We arrived in
Buenos Aires and stayed with the
Bentons over night, and left in the morning by ferry to
Colonia Uruguay, across the Rio
de la
Plata. We took this picture at the top of a hotel in
Buenos Aires. The city is huge, 3 million inside the city and 10 million in the metropolitan area, making it one of the 10 most populated urban centers in the world.
It has taken him 37 years, but Jim is finally on the shores of his first mission (Uruguay/Paraguay in the old days). It was nostalgic to be back and for him to remember the familiar landscape and people. Memories flooded back as he spoke of his various escapades, and also the dangers that existed back then. It made me very happy to hear him speak in almost
reverenced tones about the experience that changed his life and started him on a firm foundation in the church.
President and I in our casual clothing, arriving in
Colonia Uruguay. The Sheraton we stayed in was lovely, right on the Rio
de la
Plata. The river separates Uruguay from Argentina, and we traveled about 30 miles by boat, but the largest span is 137 miles wide at the mouth where it opens into the Atlantic Ocean. This picture just doesn't look quite right with the brown water behind us. I am so use to the blue water of the ocean.
Iglesia Matriz, the oldest church in Uruguay dating from 1695-99. Inside the church on the wall near the altar were little silver charms of arms, legs, feet etc. They were presented to the church by patrons who were healed by the various Saints. These charms represented the portion of the body that had been healed.
This street is a typical street in the historic city. Notice how irregular the cobblestone street is. Some of the stone looks like petrified wood they are so old. I am with our dear friends Pres. and Sister Benton from BA West Mission, one of the presidents that came out with us in July 2008.
Puerta de la
Ciudadela, is a drawbridge built in 1745 by the governor to safeguard the walled city. This portion has been restored, which leads to the historic district.
Vendimia is a celebration of the grape harvest. It is an event that brings tourists from around the world. There is wine tasting, beauty queens, parades, concerts each night in the plaza, a huge program at the amphitheater, and nightly fireworks. These office Elders came to keep us laughing, (Elder Salmon, Stevenson, Williams), we bought cottom candy, and princess crowns (for Sister Jarvis, Brown, and myself not the Elders).
Each province of Mendoza was represented with their own colorful traditional clothing and beautiful horses. There were probably around 2,000 riders in the parade.
This picture was taken from our home, we just happen to live on the parade route. See the children with the baskets tied to a stick. That is for catching fruit being thrown from the floats.
Of course no parade is a parade without soldiers with guns! Well, these guns wouldn't hurt too much, I doubt they work. These soldiers are a representation of those who came into the valley in the early 1800's with San Martin from Chile. They battled against Spain to free the country. They had representations of the old canons and San Martin himself rode a mule looking horse to start off the parade. He was dressed in a gaucho hat and poncho. San Martin is probably the most important person to the people here in Argentina. There are busts of him in every city.
Notice the length of hair, the ropes, and knives tucked in their belts in the back. These are not the Rough Riders of Provo, these are REAL cowboys (just kidding RR's).
Traditional gauchos of Argentina were working cowboys who herded the cows in the pampas (grasslands) and were also hunters. This gaucho would represent the northern region. You can tell by his face that he is proud of his heritage.
There were numerous father and sons, some even younger than this boy. They each were well trained and efficent riders. You could tell they were raised on the back of a horse. It's hard to see, but the father and the son have light colored eyes. Very typical of the Europeans here in Mendoza.
Yes, there were even princesses. This picture is for my granddaughters. There were a few young ladies in the parade riding with their long skirts, a few rode side-saddle.
This is an example of their floats, pulled by semi trucks. Not exactly the Rose Parade, but it was colorful. Each of the 13 provinces had their own float and royal court. The young ladies threw grapes, plums, apples, melons from their floats (which ever fruit was grown in their area).
If you notice the horse poop in the street, you will understand why they needed those stilts (just kidding). If you would see the faces up close you would see that they were pretty scary guys. The kids loved them.
This picture is for my mom. This float made me chuckle. They had a float for the queens from years past. They each looked like they were really having a great time. These lovely ladies gently handed the fruit to the people, none of that throwing the fruit and having it land splat on the ground and go to waste.
As you all know Argentina is know for it's beef, well the other meat that they produce and sell is goat meat. It is popular in this region. Inside our mission boundaries is an area called Malargue. Each year they have a goat festival and kill and eat over 2,000 goats. This is the traditional way to cook and smoke the meat. Every fine restaurant in town has a window on the street where you can pass by and watch them barbeque their meat.
