess. Apparently you're not meant to giggle even if you find their speed hilarious.
