Back to the Temple today after two weeks of Vacation

Vacation is over, but the memories remain of a wonderful road trip and other excursions, which continue when I can fit them in...I bought this woodcarving showing symbols of Chile: volcanoes, copihue flowers, Mapuche with fish and musical instrument

After the changing of the guard at La Moneda, the Presidential Palace, I enjoyed a tour (which I booked a month ago as security clearance is required) of the less confidential parts of the interior. The President and four ministers have their offices there today (the other 19 ministers have offices nearby). Only the President may use the transition flag with the shield...used officially for only 4 years.

With independence in 1818, the Spanish "real" was replaced with the "peso" (today $1,000= about $1.60) and the shield of 1832 was adopted, showing the Chilean symbols: Condor, huemul (deer), copihue flower. Our guide explained that Chile honors the Mapuches with Mapuche art, the cinnamon tree (their native tree), and their use of the tree of life in so many art forms. They are still a large element of the Chilean population, though many live on "reservations" today. There is another large patio with orange trees and a very old fountain.

 

 

Our passports were kept until we finished the hour-long tour which was supposed to be in English but all the rest of the group were Brazilians, so it was done in Spanish. I got most of it, but....  

Allende did not finish his term (1970-6) as first democratically elected Marxist president anywhere. He died in his office here September 11, 1973. The details are uncertain, though the Chilean Supreme Court officially declared it a suicide. He was first buried in an unmarked spot in Vina del Mar, but was brought to the General Cemetery of Santiago in 1990, where his body rests with all the other Chilean presidents except Bernardo O'Higgins, who lies beneath the huge flag near the Moneda palace. O'Higgins was a wealthy land-owner of Irish and Spanish descent who led Chile's War of Independence and died in Peru in 1842. We are told it is better not to discuss politics, especially Allende/Pinochet with Chileans, as feelings still run strong. Much of the palace was destroyed and is no longer used as presidential residence. On Mondays the president is welcomed formally by the carabinero guards. The rest of the time she/he enters through private underground passageway. The tour was supposed to be in English but all the rest of the group were Brazilians, so it was done in Spanish.

In this reception room is a painting of Pedro de Valdivia's arrival in 1540. The  "Father of Chile" was killed by the Mapuches who believed that by eating his heart they would gain strength.

Changing of the guard has ended and the carabineros leave la Moneda palace

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We visited this beautiful Catholic Church. Until about 2000 Chile was officially an exclusively Catholic country, with Maria del Carmen as the (still) patron saint. During the dispute over Tierra del Fuego, which was and still is shared between Argentina and Chile (with England wanting more than just the Falkland Islands, as the Magellan Straits were strategically vital before the Panama Canal) the Pope was mediator and kept things peaceful. The current President Michelle Bachelet is agnostic but the new president Pinera who returns in March is Catholic and more conservative, though all presidents attend religious services of many faiths held in the palace chapel on a weekly (?) basis. Only 4 presidents have served two (the limit) consecutive terms.

We are still enjoying beautiful summer days in Santiago. This group of young missionaries left early this morning, their roller suitcases banging through the halls. I snapped this photo last night as they grabbed their bags from the storage room next to mine to pack for their first assignments. They are always exuberant and excited to get started after 3 weeks here for the Spanish speakers, 6 weeks for the gringos. Most will serve in Latin America or in Spanish speaking missions in other places such as the U.S. They are a wonderful group of young people who inspire us all with their faith, diligence and enthusiasm to serve.

and then there are us senior missionaries who love our experience here, too.

Sisters Hurley, Umber, Poulsen (and de Schweinit) on Preparation day Monday enjoyed the street music, ice cream and general ambiance and shopped for the cheap pants and skirts sold on the street mostly by Otavalans from Ecuador.

I love the the Andean music

Music is an important part of Chilean culture and education. And of course there are all sorts of entertainers as there are throughout the world....

Los Andes, a town about 1 1/2 hours north of Santiago on the way to Argentina and highest peak in South America, Aconcagua. I went with my Pathways student Gaby whose friend drove us up into the mountains.

My Mapuche "Tree of Life. Yes, there are lots of sheep, llamas, and alpacas in Chile."

Los Dominicos in Santiago

La Chascone Santiago home of Pablo Neruda

Today the temple has reopened so we are changing our vacation focus to service in the temple. I  have loved the vacation, but am happy to be back to serve the Lord and Chilean members. We all need balance in our lives, I think, between work and play!