Temaikén Zoo - Saturday, September 25, 2010

Last night at 10:30 we got a call from the office elders asking us if we wanted to go with them to the zoo in Escobar. They had just received permission from President Gulbrandsen to use their P-day for this day trip and invited us to come along. We have had this on our "to do" list before we return home, so we jumped at the chance for the opportunity to go. It was a gorgeous day outside and a perfect temperature for strolling around the zoo.

We left around 11:30 because we had to wait for the fumigaciones people to do the monthly spraying for bugs. They were coming at 11:00. But, before they showed up we went to the office to get the car and took it to the car wash. Well, not quite a car wash, but very interesting. That will be on another entry. The car was filthy and muddy and usually the elders take care of this duty, but they haven't had time lately. Elder Peterson was so grateful to have it done and it was the least we could do to help them out.

The Temaikén Zoo is about a half hour away from San Fernando and as we approached the parking lot we could see that several hundred other people had the same idea on this beautiful Saturday afternoon. It was really the first warm, comfortable day for an outing.

The entrance fee was 56 pesos per adult, around $15 dollars. Parking was 9 pesos. Zoo employees ushered the line of people to several different tellers and we had all paid our fees when Elder Davis called to us to say that since he was on crutches, he got in free and a person accompanying him could also get in free. And parking was free for him too. Gosh, too bad we had all paid our way. That was a nice bonus for him.

This zoo is state of the art all the way through. We have never seen anything so beautiful, planned out, every area perfect for the animal housed there -- in his own habitat, clean, just gorgeous, and user friendly. It was impressive, to say the least!!!

There are four restaurants, about seven fast food hotdog/hamburgers stands, plus about five ice cream places, and more. We were going to eat there, but the lines were so long that we didn't want the wait.

The Flamingos were our first stop and there were so many of them. We always thought they were pink in color, but these were a rich coral color and SO interesting to watch. Oh, we were hooked and anxious to see what other interesting animals awaited us.

An interesting Antílope. Cool horns!

The grounds were covered with huge, Bridle Wreath bushes. I have never seen so many and so gorgeous all in bloom. The Wisteria plants/bushes were plentiful also and both are my favorites.

The marine life was great and a hit with the crowd.


Not quite as big as "Jaws" but still impressive. The different species of fish was unending.

Mr. Turtle was fun to watch. And, one thing that amazed us was how many of each animal, fish, or whatever, there was to watch. There wasn't just one or two of everything. There were several!!

We had a great time, and understood why Elder Davis was so excited to return. He had been to the zoo before as he lived in this area where it is located. And all the way there his enthusiasm showed.

This Toucan was right among the people. He swooped down and landed on a railing, and boy were the cameras flashing!!

There were colorful parrots and . . .

. . . good looking elders.

The bats were kind of creepy, but so interesting. They are furry little critters and I wondered why they didn't lose their grip hanging upside down for so long.

Muy interesante!! All wrapped up in their wings.

The pelicans were plentiful too.

We had a fun day with the elders and may be returning another time to the zoo because Rocio and Ezequiel want us to go with them. There were some things we didn't see as the hour was getting late and the elders needed to get back to work. Elder Davis was a trooper, but traveling around on crutches was tiring and he needed to stop. We treated the guys to McDonalds as that was the only reputable place we knew of in the area.

We had only been home about a half hour when Lidia called and told us that she had made us some flan and was coming by to bring it to us. She would be here in a half hour. When she arrived, four of the five chicas, Lidia, Shirley, Daniela, and Sahara, were at our door and they had more than just flan. Lidia had made us flan AND a sheet cake with two different fillings between the layers. They served us all a portion of the cake which hardly made a dent. There is no way we can eat all of that cake by ourselves, so we'll have to take it to work. How sweet of her, and of them to come all this way to deliver it.

They also told us that it was Francy's birthday today and that Evelyn (who she lives with) was having a surprise party for her at their place and would we come with them. We questioned about possibly intruding on a party we weren't invited to, about being of the older generation with a bunch of youthful young adults, and was shot down on all counts. They truly wanted us to come and said Evelyn would be honored to have us at her place. How could we refuse??

So we put on our shoes and left with them, first making a stop at the church to pick up a couple more young adults. One was a fellow named Nicolas and a young woman named Mico that we have never met before. Then, off to the train we went and only rode for one stop getting off in Victoria. We met Estela at the train station and we all walked about seven or eight blocks to Evelyns place. Along the way the group was looking for a grocery store or Kiosco where they could buy some treats to eat at the party. The first two didn't have what they were looking for, but the third time's a charmer. They bought cheese puffs, chips, cookies, and a cake -- and maybe the drink. I didn't notice everything.

We arrived at Eveyn's and Francy's and fourteen of us, Nicolas, Daniela, Abish, Mico, Estela, Mariana, and Lucia (back row) and Lidia, Sahara, Shirley, Francy, Evelyn, and us crowded into a one room apartment. Yes, one room! They had bunkbeds, a table, and a closet type cupboard. Nothing more! They had a shelf where they put a little two burner portable cook top. We sat in the dark with tea candles lit to give some light. Her light bulb above the table sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Tonight it wasn't working.

There is a counter with a sink in it outside their door where they do their dishes, plus a community bathroom that has a toilet and shower. No hot water, however. They heat water on their burner to wash their hair. Oh, what we take for granted.

Francy and Evelyn are from Perú and Francy credits Evelyn for introducing her to the church and helping her along the road to baptism. She was tearful as she expressed thanks for everyone being there and making her birthday special since she wasn't with her family. She said all her friends are her second family.

The gang sat on the bed and the floor, but they found us a crate to sit on. Everyone munched on the goodies and had a great time. This group of young people are good, good, kids and make sacrifices to belong to the church. We are so touched that they love us, and they express it freely and openly. Daniela, Evelyn, and Francy join us in this photo.

Around 9:15, when we told them we had better start for home and to just point us in the direction of the train, everyone jumped up eager to leave with us. There was another birthday party they were to attend and seemed glad someone made the suggestion to leave. So we all left and walked back to the train. When we got to San Fernando, we expected the group to go one way on a bus to their next party, and we would walk our normal route home like we have done many, many times before. No way!! All twelve walked us all the way home to our door. We insisted that we could make it home just fine and we felt safe in our own neighborhood, but they would not hear of it. They said they took us out of our safe home at night to go with them, and if they left us and something happened to us on the way from the train to our apartment, they would feel terrible.

We have friends young and old here in Argentina, but our young friends are so darling and special. Daniela gets tears in her eyes even now thinking of us leaving in December. Our purpose in being missionaries is far reaching as a senior couple. If we can be a good example and even inspire one person to be better and remain close to the gospel, we have succeeded. This going home thing isn't going to be easy!!

There was too much to write about on our wonderful P-day. Posting pictures and writing about the zoo and our evening out with friends would have me up all night, so I downloaded some pictures, and then went off to bed.

We loved every minute of today's activities. It was a perfect day!!