They're Here - Wednesday, October 13, 2010

**I took the advice of a dear friend and "Bagged the Blog" while our daughters visited. It's a good thing because after each day's activities, I was too tired to stay up and type. They are gone now and I am resuming my entries**

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Although it was early, it wasn't hard to get up today because we were going to the airport to get our girls. Yea-a-a-a-a!! The arrival time was 7:45 a.m. and it was an hours drive to get there. Even though we know it takes a long time to get through customs, we still wanted to be there when the plane landed. When we checked the screen inside the airport, it said the plane landed at 7:12. That is unusual because many times the overnight flight with our missionaries is usually late.

We hurried to the area where the travelers come through the doors after going through customs and waited, and waited, and waited! It took so long that we thought they must be having trouble using the credit card to pay the entrance fee that is charged when entering the country.

After a one and one half hour wait, pretty soon we FINALLY saw them making their way through the doors where many other anxious people were waiting for someone to arrive. It was SO exciting to have them in our arms and know that they were here safe and sound. What a wonderful feeling!! We talked non stop on our way back to San Fernando explaining things they saw along the way.

After arriving at our apartment, Rich went up to the office because he had to go to the bank to cash a check. The girls wanted a nap, as did I. So the three of us slept for a couple of hours.

Rich returned about the same time we all woke up and the girls wanted to walk around to see the neighborhood. Their first picture was quite creative as we left our building.

Rich left his wallet at the office, so that was our first stop. The girls didn't think they were looking very good to meet the elders, but they were still there. We visited for a few minutes and showed them around the office and the church, then caught the bus right outside the gate to ride up to the plaza. No time like the present to get them used to the colectivos.

At this magazine stand, Melissa was successful in finding a magazine on Patchwork. Being the quilter that she is, she is interested in seeing what kinds of crafts, designs, and handiwork are available in Argentina. The man was happy he could accommodate her in finding one that she could purchase and couldn't believe it when she asked for another. It was funny! He was glad to have at least one.

We walked down Constitucion stopping at various stores to look, and most especially at a fabric store that caught Melissa's interest. She made a purchase which would be the first of many. Argentina doesn't have quilting specialty stores like in the states, but she wants a sample of the types of material that they do have here to add to her collection at home. I'm sure something wonderful will be created.

We stopped at a panadaria to look at the selection of postres and pan and bought some that looked good to the girls. And, of course, we stopped at our favorite empanada shop to stock up on sveral for quick snacks and to introduce them to the national fast food.

We dropped our packages off at home and then walked six blocks down Avellaneda to the favorite Peruvian restaurant that the missionaries all love. It's not fancy, not many people were there tonight, but we enjoyed what we ordered and had a great time visiting. Dinner was at 8:00 p.m.

Melissa was snapping pictures right and left of architecture, sidewalk patterns, door frames, paintings on buildings, and more. The total for the first day in Argentina topped 100.

The introduction to Argentina, Buenos Aires, and specifically to San Fernando was a good beginning to the week we will have together. We are so happy to be together again. We feel blessed!!