"P" day with the Elders

Saturday is "P" day for the office Elders, so they asked us if we wanted to spend the day with them. We readily agreed. We were wondering what we would do this weekend.

They took us to the old office that hasn't been completely cleaned out to see if there was anything there that we could use in our apartment. Most of furniture was large filing cabinets and conference room type tables and desks which would be way to big for our tiny apartment. We did take a little chest that looks like a night stand that could go by the side of our bed. At least it will give us one more drawer and a small cupboard like space for storage. We just wish we had one more closet for things like brooms, vacuum, mop bucket etc. These type of things just have to sit out wherever we can put them. It is so odd that they didn't plan for storage space like that for these apartments. Anyway, we did find a few odds and ends that we can use.

Then we took a drive down to the bay that is between Uruguay and Argentina. The water from the Atlantic Ocean forms this bay. From our balcony we can barely see some water over the tree tops out in the distance. We knew we were on waters edge, and have wanted to go there to see the boats and anything else of interest. There are many rivers and canals in that area that lead to the bay. This is where hundreds of boats are docked. In this area of San Fernando where we live, there are nautical businesses all over selling boats of all kinds, outboard motors, and anything dealing with sailing. Go figure!

Here are our handsome tour guides, Elders Valente and Clegg. They are the two that remained in the office with us and became new companions. Elder Valente speaks very little English. So we just smile a lot at each other. I will try to practice my Spanish on him and he tries his English with me.

This is one of the rivers that lead to the bay. Boats are docked all along the path.

Notice how brown the water is. It is filled with so much mud and silt.

More boats docked along the banks

A fine looking threesome

There are all types of boats here. . . . some small, large, old, new, and some with half naked girls on them. Rich wanted to zoom in on this one, but I wouldn't let him.

We made our way to the shore line. The water is still an ugly brown, but farther out it becomes blue (so says Google Earth) Many sail boats can be seen off in the distance.

We had a hard time finding a way to get to the actual bay. Visiting the rivers and canals was easy, but all the entry points to get to the bay were on private property. Many Nautical and Yacht Clubs barred the way. One gate to a private club was open and brave Elder Clegg drove right in. As we parked the car, a man approached us, and he just asked if we could go down to see the water. The man agreed, and we had to walk across a large lawn area through people eating and playing. There were lots of children playing soccer.

We asked permission to take a picture of this man preparing a barbeque.

Others around him stepped out of the way. It smelled really good. We suppose he was cooking some Argentine beef.

After our "field trip", we told the Elders we would treat them to lunch and they could pick anywhere they wanted to eat. Thinking they would pick a nice local color type spot that served authentic Argentine food, their choice was McDonald's. Well, we asked, didn't we. Down here, McDonald's is quite expensive. It is about $7 or $8 for a hamburger, fries, and drink. The missionaries can't afford to eat there. So we didn't argue, and they snarfed it down. Then they bought themselves a McFlurry and us a carmel sundae. It all tasted good.

Off to Coto (a grocery store) to stock up for the week, then they took us home. They just had enough time to write home on the internet at the office, then it would be 5:00 and "P" day would be over. They had teaching appointments lined up at night. It was an enjoyable day!