How to survive the longest night of the year, Bolivian Style

What do people in developing countries with predominantly indigenous populations do to get through the winter (here) solstice? The shortest day of the year? Sometimes referred to (though I think they are off by a few degrees) as the coldest night of the year?

They barbeque.

Um, duh?

At least that’s what the local supermarket thinks. Consider the flyer that got placed in my grocery bag this week:

KETAL TIENE LOS MEJORES PRODUCTOS
PARA LA NOCHE MAS FRIO DEL AÑO.

So, Ketal, the supermarket, claims to have the best products for the coldest night of the year.

What are these great products that I must have to get me through the frozen night, you might ask? Well, let me tell you what items Ketal has on sale. For very special sale prices, you can buy the following items:

Combo 1 Extra: with 24 hot dog buns, 24 extra large hot dogs, ketchup, mayonnaise, napkins, and two 2L bottles of Coca Cola. (Combos 2-5 seem to contain similar items, except for 4, which throws in sauerkraut for the dogs)

Chorizo (spicy or mild) by the kilo.

Red wine

Singani, which is a grape based liquor that you generally mix with Sprite, so of course, the Pack Casa Real includes a bottle of Singani, a 2L bottle of Sprite, and a glass.

Oh, and you can also buy Marshmallows. And of course, charcoal.

Man, if only Ketal would consider having this sale in another week and a half and I would be set to celebrate the Fourth of July here.