Saturday -October 17 -Visiting Lincoln

Yesterday, Sister Argyle asked us if we wanted to go to Austin's soccer game today. He is a junior in high school and is on the soccer team. We had previously talked about going sometime, and we were glad she remembered. They told us to "dress down" and be casual and the President would come to get us. It is a good fifteen minute drive from Acassuso to San Fernando in the opposite direction of the school where the game was to be held. I always feel guilty having them come this far to pick us up for things and we always offer to make our way to their house by remise or train. But this time he said he would come.

We weren't as casual as they were. Well, we didn't know what to expect. We have never seen the President in anything but a suit and tie. They were prepared with all kinds of sporting equipment to play with their kids and really unwind. He told us we couldn't take his picture and show it to the missionaries (ha)

Their children go to an international school called Lincoln. There are 47 embassies in Buenos Aires. So the children of those working at the embassies attend, plus mission president's families, and probably some others, but I can't remember all of them. It is really quite the set up. Out behind the campus which is fenced off and unseen from the road, are two big soccer fields. There are tennis courts, a big sand box, basketball court, and other sports related entities. Families can come there on a Saturday and just play whatever. It is a perfect get-a-way spot, from the busy, noisy streets and neighborhoods. It was great!

A soccer tournament was being held today. The high school team wasn't playing other high schools -- they were playing city leagues. So they lost the first two games, but handily won the third game. We enjoyed watching the games. They last one hour with no time outs or stopping the clock.

Austin is hungry and wants a hand out from mom to buy some food at the Kiosco that is in the school. It was so pleasant to sit and enjoy the sun and the view of the river (40 miles wide) that was on the other side of the fence.

It was fun to see President Argyle relax and have fun with his kids. In high school and college, he was a baseball player. He looks like a baseball player -- has the build for it. Seth was hitting every ball thrown at him.

Along the side of the campus soccer field was a walking path and bank of the river. In the distance, we could see the skyscrapers and buildings in the Capital. Many sail boats were on the water today.

The school campus includes Elementary school, Jr. High, and High School. Most teachers speak Engish and teach the subjects in English, but some are taught in Spanish. The Argyle kids can all speak and understand Spanish.

The campus is very locked down and secure. There are lots of guards and ID is shown to get in. The elementary children have to be picked up by persons designated by the parents. Brothers and sisters can get their siblings, but no one else can pick them up unless authorized by the parent. If a remise is to bring the children home, they have to have documentation from the family. We could have been asked for ID when we went through the gates, but since we were with the Argyles, and the guards knew them, they didn't bother with us.

This is the auditorium which is right by the Elementary School. There is an old mansion on the campus which has been made into classrooms. Sister Argyle teaches seminary in that building every other week at 6:30 or 7:00 a.m. (as if she doesn't have enough to do)

It was very interesting to visit the Lincoln school campus. We were glad for the opportunity to spend some time there.

We have no idea what these bushes are called, but they are all over and are just gorgeous. These were outside the school. They have red blossoms on them that look like delicate bottle brushes. I need to take a close up shot of them.

These look like bushes, but could be overgrown, unpruned trees. We have one outside our office, and it is definitely a tree.

Springtime in Argentina has a variety of flowering bushes and trees. It really is a pretty time of year.

After arriving home, we walked to a fruit market a few blocks away to get our favorite mandarinas. Then we listened to the BYU game over KSL on the computer. They beat San Diego by 10 points.