A New Find - Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010

Yesterday's entry ended with the hope that all the rain water would not end up in some missionary's apartment. It turns out that at least one apartment was slightly flooded with the overnight rain -- OURS! And we are five stories up!!!! But the same thing happened as last time when water entered our apartment. The wind must have blown the water towards our balcony and forced it under our sliding glass doors. It wasn't as bad as last time, because Silvio had done something to seal the bottom better. But our red area carpet in the middle of our floor was wet on the edge, as was the throw rug right by the door. The curtains were water marked again, but that's all. It must have rained all night.

Today was cloudy, but the temperature was 85 degrees with high humidity. It never did rain again, however.

We tried to clean things up a bit with plans to go looking for a tub mat and a new umbrella for Rich. A cheapy he bought last October for around $2.50 is trashed. It had to go. But we can't be without two umbrellas, so that was high on our priority list today.

We left the apartment at around 11:30 and hopped on the train to go to San Isidro to a great kitchen and bathroom store that we knew would have what we wanted in a bath mat. But it was closed for vacations and has been for most of January. We thought for sure it would be open by the first of February. No such luck. So we walked up and down a couple streets to see what was there, and ran into a backpack, handbag, umbrella store. They had really nice and sturdy umbrellas, so we were thrilled with that purchase. If mine breaks, I know where to go.

In coming back to San Fernando, we went searching for a fruit and vegetable market that Sister Bolentini told us about. She said it was right by the train station. It wasn't directly in our path as we walk away from the station -- we had to make one turn. We were shocked upon finding it!!! It was a big place with piles of fruit and vegetables on display. It was like a warehouse and most of the food was "as is" meaning the potatoes looked like they had just been dug out of the ground covered with dirt and mud. Nothing was washed and artistically arranged like in some produce areas in the states.

It, evidently, is the place to shop because people were coming and going all over the place. We met some ladies from the San Fernando ward (one whom we are eating dinner with tomorrow) and they told us that it is a popular place because it is inexpensive, the produce is fresh, and you can pick out what you want - ripe or not so ripe. In most mom and pop stands around here, you take a number and a worker comes to help put the things in a bag. It isn't help yourself type shopping. But this place is. We bought several things and will return in the future. We couldn't believe we have been here almost a year and are just learning about this place, and so close to home.

By the time we got home about two hours from the time we left, we were hot, sticky, and wet from perspiration. The humidity today was noticeable.

Part of the Kroff clan were getting together this weekend in St. George for a little sibling reunion, and plans were made to call us on skype when they all got together. Bob, Dave, Paul, and Joel with wives called us at 4:00 from Bob's home. They positioned the computer so we could see everyone sitting around and we had a nice visit with them. It was fun to be a part of the gathering, if only for an hour. All are doing well.

We ended our chat in time to change clothes and go to the church to attend a baptism of a father and son in the Virreyes branch. We don't know the people, but Elders Davis and Smith invited us during a conversation they had with Elder Kroff yesterday. We always try to support the missionaries if we know about their baptisms.

We were going to be to the church anyway at 7:00 to attend a Branch Family Home Evening that our office elders, Elders Coria and Hales had arranged with Elders Davis and Smith. Both set of elders work with the Virreyes branch. They presented a lesson on unity, and then played a game afterwards that involved the members being unified in order to win. It was fun, and although the turn out was a little disappointing for them, all had a good time.

We arrived home at 9:00 making it a late start in getting this journal entry posted, but I am used to late nights. At least it is not raining.