Murals and Wonderful Food!

I went to the police station Friday morning (September 23), leaving around 7 and getting back around 10. I stood in a lot of lines and signed a lot of papers, and hopefully, in a while, I will get my CPF number, which is sort of like a tax number that you have to have to purchase things. It is not illegal to purchase without one, but you can’t buy on Amazon in Brazil or join Sam's Club (yes, there is a Sam's Club here, but it isn't exactly like the one in the US) without one. Having my number will make getting things easier.

A little about my calling here - I don't want you to think that all I do is visit tourist destinations!  I really love what I do. I get to help missionaries who are having a difficult time emotionally and mentally. I am happy (and sad) to be talking with young missionaries who are so valiant and yet who have real emotional burdens to carry. I have so much love and admiration for them and their real love of the Savior and Heavenly Father.  I want to help them and hope that I can. It is fulfilling and yet heartbreaking - and then I see times when Heavenly Father touches a missionary and problems just fade away. I feel humbled that part of my mission is to see miracles sometimes.  

On Saturday (September 24), a senior couple and I went to Batman Alley and saw lots of fun murals there. There was also an outdoor fair, where we saw lots of things for sale - clothes, jewelry, fruits, and vegetables. I got a few vegetables and really enjoyed just looking at everything.

Then we found a wonderful restaurant that served Bahian food - food from the northeast part of Brazil. We knew nothing about Bahian food, but we decided to try it. (We couldn't even understand the menu!) 

It was so good! We had fried potatoes (served in a little shopping cart, no less!) I had Carne de Panela com Farofa (stewed beef with farofa, a cornmeal mix used to add just a little extra flavor. You sprinkle it on top of food). My friends had Mini Acarajé (small balls of fried bread that you open up, scoop out, fill with seasoned fillings - and we added the stewed beef also) Yum!!

For dessert, we had a small chocolate cake with chocolate filling (like a lava cake) and a vanilla cake that was covered in coconut and fried to make a coconut shell. Amazing!

On Sunday, I had two senior couples who are my friends to dinner. It was a lovely evening - even though one thing hasn’t changed on my mission. I am still a terrible cook! (But the desserts were good!)