Classic Argentina!

Two weeks in Argentina were amazing. Bonnie and I headed south to visit the mission and see the people we love that side of the equator. It was a blast and I'm so glad that I went. Bonnie approached me last fall about going down and I was hesitant to give her a solid yes; not that I didn't want to go, but I needed to make sure I was able to go. I don't like to make rash decisions and since this was a big decision, I wanted to be certain of everything. Well, I finally decided that I was able to go and we set the dates and bought the tickets. Bonnie knows that when I say yes, I mean yes; so naturally she was stoked of my verdict.

Two weeks was almost not enough for us, but we managed to see almost all the people that we wanted to see. We landed in Buenos Aires on Thursday, 6 May without any plans or reservations. Bonnie was super nervous to be there, but like a true champ hid her anxiousness completely. I was just nervous how to get to the centro. We talked to all the taxistas waiting like vultures to take anyone to the centro and of course jumped on the chance to take advantage of two rubias from the States. Bonnie finally talked down one driver and our taxi ride to the center was a treat! $130 pesos later at my insistence we reached the centro and our hostel. We checked in and then went about to see the sites that BsAs has to offer.

Calle Florida was pretty cool - lots to see and buy. We also went by the Obelisco on Avenida 9 de Julio (the largest avenue in the world). We stopped by the Casa Rosada, but unfortunately, we did not see Cristina! Que pena!! We bought tickets to a Tango Show (Bonnie is the ultimate negotiator) and that was a neat experience. It reminded me of my lack of rhythm and how I will never be a great dancer. But I'm glad that others have that talent so we can enjoy it. So, BsAs was a pretty cool place. I had been to that area before, but Bonnie hadn't, so we just kind of played it by ear.

BACK TO THE MISSION

GOYA, CORRIENTES - Our first stop after a grueling ten and a half hour bus ride was Goya, Corrientes. Bonnie and I both served there, but we were in different areas. My area (Belgrano) is a disaster and hardly anyone is going to church. It was my first area of the mission, so no one really remembered me and I wasn't dying to go back there. I didn't really talk a lot in that time of my mission mostly because I couldn't understand a whole lot. I spoke just fine, but when you can't understand what's being said, you just don't make a lot of conversation. We spent our time in Bonnie's area (El Centro) and saw a lot of the people that she taught and reactivated. We stayed with a member named Yesi and it was perfect....except my freezing cold shower! No one showed me how to warm up the water :(

ITUZAINGO, CORRIENTES - I didn't serve here, but Bonnie did and it was a great place to stop. It has a fantastic beach! Our remisero picked us up and took us to the cheapest hotel that he knew of...70 pesos, not too shabby :) We saw two families that Bonnie met while there and a few members and investigators. It was very fun to meet them, especially the Rodriguez family. What an amazing family....de oro! The kids were kind of enough to accompany us back to the hotel we were staying at near the plaza.

ELDORADO, MISIONES - I finished my mission in this area, the Tierra Colorado. Bonnie never served in Misiones, so I think she liked the red dirt. It actually is very pretty, but it is horrible to get out of your clothes. We stayed with Familia Medina (Lorena, Hugo and their three girls: Juli, Brenda, and Aldana). They were such great hosts! It was my birthday so we stopped to get ice cream and then saw Cata Bogado and Ruben. I taught Ruben while I was there and about three weeks before we got to Argentina he was baptized! So it was a really nice visit...of course, we drank mate with Hermana Cata. Next we saw Familia Paredes and they are doing really well! They are really active and things are going great. We had a noche de hogar with them every Sunday night. It was really good to see a few people in Eldorado.

After, Bonnie was so nice and bought me a cake for my birthday and we celebrated with Familia Medina. It was really fun. My candles were interesting. The 7 broke in half when I blew them out. It was a great place and way to spend my birthday! Thanks Bonnie!

IGUAZU FALLS, MISIONES/PUERTO IGUAZU, MISIONES - This was our tourist day in the mission trip. I had been to the Cataratas twice during my mission and it was amazing...but this time put the other two to shame! There was so much water!!! The Garganta del Diablo (the Devil's Throat) was massive and so loud. Bonnie hadn't been before and I think she really liked the Falls. There were tour groups as usual, but one in particular was so funny. For some reason, we just kind of lingered and some lady started singing a song. We were laughing so hard...I don't think anyone thought we understood Spanish. Next thing we know, some other lady is telling us that the singer is a music teacher...and then asked if we wanted some candy. It was so funny! Bonnie and I just started laughing so hard! Of course we took the candy...Argentines are all about sharing. We walked both the upper and lower circuits and saw the Coati (a relative of the racoon). They are little vultures, climbing all over the tables, drinking coke and stealing goods anywhere they can get their paws on them. The Falls were really pretty and if you have the chance, I highly recommend seeing one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It's worth the trip.

We headed back to Puerto Iguazu and ate dinner at a little cafe. Some peddlers came up to us selling their wares and then asked us if we smoked marijuana. Do we look like we smoke marijuana? Nope. That was random. Bonnie loves earrings and found a few she liked at a street vendor. Next we got ice cream and just sat and talked because our bus wasn't leaving until 9:00pm. I had the hugest headache when I got on the bus. Bonnie gave me one of her sleeping pills which I took happily with some ibuprofen and was knocked out! It was the best sleep I had while we were travelling.

FORMOSA, FORMOSA - Aahh! Formosa La Hermosa! My second home! I love this place. It was the last stop for us because it was the favorite place of the mission (at least it was for me). I served there for almost nine months in two wards: Puerto and Terminal. I was so happy to see the Cruz del Norte when we arrived. Nardy and Franci met us at the terminal and we went straight to their house where we stayed. We showered and ate lunch and then we were out and about visiting people. The highlight of Formosa for me was visiting Familia Alcaraz! I love that family. They had no idea I was coming and it was a such a sweet reunion. I spent Christmas day with them in 2007 and just love them. It was awesome to see Diego and Miguel and their mom, Elvira. But the cherry on top was seeing Hermano Miguel. When he walked in and saw me, he started to cry and we just hugged each other. It was such a good feeling to be able to hug the hermanos and not to shake hands with them. Hermano Miguel is such a sweet man. It ripped me apart to leave Formosa in Feb 2008. But seeing them again, just filled my heart with gladness. We had a nice visit with mate and a fishing pole and views from the balcony. I love that family. Fede had a dance party at his house that night, but for some reason only Bonnie and I were dancing...and I don't dance, so you know it was good! It was great to see Fede as well.

I went to church on Sunday in Terminal and although it rained, I did get to see some of the members that I wanted to. The only members that I really wanted to see and didn't was Familia Avalos. I will see them the next time :) Formosa was awesome! I was just so happy to be there.

Leaving Formosa that Sunday night was hard. It really is like a second home for me and I love the people I met there. I can't wait to go back. We rode the bus all night down to BsAs and met Hermana Tartaglia to chat with her (she and Bonnie were companions). After to the airport on a shuttle and back to the States and reality. What an amazing time we had and I'm certainly so happy that Bonnie wanted to go. She was such a great travel buddy! Hasta la proxima!