Santiago Summer Continues

Santiago Summer Continues . . . 

and some things never change, such as our trips to Lider Express, our local grocery store where baggers expect a small tip, shoppers weigh and mark own produce, and where we can find most items we are used to at home. We have lots of busloads of people from a distance as well as local Santiaguenos at the temple. Some of the streets are closed on Sundays for all the joggers, cyclists, families pushing strollers. It is a safe and pleasant fairly affluent neighborhood, on the surface much like home. People are polite and helpful, most things run"on-time." Two favorite trips this past week have been to Vina del Mar and to Santiago's La Moneda Palace (changing of the guard and Rome exhibit). 

Yesterday (Monday, January 29, a few of us took the metro then the bus 1 hour and 40 minutes to Vina del Mar, northwest of Santiago) for a fun day. Vina is know for its beautiful parks, manicured subtropical boulevards lined with palm trees. It was the hacienda of the prominent Carrera family who sold it to a Portuguese businessman in the mid-19th century. It became the playground of wealthy Valparaiso residents, who built elaborate Victorian mansions which today have either been restored or fallen into ruins, The beach is popular, but water very cold! We enjoyed a delicious traditional lunch under the trees at a sidewalk restaurant. See the link for more photos of Santiago and Vina del Mar: 

Pablo Neruda and Gabriel Mistral, NobelPrize winning beloved poets of Chile are honored in the Quinta Vergara park in Vina del Mar, as everywhere.

Down Libertad Boulevard in Vina towards the Plaza Mayor

We enjoyed our p-day trip to Vina del Mar yesterday, via bus northwest of Santiago, and twin city to the flamboyant Valparaiso. The beach in Vina is popular,

Rocky shore with lots of pelicans. Humboldt Current keeps the sea very cold!

Plaza Mayor

Casino of the Del Mar Hotel is a bit run-down

Castillo Ross 1908

                                                                                Vina del Mar's famous clock

made of flowers

In Vina, the Hurleys, Schultzes and I met two great sisters from Texas and Guatemala serving in Vina del Mar. 

Lider Express checkout

The Changing of the Guard by "Carabineros (military police) takes place every second day and lasts from about 10-10:30. The band plays military and other music and is quite spectacular. 

Laocoan and others are mostly reproductions, but well-done. I especially enjoyed the sarcophagi. 

On our way to the metro we enjoy the shady canopy of Pedro de Valdivia street and the universities and beautiful homes that are sometimes now embassies (below is the Embassy of Uruguay), schools, the University of Chile (below) and various businesses

     

It is always exciting to watch the exuberance of the full-time missionaries as they finish 3 or 6 weeks training before they go out to serve in various parts of Chile. They are young and fun-loving, but well-prepared to serve the Lord, to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They have a new and wonderful MTC President Carmack and his lovely wife.

Life is good. I continue to learn about the people of Chile who love their progressive democratic country and hope for the best in president elect Pinera, who takes over soon from current popular President Michele Bachelet. I love serving in the temple,balanced by working with Pathways English learners (great young people) and the chance to travel and visits sites of interest. We should be busy this week as the temple closes for the next two weeks for maintenance every 6 months. 

I'm thrilled that my daughter Anne has announced her engagement to Neil Chandler and will have a summer wedding in England, where Neil is from. I love and miss my growing family, especially as their lives change so quickly at this stage. I love you, my friends near and far, and am grateful that I can keep learning from those I meet, for you who have and continue to serve and support me. I know the Lord loves each of us and wants us to look to the future with optimism and faith.

Summer days in Santiago

Summer is very pleasant here, bringing members to the temple from northern and southern Chile, Brazil, Argentina and other parts of the world. There is always someone who knows someone we know somewhere. This week we have the annual (?) visit from the temple department, so I am hoping to get a recliner or some comfortable chair, a smaller bed and maybe even an oven! I feel hampered when I can't bake cookies (a toaster oven does not work)! Otherwise I have no complaints. I love my Pathway English students, my fellow temple workers and the other missionaries. There are subtle cultural differences in Chile I'm learning as I interact and observe and read a book on these differences, but I feel very much at home. This week I will just give the link to my photos of places close by, as I have labeled them. Please click on the link: 
https://photos.app.goo.gl/NtIRVfrx7ISMmsDC2
We have been saddened by the passing of President Monson, but grateful for our new President Russell M. Nelson, who still skis and bounds up the stairs at age 93, has served as a church general authority for many years after a brilliant career as a world-renowned heart surgeon, and is beloved, wise, so optimistic, and admired by all who know him. His counselors are Dallin Oaks, former BYU president, and member of Utah Supreme Court, and Henry B. Eyring, continuing member of the First Presidency, educator and former President of BYU Idaho. The church is in great hands and the transition is very smooth. These men are inspired by God and share their wisdom with us. Our leaders at many levels travel widely and are constantly in touch and aware of the needs of people all over the world.

I appreciate the opportunity to be here in this beautiful country, as well as your tangible love, support and interest. Thank you. Bless you in your daily challenges and joys.
Love,
Hermana Miriam

A Week of Big Changes

President and Sister Brady have been wonderful, dedicated, beloved Missionary Training Presidents for the past two years. Jerry and Leslie Carmack from SLC will take their place tomorrow. Currently there are about 60 missionaries. Our senior missionaries gathered to say good-bye, as they leave to return home to Orem, Utah. They were previously mission presidents in Southern California. Below: The Bradys, Poulsens, Isaacsons, Enkes, Jensens, Sister Schultz, Sister Umber, Muntzings, Hurleys, Atkins, Downer and Walker. Brother Schutz and Sister de Schweinitz taking photos. Some are temple missionaries, some have medical, humanitarian, and other assignments. We often all get gather for special activities. It's a great group!

The young Latin American missionaries who arrived with me, and with whom we celebrated Christmas and greeted every day on the temple grounds and in the hostal, have "graduated" from their three weeks of training and are now in the "field." They are young but prepared, nervous but excited to go out to do what they were called to do. The non-native Spanish speakers stay an additional three weeks to improve their language skills. These pictured are assigned to Vina del Mar, north and on the coast. Those finishing their missions in Vina del Mar came to the temple right before going home that day, also. They are radiant and smiling either way. New missionaries arrive almost weekly and learn quickly.
We spend most of our time and energy at the temple, but go out in our pleasant neighborhood for errands, walks, etc.

This is the closest "caracol" a shopping center shaped like a snail, thus its name.

There are no mailboxes on the street, so we have to buy stamps, and mail anything in the caracol
post office, which is quite small and inefficient and expensive. There are many parks with benches and exercise equipment, and playgrounds. Most people live in beautiful apartments with nice gardens in our part of town, Providencia, though there are also lovely large homes, which look quite European, especially German. There are several universities and cultural centers. This week there is a very large antique show at one center.

Two elders leaving the MTC (training center) for Vina del Mar. Large group leaving for Vina.

 Group leaving for Vina del Mar. They are wonderful young people (mostly ages 18-20).

New arrivals here for various Chile missions. One engaged couple coincidentally came the same day, but will be serving in far apart missions. They had planned to marry, but had decided missions would better prepare them for married life and adulthood,

We have been saddened by the passing last week of our beloved, humble Prophet and Church President Thomas Spencer Monson, who died at age 90 after a lifetime of selfless service and wise leadership, for which we are so grateful. We have been inspired by the messages and honor paid him by his associates. Our new president and his counselors will be announced tomorrow, January 16. The transition is always smooth, done in an orderly way, as the senior apostle is usually chosen to lead the LDS church.
Chile as a country will be busy tomorrow, also, as Pope Francis is here for 2 days, the first visit of a pope since John Paul 2's visit to Chile in 1987. He will also go to Peru. Security is tight as there are always protesters who dislike some policies and practices of the Catholic Church.

I have begun helping s few students with English. I learn from them, they hopefully learn from me as they work on their goals to enter various programs and careers. I was also thrilled to see one of my English students from Ecuador, who came to the temple a few days ago before returning home to Ecuador after serving 18 months in Osorno, Chile. It is always a small world, where friendships continue as we open our hearts and lives to others.
May you have a great week. Serve and forgive others, take time to learn, enjoy the small and simple things that delight you, do your best but continue to evaluate your priorities. The Lord will bless, inspire, comfort and guide you, I hope and pray.
Love,
Hermana Miriam

Santiago's Cerro San Cristobal

Santiago's Cerro (hill) San Cristobal
....is the largest urban park in South America, with a large white statue of the Virgin Mary (symbol of Santiago), a sanctuary and chapel, a large zoo with more than 1,000 animals of 158 species, a large pool, and several cafes. It has a funicular, but we hiked up it the steep hills starting early Monday morning, our preparation day, to avoid the midday heat. It was a bit strenuous, but worth the view of Santiago, which is a huge sprawling city of 7.3 million people. Unfortunately it was too smoggy to see well the higher snow-covered Andes.  We will hope for another clearer day. In the 1920's wealthy Santiagans drove their cars most of the way and took a tram (the cars and wheel works are being restored) up to the "Roof Garden" to dance, eat at a posh restaurant on the terrace with a spectacular view. It was a great trip! Neil and Vickie Hurley and Alma Umber on the bridge with Costanera Tower (highest in Latin America: 300 meters) and very muddy Rio Mapocho behind.

After our long hike and visit to the "prayer wall" and sanctuaries, we sat at a cafe and I tried the/a national drink, mote de huesillo (a sweet juice made of dried peaches, wheat, water) (not too bad!), visited the "roof garden" with my headless date, and wound our way down the hill past the large beautiful pool where I would like to have taken a swim. I have not yet found a place to swim I can afford! My main form of exercise here will have to be walking, I guess. There were many bikers sweating their way up the hill. In the evenings when it cools off, their are bikers, runners, and families with children in the many lovely parks and playgrounds all around us. It stays light until almost 9:30 PM.

Down below, Santiago is filled with restaurants and cafes along the tree-shaded streets . Our main street is Pedro de Valdivia ( president who subdued the Mapuches in the south and founded Santiago in 1541. By his death at their hands in 1553, he had founded a new society, with many settlements).

Northeast Santiago. We live off to the right. I could barely make out the Andes with snow through those clouds.

in the 1920's on the Roof Garden

Vickie Hurley and more of Santiago

Everything is back to "normal" after the holidays. We are working hard at the temple, trying to learn names, connecting with young students and working people who would like help in English as tutor and "speaking partner." Pathways is a three semester program which prepares young LDS for BYU online or the TOEFL test. I have enjoyed helping in the past and also love learning their culture from them. I'm enjoying the other missionaries and feeling happy and comfortable in my new temporary home. I'm delighted to occasionally use my French and hope my Spanish is improving, especially my listening ability as the speed and accent are challenging! I'm grateful for the opportunity to keep learning at my age. 

Happy New Year 2018!

Can you see the snow-covered Andes through the fog? (on our way to and from the coast by comfortable buses. Transportation in Chile is great.

We ended the old year with lots of parties given by many of the temple shifts, a game night with senior missionaries, a bus trip to the beach (very foggy, the roads crowded with all of Santiago heading out of town, carnivals) and fireworks, and a quiet weekend at the temple housing, except for the ever-lively missionaries in training looking for some fun!

Beaches are mostly covered with interesting rocks, lots of seaweed and not safe for swimming

The land is rich in agriculture and much like much of California, but the snow covered Andes rise in the distance. I'm waiting for a clearer view of them.

 

I was excited to see the old historical center of Santiago on a 3 hour walking tour on January 1, 2018., which started on the Plaza de Armas at the cathedral. The city was mostly deserted today after a night of fireworks and revelry. Our guide was actually from Madrid so I could easily understand the Spanish and English he spoke to our large international group. So many of the buildings have been destroyed in the many earthquakes, wars, coup d'etats, etc. Today Chile is one of the most stable, progressive, successful Latin American countries, though it still relies very heavily on its chief export product, copper. 

Tribunal, court building in the center of Santiago. Although Santiago is still the capital, some government buildings have moved to Valparaiso, once the largest port (now it is San Antonio)

Presidential offices occupy La Moneda Palace, built in 1846 though in the past it was the home of presidents. It was badly damaged during the Pinochet coup d'etat during the end of Salvador Allende's short term (1970-1973)

I may be down near the bottom of the world, but life is comfortable here in Santiago, I am enjoying meeting many people, find people who know people I know every few days, which always amazes me, gain new perspectives and see more closely things I had only read about or imagined.  I see miracles and the hand of the Lord in the lives of people here.