Well Well Well, If It Isn't Hermana McKinlay in Flippin Argentina

¡Hola amigos y amigas!

Not quite sure how much time I have left here in the internet cafe because my companion speaks no English and I can't remember how much time she said we'd have here. Hahahahaha sos.

The past 12 days have been absolutely insane. Here's the rundown. It took me 32 hours to get from Mexico City to Salta. My travel group had a 4 hour layover in Panama City (STUNNING descent. Coolest view from a plane ever). We chilled and ate at the airport. In the food court I noticed a tv that was playing ESPN football highlights so I suggested we sit at a table where I may or may not have just so happened to have perfect sight of the tv. Can't really remember, it's all a blur ;)

Layover in Buenos Aires was a complete JOKE! My dad would have given up the ghost. I don't really know what was going on, mostly because I know 2% of Castellano (Argentina spanish), but apparently a lot of pilots were going on strike because the government is lousy or something. Soooooo our 2 hour layover became a 6 1/2 hour layover. It was......lovely. We were taken to a different airport than the one we originally flew into in Bueno Aires, because we had to take one more flight to get to Salta. This random guy picked us up in the first airport, took us to this dumpy white van, piled us in, and drove up to the other airport. He spoke no English which made the experience that much more terrifying. Not to mention all of our suitcases were thrown into a different van than the one we were traveling to the second airport in. I have a little PTSD when it comes to long-term luggage separation so that was also terrifying. The last 15 hours of my travel was, in one word, terrifying.

Arriving in Salta felt like a dream. Only because it didn't seem real. I couldn't stop thinking, "there is no way I'm in Argentina right now!" But then I realized this experience is so beyond anything I could ever imagine that it couldn't possibly be a dream.

#greeniegang

My trainer, or first companion in the field, is Hermana Velazquez. She is from Buenos Aires and speaks VERY little English which can be difficult at times. One of the words she knows in English is "FREAK!" and when she said that for the first time I jajajaja-ed real hard. Our apartment would probably be defined as "ghetto" but we're out here living that missionary life!

President and Hermana Orquera

Our first area is Santiago del Estero. Look it up. Our ward has about 30 people in it. We are trying to do a lot of reactivating. I'm the ward pianist and got to introduce myself and bear my testimony over the pulpit on Sunday. Lots of people smiled and nodded so I figured I got my message somewhat across.

When you say hi to someone, instead of shaking hands, you kiss their cheek. Sometimes people get super excited, especially with missionaries, and do both. They'll grab your hard and yank you into their face. Took me a hot minute to get used to that.

The weather is 95-100 degrees everyday. I have officially given up on doing my hair and makeup. But it's fine because my best bet is to impress people with my testimony anyways, right? ;)

People in Argentina are super super weird. Life here is in slow motion. The people here LIVE for food. Their days are mapped around lunch, which is the biggest and best meal of the day. Everyday (minus pdays) we have lunch with members of the church. It's normally a 2-3 hour ordeal even though it's supposed to be just 1. Don't tell the mission pres. The food here is similar to Italian food. Lots of pasta, pizza, and meat. You have to eat SUPER slow because if the members see an empty plate, they refill it within seconds. The only time life isn't in slow motion is when they take your plate and hand it back with a mountain of food. I've had to refuse food multiple times by explaining how small my stomach is. Also the people here LOVE mate which is kind of like tea. It's basically leaves with hot water and it's the grossest thing. After lunch, everything shuts down for "siesta" which translates to nap. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, takes a 2-3 hour nap after lunch. So that's when Hermana V. and I go back to our apartment to study.

Been trying really hard to learn castellano! I don't know a lot but I smile and wave at just about everyone. Name that movie haha. Lots of doors have been slammed in my face but it doesn't bug me. Makes my job easier. I'm out here looking for the people that are ready to receive the gospel now, not that those people can't receive it, now just isn't the time for them. It's funny to walk down the street and make eye contact with people. They'll look at your eyes, then glance down to your tag, then back at your eyes. The second time they look at your eyes it's normally a little different. Sometimes you'll get a glare, pity smile, or a kind of confused look.

This email is 5% of everything that has happened this past week. Everything is a blur looking back at it. Thankful for everyone's support, love, and prayers. This is, by far, the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Like super super super super hard hahaha. BUT, I can testify that I know Heavenly Father is aware of me and is watching over me as I participate in the greatest work!

Love love loveeeee,

Hermana McKinlay