Nix on Uruguay - Friday, September 17, 2010

Wow, it's Friday again! After four busy days, we were looking forward to a calm one where we could catch up and get things done that we had been neglecting all week.

It started out with normal morning activities, but added today was washing a load of whites. We also checked the weather and were pleased to have a sunny day, but with a chilly breeze. Rich walked out without his hat and wished he had it on as we walked to the office. We have never seen such extremes in weather temperatures from one day to the next as we have here in Argentina. So, that is why we check the forecast every morning to see what is expected.

My surprise was obvious when we walked into the office and saw half of the bins of mail and supplies still there. What's this??? The office elders were there and explained that because the President had a meeting before the Zone Conference, he couldn't take Sister Gulbrandsen with him. So the Assistants had to pick her up at the mission home to take her with them. With four people in the car, all of the goods wouldn't fit. The rest would have to be sent out to Escobar in a remise. Good thing for remises or we would be in a world of hurt around here. We depend on them almost daily for something.

My focus today was getting everything ready for the October 5 transfer. I printed off three letters and a certificate for each of the eight Latinos going home. Now I have to get the attention of the President long enough to have him sit down and sign them. There are also welcome letters for the new ones coming that need to be signed.

Elder Peterson took Elder Davis on some errands with him, while Elder Paz stayed with us in the office. I felt good at what I accomplished. Elders Kroff and Paz seemed busy too, so I guess they were being productive.

A couple days ago the Senior couples at the Area Office called and invited us to go on a day outing with them next Monday to Colonia, Uruguay. It is just 32 miles across the bay to a historical town on the coast. The trip includes passage on a ferry, a bus tour of the town, a scenic ride along the coast, and a box lunch. We thought all we had to do was get approval from our President and told them we would check with him. He told us that President Arnold, the Area President, would have to give permission for us to leave our mission boundaries and we should call his secretary. We did that and then President Arnold called President Gulbrandsen and told him that he didn't have the authority to let us leave our mission. The Quorum of the Twelve are the only ones that can give permission for such a request. Well, we don't think we will go that route. Rich jokingly told the President that he didn't know anyone in the Quorum of the Twelve so he didn't think he would call them.

The other senior couples got the okay from the Area Presidency, but that is because they are assigned to the "area" and that includes Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. So they wouldn't be leaving their area boundaries. We aren't the same. Oh well, at least now we know.

I had been looking forward all week to today because I had a date with Javier to get my hair done. It was way passed due!! So at 3:45 I took a remise to Acassuso for my 4:00 appointment. There were two gals already in the chairs getting color or highlights, cuts, and styling with a blow dryer. They had really long hair and the process to complete them takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r. So I sit, and wait, and read a magazine etc in between my shampoo and color waiting for Javier to get to me for the cut. Finally it was my turn and he takes his time cutting my short "do" to perfection, and styles my hair with a blow dryer and brush. After three and a half hours at the Peluqueria I am finally through. It is 7:30!! I'm glad he doesn't charge by the hour.

The difference in remise fees always amazes us. I went to Javiers in a remise from San Fernando and they charged 17 pesos. Coming back in one from Acassuso was 30 pesos. They are a little more high classed there, but 30 pesos?? That is the most either of us have ever paid from there to here.

When I got home, Rich was not here, but he walked in the door about 20 minutes later surprised that I just arrived too. It turned out that Elders Peterson and Davis were not going to make it back in time for an appointment they had, so Rich went with Elder Paz to teach the investigator.

It was 8:00 and too late for making much of a dinner, so tomato soup it was. We talked about plans for tomorrow and then I got busy on this entry. No pics today!