Casa Urquiaga & Porvenir Stake Conference

Last Wednesday we headed to the Post Office after our shift at the temple. When we arrived, we found that it was closed. So on Thursday, after our shift, we headed back downtown to the Post Office, only to find that it was closed again. After talking to a guard nearby, we were informed that they are on strike with no end in sight. It could be weeks or even months.  It still amazes us that a city of over 1 million people, only has one post office. They must not send much mail down here.

We walked up the the Plaza de Armas with the intention of buying an ice cream cone at McDonalds. On our way to McDonalds we passed by this big blue building on the square. The doors were open and we were invited to come in and look around.  It was free admission so we wandered inside.  

We found out it was Casa Urquiaga (Casa Calonge), a traditional colonial manor.  Nothing is labeled or marked but there were some interesting artifacts and antiques.  We were told one desk was supposed to be Simon Bolivar's who lived here for two years after proclaiming Peru's Independence in 1824. He is the George Washington of South America.

It also hosted the first viceroy of Peru in 1604 and was the headquarters of the first bank in Trujillo. Today it is owned by Banco Central.

Bill by one of the big doors.

Two spacious courtyards. 

Simon Bolivar's desk.

Sunday was Stake Conference for the Porvenir Stake.  The little choir we have been practicing with was asked to sing at the Conference.  I was also asked to play the piano.  There are no organs down here.  Our choir director lives in this stake.  President and Sister Marler spoke as well as President and Sister Casos and the Stake President.  The Congregation sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" for a standing break hymn.  They love that hymn down here and sing it often which is interesting since it was originally written for the Civil War.

Daniel Salazar brought us to the Stake Center in his van that
he bought in Japan 15 years ago.  it still purrs along and can hold 7 people.

The Porvenir Stake Center. 

A neighbor's laundry can be seen across the street from the church.

Across the street from the church in the opposite direction.

Our little choir practicing before the Conference.  

After conference, all our little temple worker friends ran up to say hello.
 President and Sister Casos are on the right.