Play Day - Saturday, June 19, 2010

We had a couple options of things to do today and had to find out first from Rocio and Ezequiel Garcia and her mother, Mabel Bustos, if a trip to the Temaikén Zoo was on for today. We have had tentative plans to go there with that family, but in calling them about it last night, Mabel, who seems to be the one planning the outing, has a cold and she thought rain was in the forecast also, so we have postponed the outing for a better day.

So we were free to join our senior couple friends for a Father's Day lunch at California Burrito downtown in the Capital. Then, we are having movie night at the Fuquas at 7:00 p.m. We decided that we would drive the President's car to the Capital and park it in the secured parking at the Area Offices which is just a block from the Fuquas apartment. That way we wouldn't have to take the bus and train home tonight after the movie. That would be so nice!!

We got ourselves ready for the day and did some Saturday morning cleanup before leaving at about 11:30. As always is the case, we are insecure when taking the autopista to Bonpland. We just aren't sure exactly which General Paz exit to take that brings us closer to our destination when we get down in that area of the Capital. We didn't take the correct one - again - but the GPS recalculated and got us there in fine shape. We were just worried about being late to meet the others.

When everyone arrived at the Fuqua's corner, it was decided we would walk to California Burrito. Some said eight blocks, some said ten, then the consensus of opinion was anywhere from four to thirteen blocks. It seemed like at least fifteen to me -- I was tired upon arrival. The air was nippy, but sunny and we enjoyed conversation with the person we were next to as positions shifted from time to time during the trek.

Only one couple was seated and eating when we arrived, so our group filled up some space and the commmotion and chattering was noticeable. The preparation of the burrito reminded me of a Cafe Rio type place. We could see them assembling it and we could choose what we wanted on it. We ordered one burrito (huge) and three tacos with a different meat in each. Then we shared. It was plenty to eat and gave us a variety. Everything was really good, but really messy. We were grateful for a knife and fork.

Our group was Zella Grieves, Jean Anderson, Tony Anderson, Grant and Marilyn Barton, Julie and Richard Kroff, and Kelly Grieves. Charles and Eileen Fuqua had already left as Elder Fuqua was helping the missionaries with something this afternoon.

At this point, Dr. Anderson stated he and his wife wanted to go to Florida street to shop and invited any and all to join. We already had plans to stay down in the capital and go sightseeing until it was time for the movie. We didn't want to travel back home and then come again in the evening -- although we certainly could have done that. We wanted to go to the Casa Rosada, or most commonly called "the Pink House." It is the White House of Argentina. Tours are free and it is only open on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Today was a good time to visit this landmark.

The Grieves were feeding the elders tonight so had to go their way and wouldn't be back for movie night, so they took off. The Bartons had something going on, but would return at 7:00 to join us. So we told the Andersons we would accompany them to Florida street and go shopping with them, since they would be alone and really didn't know where it was nor how to get there. They are going home next Friday, so this was their only chance to visit this popular tourist area.

We hopped on a Subte and in a flash had gone eight stops to where we wanted to get off. How pleased and surprised we were to exit right at the Obelisk. We were here during the 25 de mayo celebration when the streets surrounding the Obelisk were blocked off and the area was jammed packed with people watching the soccer game on the big screens. It was the week long celebration commemorating the start of Argentina's independence. It was fun to see it now and visualize what it looked like a month ago.

We proceeded to walk towards Florida street on another sourvenir, tourist street called Lavalle. Stopping in one of the shops to buy something that caught Sister Anderson's eye, she asked her husband for some money. He patted and pawed several pockets in his jacket trying to located his wallet. He checked his pants, rechecked every zipped up pocket in his coat and even his sock where he usually keeps it when out and about. It was no where to be found!!!! WHAT?? Did he lose it or did it get stolen on the subway? Fear and shock was evident on all our faces. We retraced our steps and went back to the subway area, heads down looking all over on the street, plus checking garbage cans to see if even though the money would be gone, the wallet might have been tossed aside. Nothing!! He remembered that after buying the tickets, he took his wife's camera and unzipped the pocket where he remembers putting the wallet. He was going to zip the camera in there too. He figures it slipped out in that process because it isn't a very deep pocket.

Besides $50 U.S. dollars, he had about 400 pesos ($100 in U.S. currency) and his debit, credit, and American Express cards, and his drivers license. Well, that ended their outing with us. They needed to return to their apartment and call to cancel the cards. They would see us at 7:00 for the movie. We felt soooo bad for them and hated for them to end their short mission with this experience. He said he was just mad at himself for doing such a "dumb" thing.

We continued on our way towards the "Pink House." It was quite a hike from the Obelisk and once to the plaza in front of it, we parked ourselves on a bench to rest our weary feet and legs.

These dressed up guards guide people along, and conduct the tours through the building, stopping at every turn to have their picture taken with camera ready tourists. They were very willing to pose, however, not with a smile.

The downstairs area had portraits on the walls of all the presidents of Argentina, plus other figures important to South American history. Then we were taken in groups on a 25 minute tour/walk through of the building with only the names of the rooms given -- no explanations.

We really don't know what this room is used for. It was very ornate.

Same room as above, but with a good looking gentleman in it. Most of the rooms were very golden in color, a combination of the paint and lighting.

An inside courtyard and garden were very well groomed and beautiful.

The palm trees were very impressive in this setting.

This was some sort of a conference room with individual microphones at each seat. Many rooms had huge ceiling to floor mirrors, ornate lighting and chandeliers. We did notice that some refurbishing or restoration should be on the agenda, as some areas were a little run down and needed some paint or flooring repairs.

It was fun to see what this historic building looked like on the inside and we did go out on a balcony overlooking the plaza where in the movie Evita, Eva Peron, address the Argentine people. More about her and Juan Peron on tomorrow's entry.

We walked through the plaza to Florida street and decided that because we were so cold, that a hot chocolate would taste good. So we went to a McDonald's and hoped we would find some at the café expreso bar where they sell cappichino. Yes, they sold hot chocolate there, but when Rich returned to the table, he had two clear glass cups with hot white milk in them. Then there was a small packet of a chocolate bar that looked like a submarine. We didn't quite know what to do, but assumed we were to add the submarine to the milk. That we did, and as it melted we stirred and stirred. The white milk soon turned to a faint chocolate color with a faint chocolate taste. When the gal asked Rich if he wanted sugar, he said "No" not sure why she asked. But we knew after tasting it as it was a little bitter. We have never had hot chocolate served in this way, but at least it was warm and there was a cookie on the tray too.

We continued on down Florida street towards the Retiro train station. We decided to take the train back to Belgrano and take bus 29 to where the Fuquas live. We boarded the train and were SO glad to sit down. We had done a fair share of walking today. Both of us complained of tired feet and tired hips and we hurt from the waist down. Once seated, Rich said, "Where is the package?" OH GREAT!! We bought three souvenirs that we are collecting to give to his siblings once we are home. We left them in McDonalds!!! Neither of us remembered during our walk to the train, and neither of us were in the mood nor had the strength to go all the way back to get them. We hope someone enjoys them!

So we told the Andersons that they aren't the only ones that do "dumb" things. It's tough to get old! We can find what we bought anywhere, and we only lost 100 pesos (about $25 ) It wasn't worth the walk back; however, I liked what we picked out.

Our group of Andersons (leave for St. George on the 25th), Bartons (leave for S.L. on the 22nd), Kroff's, and Fuquas watched the movie, "Return to Me." We all enjoyed it and each other's company today.

The end of our day was perfect as we made our way home in the Volkswagen Sharan. We were so grateful we had the car!