Day with the Seniors - Saturday, July 24, 2010

Happy Birthday Thale - He always celebrates it by going to the Days of '47 Parade

After our busy week, it felt good to sleep in until 7:30. We really had no plans today except to take the car at the office and go to WalMart. We aren't in need of very many things because I haven't cooked any big meals lately, but it seemed like a place to go.

Before we even talked about it this morning, our phone rang at 8:10 and it was Sister Grieves, one of our senior couple friends. She said they were going to tour the Casa Rosada (like the White House to us), and go to Des Nivel for dinner. Did we want to come? It didn't take us long to decide that even though we had visited the Casa Rosada last month, and also went to Des Nivel for steak a few weeks ago, that we would go again. Two of the three couples left at the Area Offices are new and we don't know them very well. We don't really need to tour the pink house or eat steak again, but we do like social contact sometimes with people our age. And we would like to get to know these other couples better. The doctor is one of them and I do talk to him on the phone about illnesses, but we don't have time to chit chat.

We hurried along with our morning preparations to leave about 10:00, but we didn't get out the door until about 10:30 due to some medical calls I received. Good thing I was going to be with the doctor today. Riding the train on a Saturday is usually crowded, but not this day. We found a seat immediately upon entering the train, and the ride was pleasant. Then we got on the Subte and even made a transfer to another line which took us right to the Casa Rosada. We are getting good at using this public transportation. Who would of thought?

Our friends called and would wait inside for us. Standing in line to enter we talked to a couple from West Virginia. They came here with sky miles just because it seemed like a good place to visit. The guards in the Casa are always willing to have their picture taken with the patrons. This one even smiled a little and looked pleasant. Last time the guard we picked was stone sober.

This room was devoted to the accomplished women of Argentina and was fun to see again.

The only one familiar to us was Eva Peron. Wish we knew more about the others.

This is an interesting table, but we don't know it's significance.

Many balconies surround the Casa and this one looks out on Plaza de Mayo, the most famous. This is the one that President Juan Peron used in making public speeches.

The tour was allowed only about a minute in this room. We didn't see it last time, but suppose that this is like the Oval Office. The changing of the guard was taking place. It was ornate and beautiful.

The day was icy cold with the wind whipping right through us, and the walk to Des Nivel for dinner was a long way. We were all troopers and made it just fine. It enhanced our appetites for sure. Partners were split up walking and talking with whomever was at their side. It was great getting to know the Davidson and Snells better. We are so glad to be included.

Kelly and Zella Grieves are at the far end of the table across from each other. Dr. Snell and wife Clara are by me and Jolene and Ross Davidson next to Rich. The doctor isn't looking as he is on the phone, as is normal for most pictures that we have had with all the doctors.

A variety of meals with beef were ordered -- some couples shared a meal, some not. It was all good. It was about 2:00 and the place was packed. It is very popular. This was our fourth time eating there.

Since we got there on foot, we, of course, had to get back the same way. We were headed to a Subte when we made a detour into this bookstore that sold only books in English. The Grieves had been here before to make purchases and wanted to show it to us. They collect their books from donations, so they are second hand, but were in excellent condition. The owner spoke English and said that mostly she gets them from Americans who drop them off to lighten their luggage load. The variety was unbelievable!!

After warming up a bit we continued on to the Subte, and for us we only had to go one stop and then change to another line to get us back to the Retiro train station. The others stayed on until they arrived back by the Area Offices. Once at Retiro we only waited for the train for about 10 minutes and we were seated comfortably for our 35 minute ride back to San Fernando. It felt good to sit down.

On one of the stops a young mother and her small son, probably about three years old, got on and sat across the isle from us. He sat so still not moving a muscle for miles. We couldn't take our eyes off him because he reminded us so much of our grandsons, particularly Mekhi who sometimes freezes when he thinks someone is watching him or is in an unfamiliar situation. He was darling!! Pretty soon he warmed up and laughed with his mother, probably wondering why those old people were smiling and staring at him. Oh, our hearts long to get our grandsons in our arms again.

We arrived in San Fernando about 6:00 and remembered the few things on our shopping list, so we stopped off at a small neighborhood market across from the train station to pick up the needed items. We only bought what we could carry as we had about six blocks to walk home.

We were glad to be home and warm again. It was a great day and we were happy we decided to go.