Saturday, January 17, 2026
Update 3
FYI **Obviously didn't edit my last update as I said I was editing…false news. NOT editing.
Today it was time to head to Zarate where the Missionaries of Charity nuns were waiting for us. But how to get there?? Normal train service was out of order so we took an Uber to the first train station operating…about 45 min away. Then thanks to a very kind young man, we got our tickers & found where we'd board. He was so happy to help and later actually returned to give us a bag of Argentina candy & ask for a selfie. He wouldn't accept pesos but gladly took American dollars. The train was ancient looking & very, very basic. It was about 30% full and there were 6 bikes too. Soon after we left the station, the police man guarding the doorway told us to put up our windows which were almost impossible to see out of. A man explained to us that people throw rocks at the train. Before long, we passed by dilapidated shacks, trashy yards, burned out cars. Worse we'd seen in Argentina. I didn't take pictures as I was sitting close to many locals. After about 5 miles, we came to weedy open spaces, expressways and a series of small towns with parks, sports fields, skate parks, 2 story homes & rather new tall apartment buildings. We passed by a well manicured golf course with mansions on one side…and poor houses on the other. As we got closer to the port city of Zarate, huge manufacturing plants & warehouses were next to transfer stations. Zarate was the last stop and a pleasant surprise as it was mostly a nice town. Uber didn't work so a kind man offered to get us a taxi & we soon were at the M of C compound. The gate keeper opened the gate with a big smile & Sister Anita was soon there to greet us. She speaks very good English as do many of the M of C nuns (think Mother Teresa) as it is the common language of their order of nuns. I'd spoken to her several times on WhatsApp, her suggestion! Who knew nuns were so tech savvy?? Sister Anita gave us a quick tour of the hoe that houses 29 men with a variety of issues. Six nuns & several staff feed, bathe, exercise, care & love them. Sister showed us our "villa" near the end of the rather large compound surrounded by a wall. It has 5 simple bedrooms, a large basic kitchen/dining room, bathroom & a front sunny area. We'll be very comfortable here! They even stocked our frig with cheese, ham, fruit & water and bread & crackers were on the table. We feel mighty blessed! After getting our stuff situated, we were soon mopping floors & hanging clothes to dry. This place is spotless. Heard of the saying: Cleanliness if next to Godliness?? The nuns must have! We helped dish up dinner plates, fill water glasses & then it time to wash all those dished. Next more sweeping & mopping floors. At 7, we walked to a very close restaurant for a dinner of fresh bread, grilled chicken, Fr fries, a beer & a Pepsi Black (diet). We devoured that meal. Found a Coke Zero at a little nearby store so I'm set for tomorrow. Two tired people hit the sack @9:30 wondering how did we get so lucky??
Today it was time to head to Zarate where the Missionaries of Charity nuns were waiting for us. But how to get there?? Normal train service was out of order so we took an Uber to the first train station operating…about 45 min away. Then thanks to a very kind young man, we got our tickers & found where we'd board. He was so happy to help and later actually returned to give us a bag of Argentina candy & ask for a selfie. He wouldn't accept pesos but gladly took American dollars. The train was ancient looking & very, very basic. It was about 30% full and there were 6 bikes too. Soon after we left the station, the police man guarding the doorway told us to put up our windows which were almost impossible to see out of. A man explained to us that people throw rocks at the train. Before long, we passed by dilapidated shacks, trashy yards, burned out cars. Worse we'd seen in Argentina. I didn't take pictures as I was sitting close to many locals. After about 5 miles, we came to weedy open spaces, expressways and a series of small towns with parks, sports fields, skate parks, 2 story homes & rather new tall apartment buildings. We passed by a well manicured golf course with mansions on one side…and poor houses on the other. As we got closer to the port city of Zarate, huge manufacturing plants & warehouses were next to transfer stations. Zarate was the last stop and a pleasant surprise as it was mostly a nice town. Uber didn't work so a kind man offered to get us a taxi & we soon were at the M of C compound. The gate keeper opened the gate with a big smile & Sister Anita was soon there to greet us. She speaks very good English as do many of the M of C nuns (think Mother Teresa) as it is the common language of their order of nuns. I'd spoken to her several times on WhatsApp, her suggestion! Who knew nuns were so tech savvy?? Sister Anita gave us a quick tour of the hoe that houses 29 men with a variety of issues. Six nuns & several staff feed, bathe, exercise, care & love them. Sister showed us our "villa" near the end of the rather large compound surrounded by a wall. It has 5 simple bedrooms, a large basic kitchen/dining room, bathroom & a front sunny area. We'll be very comfortable here! They even stocked our frig with cheese, ham, fruit & water and bread & crackers were on the table. We feel mighty blessed! After getting our stuff situated, we were soon mopping floors & hanging clothes to dry. This place is spotless. Heard of the saying: Cleanliness if next to Godliness?? The nuns must have! We helped dish up dinner plates, fill water glasses & then it time to wash all those dished. Next more sweeping & mopping floors. At 7, we walked to a very close restaurant for a dinner of fresh bread, grilled chicken, Fr fries, a beer & a Pepsi Black (diet). We devoured that meal. Found a Coke Zero at a little nearby store so I'm set for tomorrow. Two tired people hit the sack @9:30 wondering how did we get so lucky??
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