La Costa

 The Misión de Chile Viña del Mar has only a few cities on the coast, but when you think about it, Chile is one big coast (Costa).  Here are our mission boundaries:

 

Viña del Mar has beaches and tourist attractions.  

Far-away picture of Wulff Castle which is near to the famous  Viña del Mar Reloj de Flores (Flower Clock).

 Close-up picture of the Wulff Castle

Valparaíso is just south of Viña del Mar on the bay.  If you are a native of Valparaíso, you are known as a "Porteño" or one from the port.  Container ships to cruise ships to fishing boats use the puerto or port.  All the homes are stacked on the cerros or hills which rise steeply from the small flat city part.  

You can see some of the Andes with the port view.

When we head to Cementerio #3, we take a bus to Playa Ancha. It is the southern tip of the Valparaíso bay.  The bus ride is winding with hairpin curves and the waves heading toward the bay seem to pass crosswise across the southern tip. You have to see it to appreciate it!!

We first pass by the Chilean Navy and container ships to get there. 

Northern part of the bay and around the tip are Reñaca and then Concón.  We were only on one bus trip here to pick up supplies for the camera work.  Reñaca is first with a beach, sand dunes and white step-up condos; and Concón seems to be the preferred place for surfing.  

Concón

The bus stop was right by the beach so we walked down just in time to spot a visit from Uncle Don - or so it seemed he was dropping by to greet us....

We especially are thinking of Don this week as we remember him on his birthday.

Don, Dad and Geff 

Don at the top of the World Trade Center

Yesterday, we headed to the Santiago Temple with the O'Higgins Ward.  A brother and a young sister were receiving their endowments.  In December, Marcela will leave for a mission to the Salt Lake City Visitors Center.  It was a happy day and our first trip out of the mission since we flew into Santiago.  On the way we passed through a long tunnel. There a noticeable difference between the coastal grape vines and pine trees which gave way on the Santiago side to cactus, bushes and a warmer sun.  Our apartment is still cold and damp inside and still cooler outside than Santiago.  We must be missing Las Vegas!!  

Listening in Spanish and seeing a new presentation with watercolor type designs for the creation and hearing Spanish from both sides of the veil as I answered in English was interesting.  Dad spoke at the veil in Spanish.  We love the Temple!!  We had a nice visit with the MTC President outside on the grounds as the MTC is also on the complex.  

The evening before was a broadcast "Fortalizar La Familia" for the matrimonios (married couples) for the countries of Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile and Argentina.  The meeting was conducted by Elder Walter F. Gonzales and speaking were Elder Craig C. Christensen and his wife, Elder D. Todd Christofferson and his wife, and Elder Russell M. Nelson and his wife.  They were in Argentina.  The theme ("Strengthen the Family") taught that we can strengthen Zion by strengthening our marriages.  We will email you the beautiful messages we heard and more of the wonderful experiences in the Temple.  Dad admired Elder Christofferson's message, use of words, vocabulary and accent.  He wants and has the potential to have that accent!  Elder Nelson had a translator and involked a blessing that there be love in our families; and that our homes be places of peace and faith and spiritual strength.