Practicing Spanish on the street.

My friend from Linares came to visit us in Talca last week and told me that the language is "outside" and I need to go and talk to people on the street and in the plaza.  I really didn't have any desire to do this because  I can't say much.

On Saturday, we had to go to Linares so Doug could meet with the Branch and District Presidents.  I decided to take my camera and hit the street and see what would happen.  I headed down the street toward this catholic church.

The entire inside of this church was destroyed by the earthquake.  There is no roof and they are starting the reconstruction project.

Right across the street from our Chapel is what is left of this house.  Two women were killed when the adobe fell on them during the earthquake.

There are adobe buildings just like this, all over Talca,  where only the exterior walls are partially standing.  All the roofs are gone.

I walked further down the street taking pictures in the neighborhood.

As I was merrily going along by myself in Chile, I met a man.  We greeted each other and I quickly ran out of words.  He talked to me for a while and I acted like I understood most everything.  He was taking a chair down the street to be repaired.  In a few minutes he returned and asked if I would like to see the church.  I said in my most eloquent Spanish, "Si".  We walked to the church and went into an office and the receptionist said it was being renovated,  (I think).  She sent us next door to a school where they were having a veterinary clinic.  We met the students and went inside the school where I got a picture of the gym and the side of the church and yard.

This is Dorian Silva, my personal, Chileno, guide.

This is where the blessing comes in.  This student is from England, but has lived in Chile since she was four.  I asked  her to tell Dorian that I needed to get back because my husband was probably worried.

One quick picture and Dorian walked me all the way back to the Chapel.

As we got close to the chapel, I could see Doug, President Gonzales and President Giadach, all out in the street, looking for me!  They all met Dorian and we had a few laughs over, I'm not sure what.