Lunch at Kansas - Saturday, November 20, 2010

We awoke at 7:00 excited for the day. After Rich showered and got ready for the day, he went on a couple of errands. He went to get my phone from the office, took our shopping cart to Disco to pick up a few things we needed, stopped at our neighborhood market for other items, and took our laundry to the lavanderia across the street. I got myself ready, started cleaning the apartment, and did two loads of wash.

We talked with Paul and Denise on skype before we headed out at 12:30 for our afternoon lunch date with two of the couples from the Area Office. Earlier in the week, Sister Grieve called to invite us to lunch at Kansas as sort of a farewell get together before we go home. Dr. Hollingsworth and his wife would be there too. They are the two couples at the Area Office that we know the best. There are some new couples that have recently arrived that we do not know as well.

We took the train as far as Lisandro de la Torre and then walked a short ways down Libertador to Kansas. During our train ride, a harpist entertained for money. He was pretty good so we gave him a couple pesos when he held out his hat. Usually we ignore the beggars, but this guy was cute and did have a talent.

Kansas is a restaurant that is crowded ALL day long. It doesn't matter what time of day it is, the people are there, and they don't close for siesta. We arrived earlier than the rest so it was fun to "people watch" as couples, families, young and old came and went.

We sat across from our companions with Zella and Kelly Grieve (UT) by the window, and Dr. William and Sharlene Hollingsworth (Canada) in the middle. I had wonderful salmon, baked potato, and caesar salad. Rich had Filet Mignon (bife de lomo), baked potato, and tossed salad. His steak was good, but didn't compare to our favorite place, Des Nivel. Nothing can compare to that bife de lomo!!!!

We had a great time and do enjoy socializing with the other senior couples. When the bills came, there were only two. The waiter walked away quickly before we could ask were ours was. Then we learned that the other two were paying for our meals. How special is that?? What a treat!

We talked about the Schoenys coming to replace us and that we were going to show them how to use the train and buses to get to Bonpland so they can join with the seniors for General Conference and other social outings. Plans were then made that on the Saturday that they are here and before we leave, we will all have a movie night together so they can meet the other couples and we can take them there on the public transportation so they can find their way. Fun!

We parted company after lunch and Rich and I took a taxi to Recoleta to buy some more orange boxes at the artisan fair. I can't get enough of them - the perfect gift. The cute young man that sells them for his mother knows us now, and was surprised we were still in Argentina. He thought we had gone home. He said he was having a slow day, so our purchase of 14 put a smile on his face. Then he threw in an extra one as a Christmas present for me. He said the Americans usually buy a lot, the Germans buy some, but the French never buy anything. That made me laugh.

After we left, we decided to check out some sights close by that we have heard about, but never took the time to explore. One was this Steel Flower which acts like a real flower. The gigantic petals open during the day and close for the night. It is made of stainless steel and aluminum and sits in the center of a pool of water which reflects the flower and also protects it from vandals.

The water it sits in is like a reflecting pool, but not smooth and still. The water was rippling and cascading over the edge to be pumped back into the main body of water. Interesting! One account we read on Google search said that a ten minute visit to the flower is sufficient as in mosquito season, it is unbearable to be around it.

We took another taxi down Libertador to an area where there are several parks around the statue of Sarmiento. When we drive past this area, there are people and things going on in the parks all the time. A zoo is located here, plus the Japanese Gardens, and the park 3 de febrero where Elder Melvin J. Ballard dedicated the land of Argentina for missionary work on Christmas day in 1925.

We walked around and really couldn't find anything of real interest to us except to take in the beauty of these gorgeous purple trees that bloom in the spring, and are everywhere. We enjoyed them last year and are so glad we are here to see them one more time.

We found the dedication site, a Mexican band playing music, and lots of long lines to various booths selling food. People were everywhere lying on the grass, milling around, just being out on a gorgeous sunny day-- gorgeous, humid, sunny day. Yes, the humidity kicked in today.

We were disappointed in the Japanese Gardens. We found some closed up buildings and no flowers and really not much of anything. But then we really didn't know if we were in the right place. The map said we were there, but the area is so massive that the real center of it could have been blocks away. By then, we were just too hot and tired of walking so we got in a taxi and went to the Retiro train station to go back home. We were grateful to find a seat, tho not together, but it was soooo good to sit down.

We enjoyed our P-day and reality set in when Rich said we only have two more Saturdays in Argentina. Eeeek!