Farewell to Huaraz - Part II

Our last week at the archives was very emotional, especially for several of the employees with whom we have worked for 18 months. They accepted us as part of the team and we had an excellent working relationship. 

Jaime (hi-may) has worked at the archives for 25 years and knows where every book and document is located. A religious man, who lost his wife about a year before we arrived, he was always jovial and supported us in every way. This made our work so much easier. We laughed a lot together and the day we left he cried as he gave each of us a big hug and thanked us for having moved forward the digitalization of the records in the archives.

Amable (ah-ma-blay), which means "lovable" in Spanish. She personified her name. She was the secretary to the director and prepared all of the correspondence that went out from the archives. Very personable, she would come by our work area from time to time to see how we were doing and to chat.  She even knitted a beautiful scarf for Marilyn.

Joli (yo-lay) worked in our area of the archives as a clerk and typist. She and Amable and the director were the only ones who knew how to use the computers that belonged to the archives. Our special computers were provided by the Church.  She was also always very friendly and helpful.

Señor Portilla, another long time employee who worked alongside Joli. His specialty was locating legal documents such as deeds, wills, land titles, and other notarized material. Some of the records in the red boxes to his left date from the 1600's.  We used to tease him about building a wall with books around his desk when actually the books contained documents that he had located for people and he was waiting for them to return and get their copies.

Mario, worked with Portilla but in a separate room. We often wondered what he really did since he would disappear often, but since he was tenured, his job was secure.  During our time in the archives we had three directors--apparently the job of director is not so secure.

Julio Pecho, a recently returned missionary who was hired by the Church as an independent contractor to take our place in the archives.  He was really excited about getting the job.  We hope he will be able to continue until the project is completed.

These two ladies, mother and daughter, provided breakfast outside the archives every morning for most of the time we were there. They would arrive about 8:00 a.m. and bring hot food for the employees. They almost always had 15 or 20 customers every morning who stood around the table and ate standing up or sat on the cement sidewalk. 

The last bundle of records, death records from Yungay, that I photographed on my last day. With books similar to these, we took approximately 285,000 images during our 18 months in Huaraz. There is probably six - eight months of work remaining to complete the digitalization of the archives.

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Meanwhile back at the apartment, we were frantically packing and giving away clothing, food, cookware and other items we did not want to bring home. Several months prior, we had purchased a harp and had a box made to bring it home with our luggage.

With Carlos, the owner of the music store where we purchased the harp.

The plywood box we had made to protect the harp in transit.  It really did look a lot like a coffin.  Marilyn joked that we could use it as her coffin if we painted it white and gave everyone magic markers to write her a message on it

The harp in its black fabric carrying case nestled in the box with other souvenirs filling in the empty spaces.

The movers pulled all the furniture outside into the parking area and wrapped every piece in cardboard and clear plastic film. The Church hired a mover to take all the furniture to Trujillo to be used by a future senior missionary couple.

Even the suitcases were wrapped since we had to ship them, together with the harp, by bus to Lima. Too much to take on the small plane to Lima.

A last look at the freshly painted building in front of our apartment building which the landlord has converted from a multi-room hostal to three 3-bedroom apartments.

We spent the last three nights at a hotel in the center of town. It included a nice breakfast on the patio.

A final look at the snow-capped peaks of the Andes Mountains to the east of town.

One last look at Huascarán peak, at 22,205 feet, the highest mountain in Peru. It is a view we never got tired of. It was snow covered the year around.

Adios Huaraz! We leave many special friends and sweet memories behind.

Farewell to Huaraz - Part I
Saying goodbye is hard. The wonderful members of the ward and stake did not make it any easier as they "wined and dined" us starting several weeks before our actual departure. Unfortunately, we did not get pictures of every event or of every person, but here are a few that were special.

Our bishopric sponsored the first farewell, about two weeks before we left. From left to right, here is our good friend Gerver Huamán, 1st counselor, Bishop Salazar, and Brother Trinidad, 2nd counselor. The event consisted of a dinner and then comments by each of the attendees. It was held at a member's home and about 40 people came.

On the left, Sister Valenzuela, one of the oldest in age and time in the stake. We were her home teachers. Sister Huamán and Sister Sélide, our previous Relief Society president.

Three of our sisters who we visited as home teachers. Sister Vega, Sister Antunez and Sister Sanchez.

This is Sister Vega's humble, adobe home and small business. She is a single mother of three, the youngest of which is studying to be a nurse. Sister Vega's husband left her some years ago and she gets by from the income from her little corner business selling snacks and with help from two daughters who work. The building, including her living area, has a tin roof and dirt floors.

Sister Sanchez's son Nilo, middle front, and her husband on the right with the white hat. Garcia family members behind.

Robert Bejarano, probably our closest friend, together with his wife Pilar and children, in Huaraz. He helped us find our apartment when we arrived in Huaraz and move in when the furniture finally became available.

Another favorite couple, the Villóns. He is the stepson of the bishop and someone we made friends with early on, even though they lived in a different ward.

Here they are with his mom, Sister Salazar, the bishop's wife.

The Huamáns had us over for dinner. From left, their daughter Linda who is studying in Lima, Sariah, Magdalena and Moroni. Brother Huamán arrived after we took the picture.

Three couples hosted this dinner at the home of the Pechos. From left, Pilar Bejarano, Julio Pecho (who took our place at the archives), Victor and Alma, Sister Pecho and Brother Pecho. It was typical Peruvian food and very tasty.

Here are the four couples.  This is definitely the nicest apartment we were in in Huaraz.  Bro. Pecho is a judge and makes a good salary. 

Another of our favorite couples, Orlando and Flor Aguilar with Alejandra. He teaches English and is also qualified as a tourist guide.

Jackie Villón, a single mother and her son Jampier.

Cielo Zavaleta, who was called to take my place as the Stake Family History Director when she came home from her mission. A vivacious, people-oriented, fun-loving and very talented young lady. Daughter of the stake president.

With three sisters at the church on our last Sunday.

The Primary children sang for us on the last Sunday.

Jackie with the Primary children.

We wanted to say goodbye to our favorite vegetable vendor in the large central market.

The cloth vendor who always greeted us with a smile as we passed by his booth in the central market, even if we didn't purchase anything.

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We flew out of Juaraz at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, August 3. We had to be at the airport at 6:00. The airport is a 30 minute taxi ride from town. Four couples and two youths came to see us off. Only one had a car so the others paid for taxis. We were impressed and humbled by their show of love and support.