March 7,

   Congratulations to one of our nephews… he’s a new father!!!

We were up and about by 0700. Earlier, around six, we both heard the rain. I don’t think Jeff went back to sleep, but I did. Anyway, we had our Javas and breakfast inside due to the chill the rainy weather pattern had left. We both had an egg sandwich with hummus.

Around noon we went out. Jeff had been able to recharge his phone plan but could not get mine to. So we set out for the closest Claro (that’s the phone service we use down here) shop. We arrived – it was near the train station area. Inside we obtained the next number. We were next, so it wasn’t a very long wait. But the attendant was not very helpful and seemed put out that we had to translate. It was frustrating and she did not help us, except to tell us we would need to recharge using cash… So we left and went to an ATM in the train station. We have tried not to go to the ATMs down here because they charge the highest percentage per transaction that we have ever seen in all the countries we have been to!

Anyway, money in hand we went back to the Claro shop. Thankfully a different person helped us and she said we would need to go to a “Farmacity”, which is a local pharmacy chain in Argentina – like Walgreens back home. So cash in hand we went to one that was practically next door. The guy here worked with us – with the help of the other cashier also. Claro would only let them do a small recharge amount, but Jeff was able to then charge on his phone for the same amount to get to the total amount we needed without their help… which was what he tried to do in the first place!!! Crazy! These little things that should be so easy, but…

That accomplished we went walking on to the more central, touristy area. Along the way the building facades change to the older, grand colonial, or Art deco designs. It made for an interesting trek – to look up at them, but then to keep an eye on the sidewalks so you wouldn’t misstep! Some of the buildings have been kept up or restored. Lovely! But as many that were maintained – there were equal, if not more, that were sorely in need of attention or so derelict that they needed to be knocked down. You could imagine how it must have looked a couple of generations ago.

We checked out a Mexican Restaurant, but we decided against it due to the menu and just because it was in the touristy area. We instead went back nearer to our place and went to an Ecuadorian restaurant, called El Fogon de La Tia…Fogon con Sabor!!!, which translated as “Auntie’s Stove…A Stove with Flavor!!!”🤣 We had two mains: one of a pork chop, the other of pan seared fish fillet. They each came with savory beans in a sauce with rice. They were both very filling with all the beans and rice, and very good. The older lady who served our food asked if we wanted “chilies,” which was a sampler of a salsa of chilies, very spicy and great! I had a coke and Jeff had a grapefruit soda. When we finished the older lady came to clear and was surprised we had finished our food, giving a nod of approval. What fun she must be! Anyway, Jeff paid, having to use cash (thankfully we had just got some). It cost 20,000 ARS, or $14.

We went back to our place. Later we had corn on the cob for dinner. We also talked with my mom and her husband. Bed by 2200.

March 8,

We were up and about by 0700. I kept waking up last night to doors slamming – the elevator shaft is right next to our bedroom. The pull-close grate doors are decidedly louder. Anyway, we both feel we are finally over that cold! About time and Good Riddance!! We had our Javas and Muesli for breakfast. Just after ten we left to go to a Hillsong Church Service! It was about 0.7 of a mile walk. When we arrived there was a long lineup to get in!! There were many greeters and one connected us with an English translator, David. He directed us to an upstairs balcony booth. The service is held in a grand old movie theater. Beautiful!!! It had a huge main floor with three levels of the booths circling the stage, and a standing area also! The place filled up on the floor and most of the booths. Our booth only had four seats and there were four of us – a German man, and another lady from Atlanta, GA, USA. We were given earbuds with a small walkman/ipod set up. Someone translated the speakers live, but not the songs (unfortunately). The place was very energetic and alive with mostly young worshippers. Hillsong runs four services every Sunday! So it is doing well here! After services we thanked our translator and left. It was quite an experience.

We walked back to our place by way of a grocery store for milk, yogurt and bread. Once at our place we ate a salami, cheese sandwich for lunch. Then we went to connect with our local church back home – forgetting they did a spring forward time change, so we just caught some of the sermon and talked with some after service. We found out my sister was under the weather, hopefully, we’ll talk with her next week. We had supper of the leftover stir-fry we had. Then we connected with Jeff’s sister and her husband. They were well. Connections…they are important.