So the flight to Argentina didn’t seem that long. There were blankets and pillows so I tried to sleep, but I don’t think I did. There were movies and such (we were allowed to watch pg or g movies) So I watched Hero6? I think that’s what it's called.
We land in Buenos Aires and everyone is confused. I dońt know where to go, but since I knew the most Spanish in the group everyone looked up to me. I finally found where we’re supposed to go and jumped on the bus to the smaller airport to fly us to Mendoza. Nearly everyone fell asleep on the bus, we were all exhausted. Got to the smaller airport and had–if I remember right, a 3 ½ hour wait. So I bought a meal and waited it out. Sadly my first meal in Argentina was a cheeseburger and fries with a Fanta. The flight to Mendoza was nice, while waiting for our flight we ran into another group of missionaries going to Mendoza from the Buenos Aires MTC (CCM) so in total there were/are about 20 new missionaries going to Mendoza. 5 from Provo, 15 from Argentina.
We arrived about 5:00 p.m., Arg time. The AP's and President and Herm Goates were there to greet us, it was pretty nice. I had a nice beard growing, because we have been traveling for >30 hours. I felt pretty gross not showering and such for that long, but whatever.
We had a couple of activities, saw a couple of sights, and learned a couple of secrets (I can’t tell anyone until it’s official BUT IT’S SUCH GOOD NEWS!!). Then we had a nice big dinner at the mission home, lasagna! At the mission home my left ankle was hurting, so I took a look at it, and to my surprise, my ankle was swelling up and was red. We slept at a hotel nearby.
I didn’t know who my companion was or where I was serving until Thursday.
On Wednesday we had interviews and an activity going to the Cerro de la Gloria (you can look it up on Google, it’s really cool!). Then we had the opportunity to Abrir La Boca (ALB) a.k.a. street contacts. It was pretty interesting. I went out with Elder R, he is from Pleasant Grove, Ut. I was able to understand just about everything.
Fast forward to Thursday, my companion, trainer, is Elder Saavedra (he is from the city in Peru with the new Temple dedication this year–Trujillo). I can understand him well, but struggle to find words when I need to talk. I am teaching him English. He is a good example especially considering he is going to die training me (die means finish your mission). He is very respected among the Elders and well known with members, so yep it’s pretty cool.
I’m serving in Chimbas, Retiro A – it’s in San Juan. The toilets here can’t handle toilet paper, so they have Bidet toilets.
We got to our pension and it was a mess. The previous Elders were messy and gross. Me and Elder Saavedra spent a while cleaning up and it looks 1000x better now.
I was fairly sick and junk on Friday and Saturday. I drank some water and had a BAD experience. And my foot was still swollen and hurt to walk on. Not good days.
The members usually provide lunch. Lunch is the biggest meal here, it’s pretty odd, ALSO there is a Siesta!!!! Which means the missionaries have an hour nap each day until my birthday! (the Siesta–practically the whole country of Argentina shuts down during the heat of the day so the people don’t die.) The shade is practically my best friend so I don’t die.
My first Sunday in Chimbas was actually their Stake Conf. The Area 70, Chile Santiago Temple President and the Mendoza Mission President (aka my mission president) attended and spoke. It was really cool and felt right at home in our stake, but it was in Spanish-Castillano and I didn’t understand everything. Everything I understood I liked. I found out that the Cordoba Temple will be dedicated on May 17th, and I should still be here, so I will be able to participate in that!
We didn’t have any lessons or anything because, not only am I new to the Area, Elder Saavedra has never been in Chimbas. So we are both learning together!
We have a bunch of citas set up this week. We also have Zone conference tomorrow, so I will see President and Herm. Goates tomorrow!
Anyways, love you all, and trying to adapt to this culture shock!
Enclosed pictures are of Cerro de la Gloria and my foot which is 100% normal, but it was frightening at first.
