Tramites in the Big City

Wahoo! I finally got to go to THE down town Buenos Aires (Retiro). It was incredible. Unfortunately, I didn't take my camera. Mrh. Maybe next time. 

Tramites

Since I am a gringo from the US, I have to do tramites to legally be in Argentina for 2 years. From my experience, I think tramites translates into some combination of paperwork, the government, and a lot of patience. We spent almost all day in the foreign embassy building getting my tramites done. (it would have taken longer but we get a lot of help from Elder Stafford who works in the mission office. I believe he is Sis. Tingey's nephew) 

My favorite part of that trip was the Retiro train station. It is a HUGE station that was just remodeled. The whole building is designed to look like old European architecture. It has stone statues, giant pillars, and a bunch of arches. It also has a Starbucks to remind you that you are in the 21st century. I didn't get any pictures but it is worth looking up. 

I also got to meet up with my gringo friends from the CCM. Elder Byers, Kane, Bellus and Drummond were there doing their tramites as well. We had a good time discussing what it's like to be missionaries.

Javier and Damiana

We found them two weeks ago knocking doors in the street. Our first contact with them included sharing the Book of Mormon and fending off one of their drunk neighbors. We didn't think they would want anything. However, we were wrong. When we came back, we had a very meaningful lesson about what Jesus Christ can do for families. Damiana expressed how much she wanted to help her children. Two of them have died in the past year. The other, her 30 year old son, was drunk outside during the lesson and has a habit of being so  (I'm sure Damiana and Javier feel responsible for this habit). Javier and Damiana were drunks and druggies themselves. Up until two weeks ago when we found them, they regularly drank and did cocaine. 

We have been able to help Damiana and Javier have hope in their lives again. Knowing of God's plan of happiness has shown Damiana how she can be with her children again. Repenting and accepting the atoning power of Jesus Christ has brought light into Javier's live. For the past fourteen days, they have both been free from the addicting power of drugs and alcohol. 

I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World because I witness His power in the lives of individual people. 

Food

My Chilean friend, Elder Tapia, introduced me to my new favorite snack, avocado and tuna. If you mash up avocado and eat it with tuna, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and bread it's really good. It's best with a kind of bread that we have here but I don't think it exists in the states and I can't find out what it's called. The closed thing I've got for a name is "pan de la Panadería" which just means bread from the bakery. 

We ate a Bolivian soup called sopa de maní with the bishop last Sunday. Does peanut bisque exist? If so, then that's what it is. 

I love you guys! Espero que todo esté bien en los Estados. 

Les quiero

Elder Smith

 The raw clam from last Monday

 Spoils from 11 (Once)

Villa Ballester from our rooftop this morning. 

I forgot to tell you about Once. Once is a shopping district in a different part of B. Aires. We went there to find out that all the street vendors had been kicked out. That was a little disappointing. But, Once is still has a ton of stores and sell stuff for really cheep. I got a Bolivian backpack, a River soccer jersey, a handmade mate cup, a Peruvian sweater, and some other little stuff. The sweater is made of the same fur that Dad's hats are made of.