We don't have much to add

this week.  We taught our English

Class at 8AM (Michael Wilcox on 

"Death of his Wife") and then

the three couples went to the temple

to see the sealing of Elder & Sister Torrez.

It was so nice.  They have been married

5 years..  Then we went down to the Zocolo 

and Belle Arts area.  We walked a long way,

and these are some of the images we saw.

 This building (above) is falling 

apart, but it was beautiful in its day

 This very large memorial to national hero

is beautifully situated in a large park.

 We took this picture because right in the

middle of the block filled with upscale

restaurants and hotels, they have this

nursery to sell plants.

 We had heard the restaurant in the

Hilton had wonderful food.  The rumor

was true...probably the best food

Neal & I have had here.

 These images of the Day of the Dead

surrounded the lobby & restaurant 

of the Hilton

 Down the block a short way from the Hilton,

we came upon this indoor/outdoor restaurant

 Waiting for the North American arrivals

 Throughout downtown Mexico City, we run

onto whole neighborhoods (sometimes several

blocks) of stores all selling the same type of

merchandise.  We have gone blocks one after

another with only jewelry stores, and several blocks

only with stores selling plumbing supplies.  This street

had shop after shop of butchers.  We were appalled to

see them unloading trucks of animal (guts) onto the

ground from big boxes in the backs of the vehicles.

 Back to the Zocolo.  We were trying

to find this museum.  It was all

locked up, so Pres Call knocked with the

Jacob Marley knocker, and lo and behold

someone answered.  They wouldn't let us in though.  

It won't be open for another month.  Pres

Call took a ribbing for using an aggressive 

door approach.

 I'm surprised at how often we see

organ grinders...this day we saw 3

 These are more pictures of the inside

of the Hilton Restaurant.

 This mural in the restaurant is reminiscent of

Diego Rivera's work..Frida Kahlo is on the right;

but it is not Rivera's work.

This building with it's huge banner

is dedicated to the Environment.  This

is a dirty pool in front of us full of small

pyramids.

So far, September in a nutshell!

TEMPLE ESCORTS:  September 15, 2015  Tuesday.  We served as bus escorts for 52 No American missionaries to go to the temple on the first day of its opening.  It was a holiday (Mexican Independence) so many members were off work and came to the temple the first time it has been open for over a year.  I’m not sure just how long.  Anyway, the temple was mobbed with people.  Because there were no local leaders at the temple who spoke English that we met, it was a bit overwhelming.  When we all entered the chapel, some of the elders sat in the center section, some on each side, some in the front and some found places to sit in the back.  So, when we were called up, it was across the aisles, row by row.  Consequently, our missionaries were all mixed up with locals. 

They had only probably 1/3 of the earphones for the number of missionaries (all English speakers) we took.  We have been to the temple many times, and could kind of make out what was being said in the movie, but for many of our missionaries, it was probably the 3^rd visit.  Shoe sizes in Mexico are different….you get the idea….then when we came to the veil…..Neal and I had been set apart previously by the temple president with the idea that we would be veil workers for the English missionaries we escorted.  We tried to explain with hand signals that we could help and had been set apart, but no one understood us.

We didn’t know it, because we also had missionaries mixed with ours, who were from the mission where the temple resides.  No name tags, all white, we didn’t know who we had and who we didn’t.  We didn’t realize it, but the workers divided our group into 3 rooms, and 2 time sessions.  So, we kept trying to find everyone, and didn’t know where they were.

Those poor temple workers:  it was their first day, many were learning the parts they would play themselves, so we went through the ceremony, with someone at our elbows telling us every word.  And someone was on the other side giving the words to them as well.  We left the MTC in the morning at 7AM.  We got back about 2PM.  It was quite a day.  I think we really overwhelmed them.  Wednesday, the Torres took 57 missionaries, and it was planned that Thursday we would take 3 buses, 104 missionaries.  We rethought that whole thing.  So, next week we have about the same number of missionaries, some Latino and some No American.  We hope they will allow us to sit as a group, and move as a group. 

MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS 

September 14, 2015 Sister Torres taught the FHE lesson on the Independence and Revolution in Mexico.  5 of us dressed in Mexican dress.  It was fun, but we didn’t understand anything that was read or said.  Sister Torres did traditional dance in her big, big flamingo skirt and clicking heels (from her childhood).  That was really fun!

MENTAL HEALTH POWER POINTS

We gave our Mental Health Introduction Power Point presentation two times today.  That has been a fun addition to our responsibilities.  I’ve been working really, really hard to get the MTC History done as much as I can.  I’ve tried to take pictures of each of the departments and committees, so that Packards can just finish it up. 

September 15, 2015  The cafeteria was all decorated today in honor of Independence Day.  The tables were covered in red, green, and white.  There were banners in the windows.  One of the soloists from the Cultural Night (who also works at the MTC) sang the National Anthem at noon.  Several of the couples (women) wore traditional dress.  They borrowed costumes (elaborate, beautiful) from the prop room of the stage here at what used to be a school.  We were told there is a huge room with bars all around, from which hang these beautiful, very full skirts and dresses.  We were at the temple almost all day, so I didn’t get to wear my dress.  I was sad.

DAILY INTERACTIONS 

We’ve been way busy.  Neal more than me, but I’m busy too.  This is because we have more walk-ins (from our Power Point Presentations I think).  The mission presidents do not know we are leaving, but they have been so affirming, telling us how grateful they are for the service.  It makes me feel ambivalent, and then we run up against another struggle with Spanish, (a mission president who doesn’t speak English, or trying to do therapy with two sisters:  one who speaks English and one only Spanish) and I think, “No, this is right.”

We struggle in the 2 health meetings we attend where we are supposed to give input about certain individuals, and we don’t have a clue what has transpired in the meeting.  The Cultural night, the FHEs, the interaction with Mission Presidents, who don’t understand us and we can’t understand them, the social aspect:  museums, department stores, restaurants….all in Spanish.  I’m writing this at the Visitor’s Center next to the temple.  One of the couple sisters here doesn’t speak Spanish either, and she is pulling her hair…she, and the area doctor’s wife are both only English speakers, and they understand 100% and sympathize with us. 

A big part of our work here is with Anxiety and Panic Attacks….the girls are perfectionists, and it is a huge adjustment to serve here where every single minute of every day is planned.  It is hard for them to find down time to relax. 

MTC HISTORY

Because I am doing the MTC History, Neal and I went to the Latino Arrival Reception this week.  It was so touching to see the Latino families bring their children and drop them off….such a sacrifice….not only for clothing to prepare them, but often these youth are part of the family’s source of income.   Many tears and hugs……I stood and wept with them.

September 18, 2015 Friday.  Today we started reading “The 4^th Watch” by Michael Wilcox in our English class, and announced about the changes October 30.  They begged us to reconsider.  (We’ve been so close to these sweet, kind people).  We explained why it has been so hard, and how it happened so miraculously.  Then they said, “Well, could you please arrange to Skype with us so we could continue our class?”  They are serious about that.  They really want us to do it.  I don’t think we could do that, much as we love them and have loved the class.  We went to the Julian Slim museum (see pictures below).  What a treat that was.  Oh my!  I just loved it. 

Internet note:  In February 2015, Carlos Slim, according to Forbes , has a fortune of 77,100 million dollars, which makes it the second richest man in the world, behind the US Bill Gates .   He owns Telmex (telephone) and 6.4% of the New York Times and many, many other companies.  His family created this fantastic art museum and it is open to the public free of charge.  It is amazing!

September 20, 2015, Sunday

         I wanted to write especially about our wonderful weekend last week.  On Saturday we were able to attend the Mexico City Temple Rededication Open House.  As of this time, I don’t know where the pictures are for it, but I will keep looking.  We take pictures on our phone, our camera, and our I-phone, and did take them on our Video Camera until it disappeared.  So, sometimes I get all of the pictures off, and sometimes…well…..

         The cultural event was in a large theater in downtown Mexico City.  That is always a nebulous comment, because there are millions of people in Mexico City, and the city goes on for miles and miles and miles, and none of us really know where THE downtown is. There are many downtowns. Anyway, we arrived about 5:30 I’m guessing.  The lines of Mormons waiting to enter were humungous…It was a great social time for the members standing there chatting.   We probably waited at least an hour, maybe more.  We had tickets with assigned seats….wonderful seats actually.  I felt guilty that we took up seats members could have used.  We didn’t understand any of it…..verbally…we enjoyed the dances with the clicking shoes, and the huge beautiful skirts.  We were told it portrayed the history of Mexico and the Church.  We understood Joseph kneeling in the grove, but the rest kind of went over our heads. 

         The next morning, we arrived at the auditorium on the MTC campus early (7AM) to distribute handkerchiefs and check recommends at the door.  We watched the 1^st Session of the Rededication with the missionaries here, and then 3-4 couples jumped into the large van to rush to the temple, to see the 2^nd session in a classroom inside.  There were lines everywhere---on the street, all through the temple campus, and lines all through the temple.  We’ve had the temple open house for the last few weeks, and we’ve brought groups of missionaries up to go through several times.   They are such faithful, humble people.  We were seated against the wall on folding chairs.  We were directly opposite the other side of the room where a large double door disclosed Pres Eyring and Elder Holland, who stopped in to wave at the people.  It was so touching to see them (all around us—men and women) immediately tear up to see them.  Pres Eyring, being touched, patted his heart in humble salute to them.  It was really moving to us.  Again, we thought of people we work with at the Clinic who didn’t have tickets to come to the temple, and felt guilty we may have taken their seats.  They watched from their stake houses.  It was really a lovely day. 

         It is a beautiful temple, unlike other temples in its construction.  It has a definite Mexican feel to it.  So, it was a lovely weekend, and we feel so fortunate to have been a part of it.  The talks were all in Spanish except E. Holland, who used an interpreter.  E. Eyring gave one of the 3 session prayers.  It was in English with an interpreter.  He mentioned that his family came from Mexico.  E. Holland gave a part of his talks in Spanish. 

 This is our weekly FHE: L-R

Pres Call, Janet, Montoyas, 

Rubulcavas, me, Harstons,

Torres couple are preparing the food.

 FHE-Calls & Torres

 L-R Sis Patty Rubulcava, me, Eld 

Eloy Rubulcava, Nola & Dennis Harston

 FHE:  Calls, Sis Torres, Sis Montoya

 FHE:  Montoyas, Rubulcava, me

 Mexican Independence Lesson:

Sister Torres danced for us

 Downtown Mex City-Cemetery Statue

 Side Street downtown Mex City

 Funeral flowers across the street from

the cemetery.

 Mexican Independence Sept 15-16

 We went to the Julian Slim Museum. 

A posh mall across the street...we all

took our pictures in the Doorway of

Saks Fifth Avenue..couldn't afford any closer.

This was one of Neal's favorite exhibits in

the museum...carved from bits of wood

 September 19, 2015 we had a wonderful adventure.

We went to The Carlos Julian & Linda Slim Museum.

It is free to the public and will always be.  This benefactor

is extremely wealthy.  The docent told us that almost all of

the art pieces are original, with a few copies mixed in.

It features many artists:  Dali, Van Gogh, Michaelangelo,

Cassatt, Degas, Rodin, Daumier, Cezanne, Renoir, Picasso, Pisarro, etc.  The artist with the most contributions is

Rodin I think.   These pictures are all mixed up.  I still don't know how to unmix them.

No blog entry would be complete from me
without a picture of the bathroom....and this was
a bathroom to behold:  both men and women.
Mirrored walls, beautiful sinks...etc.

 Nola consented to pose for me...

 This is just a precursor to the whole

beautiful, pristine building with spacious

circular ramps, spacious viewing areas, etc.

to say nothing of the spectacular art!  Oh my!

 This is the buffet.

 There are 5 floors.  The elevator takes you

to the 4th floor, which is all Venetian Art--

gondolas, plazas, canals.  Then you must walk

up a wide, beautiful white ramp to the 5th floor.

I am sure it is meant to knock your socks off as you

round the bend and see in front of you this massive

room filled with statuary.  It is just unbelievable.

Although these are hard to see, they are carvings

by Daumier as models for a drawing he did

of members of Parliament.  Each face is delightful---

unique---exaggerated!  We even saw the Beecher

nose, .....several times!

 Each floor features different emphasis:

5th floor is sculpture, 4th floor is Venice, 

3rd floor is Impressionists, 2nd Floor is Asian

Art, and the main floor houses the bookstore,

cafeteria, and restrooms.

 This is the outside....Pretty impressive!

 Police here are very well-armed so

it feels very safe!

 VERY expensive bookstore!

 The Asian Exhibit was amazing!

 Actually this oval was a carving from

wood fibers...and was among the Impressionists

 An original display of pics and memorabilia

of Kahlil Gibran.  As we are fans, we

had to take pictures.  Bottom:  The original

copy of The Prophet

 Too far away, a copy of the Pieta, Michaelangelo

 Quite a large exhibit of Salvadore Dali &

his clocks!

 Hear no evil, See no evil, Speak no Evil

 It was just breath-taking to round this

bend and see this huge exhibit of famous

sculpture.

 Van Gogh in his early dark period among

the peasants.

 Waiting area & Book store--Very $$$$$

 Removing earwax...we had to tease

Dennis, who had a similar experience.

 I took several pictures of this because

it is so amazing to me, that he could carve

her beautiful face and still have the veil

cover it.  This is NOT cloth, it is all carved.

 This emblem is embossed somehow on

the wall of the ramp.