Southern Part of the Mission

Andes Mountains that separate Argentina and Chile

   

El Bolsón

 We drove 9 hours from Neuquén, through the north part of the Patagonia, followed the Andes Mountain range that separates Argentina and Chile and through a little town in the southwest of the Río Negro Province called El Bolsón.  We thought that we would continue traveling through the Andes but were very surprised to be driving in a high desert, on a dirt road headed south for hundreds of miles.  I was just thinking how crazy our life is right now.  We were in the middle of nowhere, no cell service and in a foreign country, until out of nowhere we ended up in a beautiful little town in a valley surrounded by mountains, lakes and rivers called Esquel and is on the border of Argentina and Chile.  Esquel and Trevelin (20 Miles further south) is the very end of our mission in the province of Chubut.   They have 2 branches that we went to visit.  The little town was VERY busy.  We found out that it was an Argentinian holiday called “Childs day”.  They buy presents for their children and celebrate with a three-day weekend.  (sounded like Christmas to me hahaha) 

 

Esquel

We found a great little restaurant that served Argentina Pizza which is delicious.   They have very interesting toppings to choose from for example eggs, green olives & Jamón (thinly sliced ham like lunch meat) & fainá, a dense chickpea pancake like a dry piece of baked polenta.  

 

The Branch had a new Sister missionary that had been doing her MTC at home and needed to be set apart as a new missionary.  She is heading off to Mendoza, Argentina.  Steve gives a message in every ward or branch we visit and this time I also had to give a talk in Spanish……. I am getting used to having to say a few words.  I have a few small talks on my iPad, and they are all ready to read at any given moment!  

Everywhere we travel the people of Argentina are so warm and friendly.  Esquel was no different.  We are excited to go back in the Spring…..which we heard starts in September! Trevelin has campo de tulipanes one of the many touristy things to do. It looks BEAUTIFUL!