TERREMOTO!

Terremoto is Spanish for earthquake.  Terremotos happen here in Chile in two ways: First, there is the traditional earthquake where the earth shakes and you feel weird.  The second kind of terremoto is a drink, and after one, you are a little shaky on your feet, just like in a traditional terremoto. 

A terremoto is made with some special kind of fermented white wine and pineapple ice cream.  It sounds horribly sweet because they are.  And frankly, they are kind of gross until the ice cream melts a bit and you can mix it all up.  Then it's not so bad. 

Terremoto!

Normally, after a terremoto, one would order a replica (Spanish for aftershock) for the second round and call it a night.  A replica (one half liter) is half the size of a terremoto.  If you have more than one terremoto, be prepared for it to measure pretty high up on the Richter scale- I would say one would put you at a 4, at least. 

Neither Jemma nor I had tried one of these über-famous Chilean drinks, so we decided that for her going away/start of my birthday (she left on my birthday!) we had to have the terremoto experience (specifically at La Piojera, the place in all the guide books, and by recommendation by one of my students as a typically Chilean place to go for my birthday).  On the evening of January 5th, we headed out for our terremoto experience.  And experience it was.  We got to feel the shaky ground after our first drinks, and there was a great pan flute player that was dying for our attention.  (We sat down at a table because some people also wanted to eat, so the flute player kept getting kicked out by the waiter.  He kept coming back though, saying all sorts of crazy things to us.)  He even professed his love to us, and when he tried to kiss me on the cheek to tell me good bye, I just gave him the peace sign and a smile.

Currently listening to: OK Go. Daytrotter had some great free downloads last week.  That's mostly what I have been listening to the past few days.