Move to our Permanent Apartment

We moved across the street this week to our permanent apartment for the duration of our mission.  We had been living on the temple grounds in the apartment building that houses the Chile MTC where 90 missionaries stay for 2 weeks if they speak Spanish and 5 weeks if they have to learn the language.  About 6-8 couples who work in the temple live there also on the 4th floor (that's where we were ) and the second floor is like a hostel where families stay that travel long distances to the temple.  So we reluctantly said good-by to central heat, air conditioning, plenty of hot water, modern laundry room, king-size bed with new mattress and pillows and packed our bags -- making 5 trips back and forth to our new apartment.

Senior missionaries like us have been living in this apartment for several years, so it is well equipped with kitchen stuff and linens -- although sheets and towels are looking VERY worn.  We were able to get the apartment a fresh coat of paint, new carpets in the bedrooms, and a newer box springs/mattress,  which spruced things up quite a bit.  It is going to take some getting used to the tempermental "Califont" -- hot water heater, and the tiny space heater.  We still haven't figured out the gas oven, but two of the four burners on top work great!

So I've decided we left the Marriott Courtyard and moved to the Motel 6 where they promise "to keep the light on" -- only it may flip the breaker off if you want heat with that light!

Our "newer" bed

The gas stove -- still a little scary to use!

The "califont" supposed continuous hot water, but very tempermental!

Our narrow "one butt" kitchen

The only source of heat in the apartment -- can be rolled room to room

Our cosy living room!

The weather had been wonderful the past couple of weeks -- for winter weather, but this week turned much colder again -- just when we moved into an apartment without central heat!  I've got three heavy blankets on the bed, so sleeping is fine, but my fingers are cold as I type this entry.  Luckily yesterday we went to the Estacion Central which is a gigantic shopping area -- it reminded me of Chinatown in NYC with booths of everything imaginable -- anyway I found a pair of fir lined boots that I've had on all day and my feet are toasty.

I don't know if we've mentioned that the chapels here are beautiful to look at, but inside they are FRIGID.  I don't know if they have heat, but if so it is not turned on.  So if it's 50o outside it is 50o inside!  Today we spoke in church and I wore my gloves and boots!  As I looked around the audience, ALL the women had their coats, boots and scarves on.

Just a few observations about church:  The young men who bless and pass the sacrament are all dressed in suits and white shirts -- even in the tiny little wards where people live very modestly.  Most of the songs are sung a capella because no one plays the piano.  Attendance is low, but those who come have such sweet spirits and strong testimonies.

This week is the week of Independence.  The parties are already under way.  At the church office building where we work there was a special lunch for all the people in the building on Thursday -- a traditional "asado" (Bar-B-Q) meal.  The amount of food on each plate was astounding -- empanata,  1/4 chicken, chorizo, beef, pork, blood sausage, and potato, bread, salad and several desserts.  We had already eaten empanatas midmorning with the Perpertual Education volunteers, so we passed on that at lunch!  Friday there were more empanatas at the office and a party at the chapel next to the temple that night.

The Pocuro Ward party started at 8:00 p.m. and went until midnight with games, dances and more empanatas and chori-pan than I could believe!   We ate chori-pan (grilled chorizo on toasted bread with fresh salsa) as we walked home at 11:00 pm.

Oh, the last exciting event of the week -- On Wednesday we were walking home at lunch time and saw a group of missionaries coming our way.  We stopped to make introductions and find out where they were from -- Rancagua Mission -- and then we noticed oneVERY cute missionary with the name tag ELDER ARCHULETTA.  I tried to act very calm as I told him how much my two daughters adore him and about Jaclyn seeing his concert at BYU-I and writing an article for the local newspaper about the concert.  Of course this was the only day I forgot my camera.  As we said good-by to all of them, I shook their hands and Richard got an "abraso" hug from Elder Archuletta!!!  He said he will probably be back here to perform in a Christmas Concert here at the temple grounds like he did last year.  He has just 6 months more time as a missionary.

Asado -- blood sausage, chorizo, chicken beef, pork & potato (we did NOT eat blood sausage)

At Estacion Central -- the food court

My favorite child in Pocuro ward - Matias -- dressed in traditional Independence costume

Tug-o-war!!!

Richard and his new favorite food -- Chori-pan