A visit with a wonderful family

Yesterday we were extremely blessed to spend the day with Isabel, Marcelo, and Daniel Ibalo.  Our friend Emily from Tennessee served a mission in Buenos Aires and "introduced" us through facebook and email.  So with only an electronic introduction, they invited us to lunch at their home.  It took about two hours to get there, with a bus, subway, and car/taxi ride.  And this is all still within the same huge city!  It was more on the outskirts where people had small homes and yards.

The Ibalos are such a great family and really spoiled us.  Isabel speaks fluent English and I enjoyed talking with and learning from her.  Bryan was delighted to practice his Spanish one-on-one, and Marcelo was very patient, as they talked while he showed Bryan the art of the Argentine barbeque.  The kids had fun playing with their two dogs and cat.  One of the highlights for them was when one of the dogs stole Paul's binky, and was actually sucking on it.  Marcelo had to struggle to take it away.  I didn't get to see it, but the more it was retold, the more everyone laughed.  It was such a privilege to spend time with them.

Today's adventure after church was a stroll through the downtown area called San Telmo.  There is a huge street market every Sunday, with live music, performers, Tango dancers, etc.  And tons of people.

This is claimed to be the narrowest house in the city (2.5 meters wide), built in 1875 and given as a gift to a newly-freed slave by his former owner.