Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Dale and Connie are on their way home. What a wonderful 11 days we have had with them.

How can 11 days fly by so quickly?!
In a nutshell...
Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009 - Day 1
Dale & Connie arrived this morning. After stopping to see the temple driving in from the airport (I left my camera at home, so no photos), we went to Sacrament Meeting, had Sunday dinner, and after some rest time, we drove an hour to the "Noche de Luz"
"Silent Night" a wonderful Christmas musical program with video and slides and narration
by a 20-missionary choir, plus violionist and other instruments played by missionaries from the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission.
(We arrived 30 minutes early and almost didn't get a seat. The 8 performances--each Sat/Sun evenings in December before Christmas--plus some Thursdays, were filled to overflowing.
(A missionary could only come if they brought investigators.
The investigators had reserved seating in the front rows.)
Dec. 21 - Monday - Day 2
We're on our way to Iguazu Falls.
Dale and Connie sat behind us on the cama bus.
Tuesday, Dec. 22 - Day 3
We rendezvoused with the other Sr. Missionary Couples for dinner at Hotel Carmen in Iguazu.
Our 16 and 1/2 hour bus ride was delayed an additional 5 hours when mate farmers were protesting a new tax on their crop. They built a bonfire in the road and stopped all traffic from 10:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m., so by the time we got to the town of Iguazu at 5pm, the gates into see Iguazu Falls had closed for the day.
Many of the first group who had arrived on an earlier bus and spent the day at the Falls got really sunburned. We put on extra sunblock the next day when we went to the Falls.
Dec. 23 - Wednesday, Day 4
Iguazu Falls - 700 miles from Buenos Aires
Thursday, Dec. 24 ~ Day 5
Christmas Eve was with Elder y Hna. Bowen, our area president and wife.
Dale & Connie took photos of the Sr. Missionary Couples at the Christmas Eve Dinner and Program with our Area President and his wife and daughter: Center front: Elder & Hermana Bowen, and their youngest daughter, Devyn.Christmas Day - Friday, Dec. 25 - Day 6
Yes, Santa finds the good boys and girls no matter where they go in the world, and no matter what age~! One of the things we did on Christmas day...go to the Casa Rosada.

Saturday - Dec. 26 - Day 7
Traveled by car, subway, taxi, and bus... At Recoleta and Evita's tomb...this is only photo I took.
Walt didn't know if he would be pickpocketed again on the subway.
He had put his wallet in his sock.
Subway to Florida Street but city bus tour was sold out... Sunday, Dec. 27 - Day 8 - Church at Liniers


Monday - Dec. 28 - Day 9
We tried for the city bus tour Saturday, but the tickets were sold out for 3 hours ahead, so we went early Monday morning and got right on. CityBus Tour with headphones for the narration in English.
Family Home Evening with the Sr. Missionary Couples was at Bartons who gave a lesson on "change as a daily improvement" versus a bunch of New Year's Resolutions that go by the wayside.Tuesday - Dec. 29 - Day 10 - Had a tender experience when we went to see Hermina Silva de Avila, the widow of the branch president and counselor in the misson presidency, in Dale's first area of his 1959-1962 mission to Argentina.
(I left my camera in the car...then a cloudburst kept me from getting it--so no photos.)
That night Dale & Connie packed, and we packed some things in the space they had left.
Did I think to get a photo in the hub bub of trying to make sure each suitcase didn't weigh over 50 lbs? No!
Wednesday - Dec. 30- Day 11 - Last day and a second trip to LaBoca (sound familiar Janie, Daniel, Katie, and Heidi?) for souvenirs for family and empty nester friends.
Then a dash back to the apartment, a quick lunch, picking up the big Church van to fit the four suitcases and two carryons in.
Off to the airport....and they're on their way.
WHAT A WONDERFUL TIME WE HAVE HAD WITH
OUR DEAR BROTHER DALE AND HIS SWEET WIFE, CONNIE.
We thank their children for sharing them with us for this Christmas season.
We will be relieved to know they are back home in Twin Falls, Idaho, safe and sound after the failed terrorist bomb threat on Christmas Day in the United States.
Family & Friends are forever!

2 comments:

Janiece said...

So much to do and see in so very short of a time. It looks as if you had an amazing time!
I can not wait to make the trip back down to see Kira and her new family.

Wishing you only the very best this New Year

Nat said...

what a great time it looks like you had together. so glad you had so many days to do fun things. just hold your breath and before you know it you will be back in idaho! yeah!