Our New Granddaughter in Ohio

 June 2, 2012 - Columbus, Ohio

Julie and I ventured away from Peru to see Kristen and Steve.

After an all-night flight and then a hop from Atlanta to Columbus,

we could hardly wait to meet our new little granddaughter.

Grandma was the first to hold her.

How could you not fall in love with this little bug.

Perhaps we try to do too much.  Fly for 12 hours, play with Ainsley, and

then go see the play "Robin Hood" in the park before calling it a day.

Sunday, our day of rest, was Ainsley's baby blessing.

Steve and Kristen's friends from school and neighbors were the "extended" family.

The afternoon was spent with Ainsley.  Grandpa could get her to sleep...

but Grandma was the entertainer.

Monday was spent at the Conservatory.

A pleasant mix of blown glass by Dale Chihuly...

and tropical plants.

I wish this was MY patio.

This grandparent thing is great!

Steve and Kristen took us to a topiary park.  The figures seemed strangely familiar.

Then we figured it out.

A Sunday afternoon on the Ile de la Grande Jatte

The city library.

Water playground along the river.

What other kind of restaurant would you expect in German town?

Ol' time Candy Store and Chocolate Factory

Slo-Pokes, Turkish Taffy and Black Cows.  WOW!

Necco wafers!  They used to be 5 cents and the pack would last

through the Saturday Matinee double feature.

BUT THE TRIP ISN'T OVER!   STILL MORE TO COME.

Old Santiago Architecture

23 March 2012

Julie and I went across Santiago to an older part of town.

Our intent was to find some jewelry of "lapislazuli", a blue stone

typical of northern Chile and go up a hill, Cerro San Cristobal,

to look out over the city.  That will be in the next blog.

What we found were colorful doors and windows.

Fun stuff!

Temple & Tango in Chile

22 March 2012

Work took Julie and I to Santiago, Chile for a few days.

We soon noticed that there was alot less traffic.

and the people seemed to live a more relaxed lifestyle.

The architecture was varied, both new...

and not so new.

We were surprised not to see just dirt.

we walked over to the Church Offices,

Temple housing, Mission Training Center

and Temple.

The missionary couple, Ken Workman and his wife, that were checking recommends
at the front desk, had attended the old Virginia Ward in North Long Beach, California
and knew the Spongbergs, Durhams, and a few other of the Long Beach Stake veterans.
Once again, small world.

After going through a session, we walked back to our hotel.

We went past a Tango Bar I found back in June of 2006.

We were hungry and they said there was dancing later.

We thought that meant a "show".

We were the only people there for about 15 minutes.

Several couples finally came in and then the music group came in from their break.

If we would have been there the night before we could have

participated in the free lessons.

I love the "attitude".

I think that Julie and I could figure this out if we practiced.

The Presidential Palace of Peru

10 March 2012

To quote Elder L. Whitney Clayton, "the Govenrment Palace (in Lima, is) the official residence and office of Peru's president."  Similar to the experience he shared in the October 2011 General Conference, we have wondered what it would be like to enter the palace.

We have walked around the building many times and even caught the changing of the guard.

After about 20 phone calls our friends were able to get reservations to tour some of the rooms of the Presidential Palace.

This is the room where guests are received.

Julie, with Marilyn and Lavor Cardon and Coleen and Tom Cavanaugh

.

Though the architecture would suggest otherwise, construction on the building was begun in 1900.  This wing was built in 1930.

This looks pretty celestial.  It even had mirrors on both walls,  The design was inspired by the Versailles Palace and the furniture from Louis XIV.

This is actually the "Inaugural" room where state officials are sworn into oath.

Stairs leading to the residence and offices.

Impressive architecture.

There was a hall dedicated to the Liberators, like Bolivar, Martin and O'Higgins.

The inner rooms did not have natural light other than the skylights.

I love the European ceilings.  All the woodwork is carved and fit in place without any glue or nails.

The dining roon seats about 240 guests.  The more important guests are seated at the "round" table.

Everyone else was seated at the friendlier banquet tables.

Having often gazed at the building from the outside, now we could appreciate the view from the inside.

The happy tourists.

This balcony looks out over the street and the Plaza de Armas and is where the Peruvain President stands to address the citizens on special occasions.