Okay I typed you a crazy long message like last week, but myldsmail sucks and deleted it. So here is my effort at duplicating the masterpiece that was supposed to have reached you already.
'Tis been a week of up and downs. Like a slide, with the angle perfect enough that your initial inspection tells you that it'll be a fun slide, until you get to the bottom and realize the huge oversight of the horizontal ledge at the bottom (I wish the computer would let post photos but I am unable it make it work).
Well this week started with a slumber party at Elder Lamb's pad the night before zone conference. We did work, made tacos, and some of us slept on chairs. And I got to finally see the big city. I'm an hour away from the closest missionaries, and two hours away from the next closest, but I met some new elders at zone conference!! But a couple are going home soon. I get along with my comp really well, I hope we stay together next transfer so we can have Christmas and New Years together (both of which are celebrated with massive amounts of huge fireworks).
Saturday, the water in our chapel did not work, so the baptism has been postponed three weeks. hXc bummer.
Fútbol (soccer) is exciting down here and it's an easy way to talk to people haha. Btw chapels have outdoor soccer courts and not indoor basketball courts here.
President Olson came by my casa to inspect it and give me the ole interview. I have two large holes in a pair of pants-idk how i have holes but theyre big and ill sew um and see about getting some here. I've been clapping at some houses - clapping is how we knock because everybody almost has fences or gates in front of their houses. I survived a massive sand storm that had me trapped on the opposite side of town while dirt filled our home. The sand storm was a freak thing but our windows were open and I had clothes on the line. And I purchased what I thought to be juice but later found out is flavored soy milk.
This place is awesome. I love my mission, the people, the food, the friends, everything. But I also love you all! Stay awesome.
Peace,
LMX
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Fajitas and Fanta
Hello from Sur America (btw here they teach that the Americas are one continent, so they look at you as if you were elephant speaking French if you tell them you're from America, because, they are too, it's not a country just a continent).
So Saturday was zone meeting. I met the rest of my zone and we had a meeting and talks from the leaders, and then we got mail! Three letters, holla at yo boi. After the meeting Elder Abraham and I were walking back to the bus terminal very hungry (twas five in the afternoon and we didn't have time for breakfast in order to get to our bus on time to get to Córdoba). We pass this big building called Dino Saurio Mall. My companion informs me all malls have a Burger King and he could go for a burger, I'm still trying to indulge in my Argentine foods but was very hungered and was not going to argue. Well they didn't have a Burger King. That morning as we were trekking to our zone meeting I was reminiscing of rice and beans and tortillas (none of which exist here). My comp reassured me that I needed to stop complaining and it would be a good idea to forget about mexican food because it simple didn't exist in Argentina. Well forget about Burger King, Dino Saurio had a lil place with fajitas!! For 22 pesos (cheaper than BK). Also, this was the first place Abraham has been to that serves refills. So my second week in and I know where to go for food and refills! Good day.
The following day was Stake Conference, so I got to ride a colectivo to Córdoba again! w00t. It was good, the accents are still hard to understand but I'm doing a little better, especially when gringos speak. President Olsen spoke and I got it all. Not only was yesterday Conferencía de Estaca but día de la madre as well! So, although you're not in Argentina, feliz día de la madre Mom! :)
The weather comes and goes. It's usually hot during the day and cold at night. It's cold every morning when I get up but Argentines are crazy. It'll be hot, I'll be sweating as I walk around, and they wear sweaters, I don't get it. Maybe I'll change and be like them when I get home though so Phoenix will be a lil more bearable. And as for pretty...it's flat with no vegetation, so not really, no, it's not pretty. At least between where I'm at and the big city of Córdoba at least.
Elder Abraham had been in the area for five weeks before I showed up. It's a new area, just like where I was in Balmer, it's also one of the wealthiest parts of Argentina, just like where I was in Balmer. And we don't do dinner appointments. The Argentine schedule is wake up at eight or so and work till twelve, eat a big lunch (main meal of the day) and take a big nap. Then return to work somewhere around five of six, and work till nine, then eat a dinner which isn't really much. There are four families in the ward and three of them feed us lunch every week. And one night we were visiting an investigator (one of our two, nobody is receptive similar to Balmer) who started cooking dinner and fed us, so three/four times a week. I cook myself a lot eggs (they're cheap and easy), pasta (but the sauce isn't as good), and Elder Abraham loves cooking deserts, and since we're one of the few pensiones with an oven he makes breads and tortas and stuff. We have a mini fridge and live across the street from a member's store so we go there every day since the only thing they sell in quantities large enough to last more than a day is eggs. I love their milk, but it comes in tiny bags that suffice for two bowls of cereal. This week we're gonna have an asado!! That's an Argentine bbq were you use carbón (what they made at the Coke Ovens) and cook a ton of meat. According to my trusty comp we're gonna have more food than we can handle for thirty pesos. I'm stoked.
Okay, time for the end of this ridonculously long email after I give you some exciting news!! There is an incredible young man named Eduardo in my ward (but he lives in another town so we don't see him enough :/), well he has been a member since he was a child but went inactive since his family wasn't in the church. Well, recently his mother and sister were baptized and came to conference with us, and this Saturday his dad is getting baptized. Eduardo is one of my favorite people I've met since my quest began back in julio and I'm excited for him and his family and his dad. Oh but wait, there's more. Sunday not only are we having a confirmation of Eduardo padre (senior) but Eduardo hijo (junior) is receiving the big MP. It's way awesome and I'm excited for him and his family, it will be a big blessing and this weekend is going to be amazing.
Well, that's it for now. I love you guys and Imma be emailin yall in seven days time.
Paz y amor.
LMX
So Saturday was zone meeting. I met the rest of my zone and we had a meeting and talks from the leaders, and then we got mail! Three letters, holla at yo boi. After the meeting Elder Abraham and I were walking back to the bus terminal very hungry (twas five in the afternoon and we didn't have time for breakfast in order to get to our bus on time to get to Córdoba). We pass this big building called Dino Saurio Mall. My companion informs me all malls have a Burger King and he could go for a burger, I'm still trying to indulge in my Argentine foods but was very hungered and was not going to argue. Well they didn't have a Burger King. That morning as we were trekking to our zone meeting I was reminiscing of rice and beans and tortillas (none of which exist here). My comp reassured me that I needed to stop complaining and it would be a good idea to forget about mexican food because it simple didn't exist in Argentina. Well forget about Burger King, Dino Saurio had a lil place with fajitas!! For 22 pesos (cheaper than BK). Also, this was the first place Abraham has been to that serves refills. So my second week in and I know where to go for food and refills! Good day.
The following day was Stake Conference, so I got to ride a colectivo to Córdoba again! w00t. It was good, the accents are still hard to understand but I'm doing a little better, especially when gringos speak. President Olsen spoke and I got it all. Not only was yesterday Conferencía de Estaca but día de la madre as well! So, although you're not in Argentina, feliz día de la madre Mom! :)
The weather comes and goes. It's usually hot during the day and cold at night. It's cold every morning when I get up but Argentines are crazy. It'll be hot, I'll be sweating as I walk around, and they wear sweaters, I don't get it. Maybe I'll change and be like them when I get home though so Phoenix will be a lil more bearable. And as for pretty...it's flat with no vegetation, so not really, no, it's not pretty. At least between where I'm at and the big city of Córdoba at least.
Elder Abraham had been in the area for five weeks before I showed up. It's a new area, just like where I was in Balmer, it's also one of the wealthiest parts of Argentina, just like where I was in Balmer. And we don't do dinner appointments. The Argentine schedule is wake up at eight or so and work till twelve, eat a big lunch (main meal of the day) and take a big nap. Then return to work somewhere around five of six, and work till nine, then eat a dinner which isn't really much. There are four families in the ward and three of them feed us lunch every week. And one night we were visiting an investigator (one of our two, nobody is receptive similar to Balmer) who started cooking dinner and fed us, so three/four times a week. I cook myself a lot eggs (they're cheap and easy), pasta (but the sauce isn't as good), and Elder Abraham loves cooking deserts, and since we're one of the few pensiones with an oven he makes breads and tortas and stuff. We have a mini fridge and live across the street from a member's store so we go there every day since the only thing they sell in quantities large enough to last more than a day is eggs. I love their milk, but it comes in tiny bags that suffice for two bowls of cereal. This week we're gonna have an asado!! That's an Argentine bbq were you use carbón (what they made at the Coke Ovens) and cook a ton of meat. According to my trusty comp we're gonna have more food than we can handle for thirty pesos. I'm stoked.
Okay, time for the end of this ridonculously long email after I give you some exciting news!! There is an incredible young man named Eduardo in my ward (but he lives in another town so we don't see him enough :/), well he has been a member since he was a child but went inactive since his family wasn't in the church. Well, recently his mother and sister were baptized and came to conference with us, and this Saturday his dad is getting baptized. Eduardo is one of my favorite people I've met since my quest began back in julio and I'm excited for him and his family and his dad. Oh but wait, there's more. Sunday not only are we having a confirmation of Eduardo padre (senior) but Eduardo hijo (junior) is receiving the big MP. It's way awesome and I'm excited for him and his family, it will be a big blessing and this weekend is going to be amazing.
Well, that's it for now. I love you guys and Imma be emailin yall in seven days time.
Paz y amor.
LMX
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Dulce (sweet)
Answer time: my Spanish is weaksauce. I can understand and speak to my companion and other gringos, but the accent of natives messes with me and I have a hard time, but it's only been a week, what did you expect?
Yes we walk everywhere. The town isn't too big but we will walk to all four edges in a day, it's cool, because even though our success is nonexistent it feels like we're accomplishing something because of how far we walk and how tired I get (just like the guy in Buenos Aires told me).
It's much too hot to wear a jacket outside, so the answer to if I wear a jacket all the time or only in meetings is, only in meetings.
I sleep about three hours a night because the dogs don't stop barking and the houses do not block sound, they are kinda like a real sturdy tent.
Church was awesome. There were twenty one people (including Elder Abraham and I). When people walk in it's like a big family reunion, everyone is greeted with hugs and kisses from every person. It was testimony meeting, and as Presidente Daniele was conducting he mentioned that there was a new missionary "whose name he was not going to try pronouncing because even when I coach him through it he can't get it right" and everybody was looking forward to hearing his testimony. So I got up first and in butchered castellano (they look at you funny if you call it Spanish) I bore my testimony and told everyone how to say Lamoreaux. The joke amongst all nineteen members is to call me Elder Lamer - say something funny sounding. But after I was done every member of the branch bore their testimony (except Benjamin, he's 1). We hung out for awhile after church then I had lunch at the familia Abate Daga's house. When they said I got to ride in the back of the truck on the way to their house I shouted "dulce", literally translated it means "sweet" but it's not an expression down here and Hermana Abate Daga started going crazy saying whats this and stuff but then after lunch she was saying it.
Another funny language mix up: I was eating with the familia Daniele and they asked about my family (which reminds me everybody wants to see pictures of my family so send me some, I can be in them too if you want, or not, just send me pictures!!). I said everybody and lil about them and then said I was "el mejor" (best) instead of "el mayor" (oldest) everyone laughed and the eldest son present (the other is serving in Texas) said he was "el mejor" as well.
And no it's not a Cyber Café, it is a business where all it is is a room filled with computers, there are several around town, in every town. And it's spelled ciber, I apologize for the poor grammar.
So some fun cultural differences for the week: laundry is done in a bucket by hand. Cars drive around town advertising stuff through large speakers they have bungeed to their roofs. Dulce de leche is possibly the best food ever invented, I put it on foods from bananas to bread to hamburgers (that one wasn't my best idea).
About mail...I get it once a transfer at zone conferences, so hopefully I'll have some by then.Well that's about it. I've yet to teach a lesson. People use the same excuses and stuff here that they do in Baltimore, but I still enjoy it, I just want one person to listen.
Love you guys, catch ya later.
LMX
Yes we walk everywhere. The town isn't too big but we will walk to all four edges in a day, it's cool, because even though our success is nonexistent it feels like we're accomplishing something because of how far we walk and how tired I get (just like the guy in Buenos Aires told me).
It's much too hot to wear a jacket outside, so the answer to if I wear a jacket all the time or only in meetings is, only in meetings.
I sleep about three hours a night because the dogs don't stop barking and the houses do not block sound, they are kinda like a real sturdy tent.
Church was awesome. There were twenty one people (including Elder Abraham and I). When people walk in it's like a big family reunion, everyone is greeted with hugs and kisses from every person. It was testimony meeting, and as Presidente Daniele was conducting he mentioned that there was a new missionary "whose name he was not going to try pronouncing because even when I coach him through it he can't get it right" and everybody was looking forward to hearing his testimony. So I got up first and in butchered castellano (they look at you funny if you call it Spanish) I bore my testimony and told everyone how to say Lamoreaux. The joke amongst all nineteen members is to call me Elder Lamer - say something funny sounding. But after I was done every member of the branch bore their testimony (except Benjamin, he's 1). We hung out for awhile after church then I had lunch at the familia Abate Daga's house. When they said I got to ride in the back of the truck on the way to their house I shouted "dulce", literally translated it means "sweet" but it's not an expression down here and Hermana Abate Daga started going crazy saying whats this and stuff but then after lunch she was saying it.
Another funny language mix up: I was eating with the familia Daniele and they asked about my family (which reminds me everybody wants to see pictures of my family so send me some, I can be in them too if you want, or not, just send me pictures!!). I said everybody and lil about them and then said I was "el mejor" (best) instead of "el mayor" (oldest) everyone laughed and the eldest son present (the other is serving in Texas) said he was "el mejor" as well.
And no it's not a Cyber Café, it is a business where all it is is a room filled with computers, there are several around town, in every town. And it's spelled ciber, I apologize for the poor grammar.
So some fun cultural differences for the week: laundry is done in a bucket by hand. Cars drive around town advertising stuff through large speakers they have bungeed to their roofs. Dulce de leche is possibly the best food ever invented, I put it on foods from bananas to bread to hamburgers (that one wasn't my best idea).
About mail...I get it once a transfer at zone conferences, so hopefully I'll have some by then.Well that's about it. I've yet to teach a lesson. People use the same excuses and stuff here that they do in Baltimore, but I still enjoy it, I just want one person to listen.
Love you guys, catch ya later.
LMX
Monday, October 5, 2009
los primeros días (The First Days)
Hey everybody!!'
Tis Monday and I guess you would like to know of how these first couple days have been. Here is a brief summary:
Thursday night I made the tenish hour flight to Buenos Aires. I sat between two Spanish speakers so I practiced a little, but it was the middle of the night and they were watching the movies and stuff. I landed safely, got all my luggage without a problem and looked around for a fellow named Alberto. I found him and he gave us some papers and took some papers and we waited awhile in the airport until he told us to leave all our stuff we were going to the temple to wait for other missionaries. We went to the temple, ate breakfast, went to the temple, ate lunch and left. One of the men in the cafeteria across the street asked if we were hungry, I replied with more or less, he said, "No no no. Los misioneros buenos siempre están cansados y siempre tienen hambre. Uds. son élderes buenos, tienen hambre." (No no no. The good missionaries are always tired and always hungry. Elders you are good, you are hungry.) Those of us who understood laughed and were in good spirits.
The other missionaries showed up including Élder Blackhorse (a friend from Phoenix) and we all got on a little bus to go to another airport. Out of all of us there were three different missions, those going to Bahía Blanca left us, then Salta, then all of us for Córdoba (Lambchops included, Elder Lamb). We missed the flight we were supposed to take so a guy from the church was there trying to help us out, we were running around like crazy trying to get all these flights. Five of us ended up on standby but then somehow this guy ran off and came back with a couple tickets for three more of us and they all left for their flight to Córdoba. Lamb and I had to take another flight (1523, I know), so we were gonna be late. Well as we were walking to our gate we pass all the other guys whose flight was delayed. We boarded this sketch Argentine plane but it got us there. President and Hermana Olsen were there waiting for us. I had a chat with President Olsen in a Catholic airport chapel, 'twas interesting. In time the others showed up putting us all only three hours behind schedule.
We drove to the mission office (traffic boggles my mind) where we got a rundown on the mish, had dinner, met our trainers, and left for home. I took a long bus ride from Córdoba to Oncativo and finally got home around 12:30. I was dead tired after having not slept for a couple days (my last night in Baltimore and the night on the plane).
Then I spent most of Saturday in the cyber watching conference in English, but the connection sucked and I really didn't get to watch much, and I didn't get to watch Priestood session. Sunday morning we to the family Abate Daga's house. The four of them and the two of us ate an awesome lunch (the main meal down here) and then the branch president and his family of five showed up and the eleven of us crammed into a small house and watched the morning session on a twelve inch computer screen. It was awesome though!! I loved both families, and after having met them and the man that owns a tienda (store) across the street from our pensión (home) I know half the branch in two days. Everything I've eaten has been way good except bread pudding :/ The good stuff was pizza pasta empenadas weird chicken sandwich thing and breakfast pastries it's all been way good except the bread pudding. Their pizza and pasta is a little different than what were used to but still good.
That afternoon we watched (or tried to) the afternoon session in the cyber again.
The people here are way nice but speak way fast. In Córdoba they did sound like they were singing, here, not as many people do. The dogs are not the domesticated best friend they are back home, they're everywhere and it's weird haha but cool. Everybody and their mother drives a "moto" but the biggest displacement I've seen is a 200cc motorcylce. I'm getting better at military time. It's def different but I like it and I haven't really had shock, I just smile and love everything that's different.
My comp is from a tiny town near Cody, WY. He's served in sixish areas. Missionaries have been here since '06 I believe but it wasn't its own area until four weeks ago. It was covered by the same missionaries who served in Rio Segundo as well (which is an hour away) so now that we live here it should start doing a little better. I'm excited for church, it's in a business building!
Alright, if you have anymore questions shootem at me. I love you all and I'll catch ya later.
Con amor,
LMX
Tis Monday and I guess you would like to know of how these first couple days have been. Here is a brief summary:
Thursday night I made the tenish hour flight to Buenos Aires. I sat between two Spanish speakers so I practiced a little, but it was the middle of the night and they were watching the movies and stuff. I landed safely, got all my luggage without a problem and looked around for a fellow named Alberto. I found him and he gave us some papers and took some papers and we waited awhile in the airport until he told us to leave all our stuff we were going to the temple to wait for other missionaries. We went to the temple, ate breakfast, went to the temple, ate lunch and left. One of the men in the cafeteria across the street asked if we were hungry, I replied with more or less, he said, "No no no. Los misioneros buenos siempre están cansados y siempre tienen hambre. Uds. son élderes buenos, tienen hambre." (No no no. The good missionaries are always tired and always hungry. Elders you are good, you are hungry.) Those of us who understood laughed and were in good spirits.
The other missionaries showed up including Élder Blackhorse (a friend from Phoenix) and we all got on a little bus to go to another airport. Out of all of us there were three different missions, those going to Bahía Blanca left us, then Salta, then all of us for Córdoba (Lambchops included, Elder Lamb). We missed the flight we were supposed to take so a guy from the church was there trying to help us out, we were running around like crazy trying to get all these flights. Five of us ended up on standby but then somehow this guy ran off and came back with a couple tickets for three more of us and they all left for their flight to Córdoba. Lamb and I had to take another flight (1523, I know), so we were gonna be late. Well as we were walking to our gate we pass all the other guys whose flight was delayed. We boarded this sketch Argentine plane but it got us there. President and Hermana Olsen were there waiting for us. I had a chat with President Olsen in a Catholic airport chapel, 'twas interesting. In time the others showed up putting us all only three hours behind schedule.
We drove to the mission office (traffic boggles my mind) where we got a rundown on the mish, had dinner, met our trainers, and left for home. I took a long bus ride from Córdoba to Oncativo and finally got home around 12:30. I was dead tired after having not slept for a couple days (my last night in Baltimore and the night on the plane).
Then I spent most of Saturday in the cyber watching conference in English, but the connection sucked and I really didn't get to watch much, and I didn't get to watch Priestood session. Sunday morning we to the family Abate Daga's house. The four of them and the two of us ate an awesome lunch (the main meal down here) and then the branch president and his family of five showed up and the eleven of us crammed into a small house and watched the morning session on a twelve inch computer screen. It was awesome though!! I loved both families, and after having met them and the man that owns a tienda (store) across the street from our pensión (home) I know half the branch in two days. Everything I've eaten has been way good except bread pudding :/ The good stuff was pizza pasta empenadas weird chicken sandwich thing and breakfast pastries it's all been way good except the bread pudding. Their pizza and pasta is a little different than what were used to but still good.
That afternoon we watched (or tried to) the afternoon session in the cyber again.
The people here are way nice but speak way fast. In Córdoba they did sound like they were singing, here, not as many people do. The dogs are not the domesticated best friend they are back home, they're everywhere and it's weird haha but cool. Everybody and their mother drives a "moto" but the biggest displacement I've seen is a 200cc motorcylce. I'm getting better at military time. It's def different but I like it and I haven't really had shock, I just smile and love everything that's different.
My comp is from a tiny town near Cody, WY. He's served in sixish areas. Missionaries have been here since '06 I believe but it wasn't its own area until four weeks ago. It was covered by the same missionaries who served in Rio Segundo as well (which is an hour away) so now that we live here it should start doing a little better. I'm excited for church, it's in a business building!
Alright, if you have anymore questions shootem at me. I love you all and I'll catch ya later.
Con amor,
LMX
Saturday, October 3, 2009
¡Viva Argentina!
So I made it! I´m in Argentina, for 21 months. It´s crazy. After three airplanes a lot of confusion, a Spanish temple session in Buenos Aires and a long bus ride I´m in my first area, Oncativo. It´s a small town outside Córdoba by an hour and a half or so. My comp is Elder Shae Abraham, from small town in Wyoming and has 18 months under his belt. I woke up in the middle of the night and had no idea where I was and when it hit me I was in Argentina and I would be for some time. I got excited but it was weird to think about lol. So it´s definitely different here. It's much different here (obviously) but I'm loving it thus far. I'll share more Monday (p day) but for now I'll give you a rundown on my pensión (apartment). It's humble. Nobody has carpet down here it's all tile and crazy dusty but cool. There is no bath tub just a shower head off the wall in the bathroom a drain in the center of the bathroom floor and a squeegee to scoop it all to the center when you're done, it's way cool :). I haven't spoken to a whole lot of people but these folks speak much faster than those in Ballmer. There are more dirty stray dogs than there are at Havasupi. Traffic/driving is crazy I don't know how they don't hit people, cars, or dogs when driving. But it's fun, I'm excited, and I'm safe.
I'm in a "cyber" watching conference, because I´m in a town with fifteen members and there´s no church building (we meet in an office building) so we are watching it online for two days.
I'm so happy and grateful I have this opportunity.
Paz y amor (Peace and Love),
LMX
I'm in a "cyber" watching conference, because I´m in a town with fifteen members and there´s no church building (we meet in an office building) so we are watching it online for two days.
I'm so happy and grateful I have this opportunity.
Paz y amor (Peace and Love),
LMX
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Visizzle...My Visa Arrived
My visa came!! Last night at tenish Pres gave me a call and after the friendly "how are you"s he cut the point and said "you're leaving" I couldn't believe it. I thought he was calling to rebuke us for going over our alloted car miles or something, the thought of a visa didn't even occur, but it's here.
My flight to Miami leaves at three thirty. From Miami I fly to Buenos Aires and will arrive at six thirty in the morning. I don't know any other details, but I'll be able to call from one of the airports tomorrow probably around twoish so eleven AZ time if I'm correct. Hopefully I can talk to someone. And I have a travel companion because Elder Lamb got his visa too! It'll be long but fun and I'm super excited :)
I've really enjoyed my month in the MD but Cordoba is waiting.
Talk to you soon, literally,
- LMX
ps I was excited to watch Conference in English but now Imma see/hear in Spanish only, hope I can follow and learn something good.
My flight to Miami leaves at three thirty. From Miami I fly to Buenos Aires and will arrive at six thirty in the morning. I don't know any other details, but I'll be able to call from one of the airports tomorrow probably around twoish so eleven AZ time if I'm correct. Hopefully I can talk to someone. And I have a travel companion because Elder Lamb got his visa too! It'll be long but fun and I'm super excited :)
I've really enjoyed my month in the MD but Cordoba is waiting.
Talk to you soon, literally,
- LMX
ps I was excited to watch Conference in English but now Imma see/hear in Spanish only, hope I can follow and learn something good.
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