Mission Tour Part Two

We finished our tour of the mission and met all 144 of our missionaries. What a great experience. We traveled from the top to the bottom of the mission boundaries and spent a day in the high country called Calama. I feel like I can put a face with most of the names. Leland has them all down and created an excel sheet with their stats. His care and concern for them individually is truly inspiring to witness.

I didn´t take too many pics on this trip. But I´ve got three years to get this picture thing down. When my phone is working correctly I will be able to snap pics more quickly and easily.

Lunch with some of the Elders in Calama. I didn´t know what I ordered and it ended up being breaded and fried chicken with fries. It was pretty good. They serve rolls with butter and pebre (which is like pico de gallo) at most restaurants. It is delicious. And the cold diet coke in a bottle is pretty good too.

The hermanas from Caldera. They were sweethearts. It was freezing in this coastal community but I couldn´t wear my coat in another picture. Hermana Mayan´s next to Presidente is from Yorba Linda and is going home in three weeks. She can hardly speak English anymore.

The Hotel in Vallanar. It was the only hotel listed on the internet. When we arrived at midnight all I could see was the block wall surrounding the hotel. I was scared to stay here. By daylight it doesn´t look too bad.

The private parking at the hotel. Just drive to the side of the hotel and they´ll open the metal gate. And then follow the wood road to find your parking spot. At midnight this was scary and I thought we might be kidnapped.

Another view of the parking lot. These cars never made it out.

Covered parking on a dirt lot.

The sweet hotel manager, who opened and closed the gate, is a member of the Church and offered us the suite next time we are in town.

Breakfast is always served at the hotels here in Chile. Bread, toast, cheese, salami and ham with juice, sometimes pastries. I´m getting used to the meat and cheese on toast. I actually look forward to it now.

A quaint sitting area in the hotel. This place was actually really nice inside. The room was clean, although there was no heat. The room was off the busiest street in the town so we heard trucks driving by all night. Kind of reminded me of the Ortega. Worst part was no hot water in the morning so no shower for me. It wasn´t a good hair day, just so you know.

Last day of the tour and Presidente Bruce only had a short sleeved shirt to wear. This is a first for both of us. I giggled everytime he took off his coat. Of course he looks handsome but it´s just not him. He brought one of these gems on the mission and I don´t think he will ever wear it again, even if the temperature rises above 100.

I love our adventures here in Chile.