A fairly new bishop and his lovely family. We have a cool story about them, which we will post later.
Elder Alvarez presenting training to stake audit committee and auditors.
Sister Alvarez participating in the training.
Mindelo very much depends on tourism. They have deep sea fishing, sailing, diving, etc.
Mindelo Stake clerk and Stake President.
The ladies who sell fish at the market are here waiting their turn to buy fresh fish from the fishermen who just got in.
The fish market in Mindelo.
Sister Alvarez had to wait half a block away while Elder Alvarez went to take pictures, because the smell was so strong. :(
Ferry from Mindelo to the nearby island of Santo Antão.
It's about an hour boat ride. The ferry arrives at the port of Porto Novo, where we spent the night. After checking in to the hotel, we took a taxi ride to the other side of the island to do some training in Ribeira Grande.
On the island of Santo Antão, on the road to Ribeira Grande, we passed these small buildings which are used to process goat cheese, a very popular product from this island. You might be able to spot the goats nearby.
On the seaside road from Porto Novo to Ribeira Grande
This is the only airport/airstrip on the island. There used to be a small government plane that would fly here, but one time several years ago, the winds were too strong and it could not land, so it tried to make it back to the nearest island, but the pilot didn't think he had enough fuel to fly around the island and decided to fly over the mountains, a more direct route, but it was foggy, and the plane crashed into the mountain. The plane was never replaced, and the airstrip has been closed ever since. Now the only way to go to the island is by boat.
Ribeira Grande.
Wonderful branch president and clerk in Ribeira Grande.
On our drive to Ribeira Grande we passed an area where they cut rocks out of the mountain at the side of the road. These rocks are used to cobble the roads. The oceanside road we took to Ribeira Grande was paved, but the road we took over the mountains to go back was totally, completely made of rocks--- cobblestone; not only the roads, but also the side rails were made of rocks. We can't even imagine how many man hours went into making that tortuous road through mountains that rise quickly from sea level to 5000 ft. The highest peak on this island is Topo do Coroa, which is 6500 feet above sea level.
Road from Ribeira Grande to Porto Novo, over the mountain tops
Estrada da Corda, the cobblestone road between Ribeira Grande and Porto Novo, over the mountains. This road was built by hand in the 60s.
Farming on steep mountains.
Among pine trees, high up in the mountains of Santo Antão.
This is the crater of at least one of the volcanoes that formed this island. It is very fertile. We are told that anything will grow there.
Back in Porto Novo
Looking out the window of our hotel room in Porto Novo. So beautiful!
We were so excited to visit with the lady missionaries in Porto Novo. Sister Jorgenson is from our stake back home, and Sister Kinikini is also from Utah. It was fun to deliver a Christmas package to Sister Jorgenson from her family. Notice their darling Christmas tree between Sister Jorgenson and Sister Alvarez. These two sisters are tops! They are so friendly and cheerful!
A wedding in our branch!
This is Steveen and Katia. This was the very first wedding in our branch. Steveen is our branch clerk, and Katia is our Relief Society president. We have kind of adopted them.
The wedding luncheon at the church.
The beautiful bride.
Elder Alvarez was asked at the last minute to say a few words to the bride and groom. Thank goodness for his many years of experience in the Church.
A new baby!
João Andrade is the go-to-guy whenever we need repairs in the missionary apartments in Praia. This is his lovely family. Taish is 3 years old and just received a new baby brother into their family (Tiago). She is so excited.
This is Tiago. He is 3 days old.
Taish and Sister Alvarez just met for the first time. She came right over to sit on S. Alvarez lap and chatted and chatted with her, even though she speaks Kriolo and S. Alvarez sort of speaks Portuguese. They became fast friends. When the Alvarez' got up to leave, Taish was so sad she could hardly say good-bye. She said she wanted to go with Sister Alvarez to her house.
