Andrew tells us that every day from 1:00 to 5:00, everyone in their city takes a long afternoon nap! (Whoa! Why wasn't I born in Argentina?) All the stores close and almost all the people disappear into their houses. Even the dogs that are everywhere in Buenos Aires plop down in the shade and snooze. Not such a great time for missionaries to make contacts on the street, but they have found people are willing to make appointments to be taught during that time. No siestas for the missionaries!
Meal Time!
At first Andrew was a little alarmed by the fact that there seemed to be only one meal per day. He said it was like having Fast Sunday every day of the week! They get one gigantic lunch (I am assuming prepared for them by Church members there) (...and no wonder everyone needs a nap afterwards ...), then something small for dinner, like one hard-boiled egg. He and his companion finally made a trip to the grocery store and bought some plain but filling foods to give themselves some fuel for their busy days. He reports that the apples there are the very best he's ever had, with the perfect crunch and texture, and a delicious taste. I wonder what variety they are! Milk comes in a bag.
I learned that if you don´t ask for seconds when you´re eating at a member´s home, they´ll get offended. Also, that there is no such thing as ¨just a little bit more.¨ ¨Just a little¨ is the same thing as ¨A heaping plateful.¨ ;-) But it´s okay, because the food is all delicious. I´m just... super full!
His companion made some tortas fritas the other day (pictured above), which he found to be tasty and simple. They are similar to Native American Fry Bread, but more like a fried biscuit. Here's a link to the recipe if you thought you'd like to give them a try (but don't expect it to fit into your Weight Watchers cookbook ;-D ) southamericanfood.about.com
Manners
If you sneeze in Argentina, they say, ¨Salúd!¨ (Health!) If you sneeze again, they say ¨Plata!¨ (Money!) If you sneeze a third time, they say ¨Amor!¨(Love!) So if you sneeze three times in a row... you win!
Summertime Weather
The weather is really pretty hot. I have a better time with it than my companion, because I´m accustomed to the heat. But the humidity makes it worse! It´s only been really humid two days, but that was enough for me. I´m not looking forward to the winter too much. They tell me the winters are dark, cold and tough.
Church Meetings
His area has a "branch", which is similar to a ward, but much smaller. They meet in a Church building which is close to their apartment. They sit in chairs rather than pews, and there are no printed programs. There are about 40 active members (Yikes! Qué pequeño!) and about 150 members who do not attend. They meet from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The missionaries teach the Gospel Doctrine class, which teaches basic principles of the Gospel. He says things at Church there are pretty much the same as back home.
Church Meetings
His area has a "branch", which is similar to a ward, but much smaller. They meet in a Church building which is close to their apartment. They sit in chairs rather than pews, and there are no printed programs. There are about 40 active members (Yikes! Qué pequeño!) and about 150 members who do not attend. They meet from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The missionaries teach the Gospel Doctrine class, which teaches basic principles of the Gospel. He says things at Church there are pretty much the same as back home.
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