Carpenter Crew

January started off with a BIG BANG!!! Elder Scott Carpenter's mission to Santiago Chile was ending Monday January 18, and Dan & I decided to go to Chile to pick him up!!! So very exciting, as I'm not a world traveler!! We made all preparations, and connections witht the mission office in secret from Scott. He had no idea whatsoever!

Our trip began Sat, Jan 16 at 3:00 AM.(when we got up!) Danny and Jaime took us to the San Diego airport,where we went through a bunch of stuff and finally left at 6:30- We got into LA about 7 and then had a nearly 8 hr layover-- During that time we did Sudoku, ate, practiced Spanish verb conjugations, napped, and I walked laps around the airport.

After an 11 hour flight, some inflight movies, and a couple naps, we arrived in Santiago, at 6 AM, Sunday January 17. Leaving the airport was another 2 hour process (customs, entrance fees, etc.)We elected not to rent a car, so we took a bus, then the metro to get us to downtown. Here is Dan, just coming out of the metro station, laden down w/ bags. I also had a backpack. We walked several blocks down Pedro de Valdivia Street to the chapel to be in time for church.Note the dog- A common sight, even in the ultra modern downtown, as this was. He even posed.

The church bldg is right next door to the temple,as well as the apts where the temple pres lives.Presidente and Hermana Lyon were very gracious to us. As we had a couple of hours after mtg before we could get into our hotel room, they invited us to their apt to rest. This is the view from their window-(Santiago Temple)I think the Angel Moroni was broken off in the huge earthquake that happened a month later. The Lyons also took us around town to see some signts. What a warm welcome!!

National Presidential elections were also that Sunday. All businesses are closed on election days- The church had to get special permission to hold 1 hour (Sacrament Mtg only) . The elections are free, but anyone who doesn't vote, without having obtained a prior excuse, is fined. The govt really wants the people to VOTE!

The morning was very quiet, and we saw very few people in cars or walking on the streets. But the night was very different-- Pinera had won, and the people were out in mass, honking horns and waving flags, for HOURS, to celebrate his victory. We grabbed and flag and joined them!!

Two examples of Chilean street art, for all you artists!

Chileans will do anything to make a buck! Here is a guy, painted white, acting like a statue.

The silver urn is for donations. You know how in the states, you see newspaper salesmen rush out in front of the cars, selling papers when the light turns red?? One day, I saw some jugglers/gymnists run out in the crosswalk when the light turned red-- They were great, but I surely hoped the light didn't turn when they were in the middle of a pyramid!

On our third day in Santiago, we got to meet Scott! He didn't have a clue that we were coming, and the mission pres and staff keep our secret well. At first, he didn't seem to know who we were, but as you can see, he warmed right up to us!

For the less adventurous in cuisine- Santiago has Big Macs.
A bit pricey, no?? (Actually, 990 pesos =about $1.90)

Chileans eat foods that are similar to hamburgers, only with carne asada meat inside.("Completos") They also have hot dogs , which they call "Italianos"-(? go figure) They are similar to ours, with these exceptions: they put 1/2 -1 c of guacamole inside the sandwich, (YUM) and they then squeeze mayo, mustard and catsup on TOP of the bun. Here is Scott, eating a completo,in true Chilean style!

A neighborhood sign: "We cut hair and repair washing machines." There are lots of signs advertizing services and products in front of their houses.These people are so enterprising!

Picturesque Santiago Sunday afternoon

The following are some of our WONDERFUL Chilean friends:

The lady on the left is Monica, a convert and friend of Cecilia, the other lady next to Scott. The 3 kids are Cecilia's and they were very fun!! We had a good dinner at thieir house!

This lady has been feeding the missionaries several times each week, for years! She loves

it! The missionaries affectionately call her "Mamacita" or "Fetchin' Maria"--Here she is demonstrating with her napkin, how to make empanadas. She fed us dinner also, and she makes a terrific pot roast!!!ps. She thot I needed some sandals, so she gave me some of hers! I cherish

my Fetchin' Maria flip flops!!

Hector y mother-in-law, Irene. Hector's wife, Cindy, is the Primary Pres. They all live in the

same house w/ kids and Hector's parents. Cindy and Irene had been baking and baking,

preparing for our visit. As we left, Cindy presented me with a beautiful white crocheted tablecloth. She had worked on it for 3 months, as she started as soon as she heard that

Elder Carpenter would be leaving. The Chileans are so very generous!

Investigators Consuelo y Rene- a wonderful couple!

Our RS teacher- great lesson, and great ice cream at her home!

Los Tres Heroes!

Home at Last! --

Had a great pic to go here, but deleted it by mistake! Will put it on the next blog--

Elder Scott is a happy camper! -- also deleted--- Christy you were right about that!!!!

OK., so how did I do for my almost solo blogging ????Check out February's blog for the next installment!!!