April - Ben and Miles go to Mexico

There is no way I am going to document Ben's trip. I might write a few things under a few pictures, but that's it. But I will say this was definitely "a trip of a lifetime" for both Ben and Miles. I think it was everything Miles hoped it would be and was fantastic for Ben as well. Ben loved it all - the culture, people, getting a non-tourist vibe of the areas they were in, etc. etc. But his most favorite and special experience of all was just seeing how much Miles loved the culture and the people and how much they just love Miles! Ben said that Miles was practically a celebrity everywhere they went. :) So, so, so great! Here are a bunch of pictures, but these aren't all - most of the ones Ben sent me. He had more. :) But they give us a glimpse at least!

Pictures are very out-of-order . . . 

Miles met up with a friend (aka, date) and so Ben was on his own for a few hours in San Luis Potosi (SLP). He was a bit nervous as there were hardly (i.e., less than half a dozen) any other english-speaking person . . . So he hung out in the catholic church for a while as nobody would try talking to him there, he said. Haha. He did meet the man and he actually spoke very good english and so they visited for quite awhile. 

There was a welcome-home for a sister in the ward Miles served in. That was fun for them to be a part of.

The entrance to a local cemetary.

Delicious food was served from here apparently.

They met up with this sister missionary, serving a service-mission in her hometown of San Luis Potosi. Miles knew her and was actually there when she received her call. Miles had no idea why she got assigned to a service mission (she was surprised herself), but she is so happy to be doing what she's doing. She brought along snacks for everyone on their adventures. :)

The SLP temple - so very beautiful! It's not open yet, however.

I am pretty sure this was in Aguascalientes. Ben and Miles took a 3-hour bus ride from SLP to there. Miles served a few months in this area. He met up with one of the elders he served with and that was awesome. They got chascasfruta, which is something Miles told me about on his mission and that I would love it. Of course I would! They take frozen chunks of yogurt and whatever fruit (frozen) you choose, put it in a machine and out comes your frozen yogurt treat! So cool. And, yes, Ben and I just might get one (when we're rich) and operate a little food-truck in our town. Haha. But also kind of serious . . . 

The missed the bus back to SLP by like 5 minutes and so had to wait almost 3 hours for the next one sadly. But Ben was impressed how clean the station was!

This is the home where Ben and Miles stayed - with a family of women. A grandmother, mother, and daughter? Or maybe it was a grandmother and 2 daughters? Check out the dogs up top! Dogs were everywhere Ben said.

Their cozy bed they shared ha.

The inside.

Another shot inside with Miles talkingn with the grandmother.

Someone from the ward (bishopric member? mission leader? Miles knew him) took Ben and Miles to some ancient mining town after church on Sunday. It was really cool looking and they all had a great time.

Miles lived in that place on his mission - the place right behind him. Apparently the pizza store wasn't there when he was.

Ben loved these purple blossoms!

The church. The day they arrived there was a cute primary baptism and so Ben and Miles went with the women to it. Miles made a HUGE entrance and everyone was thrilled to see him!

This was one of the first places they ate it. Apparently it's a restuarant haha. But Ben said it was delicious!

I'm actually going to grab a few more pics from Ben's phone just because . . .

A little outside market they hit on their first day. The guys in the background got a huge kick out of Miles and his awesome spanish skills. :)

The baptism.

The ate this popular corn thing at that mining town - the member really wanted them to have it. I think they both liked it! Elotes.

Here they are shopping again. They met up with a set of elders serving in SLP. 

Miles served with the elder on his left. :)

This is an iconic spot in SLP.

However, this is The iconic spot . . . not sure why per Ben . . . ? It's like a well maybe? Caja de Agua

This little girl loved Miles and loved the little lady he sculpted for her in a couple of minutes. Cute.

This is the bishop that Miles served with - Bishop Ramos. He was great! He actually has a mechanic's shop in his home and so that was a bonus for Miles. Bishop Ramos promised Miles a coke if he came back to visit - so there ya go! Although that is what everyone serves everyone, so . . . haha.

This was the entirety of the kitchen of where Ben and Miles stayed.

Puke. A "public" restroom. It was behind a curtain like along an alleyway. Wow.

Sopes! This was one of Ben's favorite food he ate there (although he really did love it all and didn't get sick). He even made it for us the week he got home and it was delicious - even when made by a gringo! 

A beautiful catholic church - but the picture on the donation table thingy . . . ?! A popular LDS artist. Haha, so great!

Miles and his "date." Pretty sure she loves him. :) She loved him as a missionary, too. 

They ended the trip with a very authentic futbol game - the home team vs. someone?! SLP's team lost, but it was such a fun time for Ben and Miles. Funny side note: so they took the bus or Uber pretty much everywhere, with the exception of a few rides with the women they stayed with. As they got to the stadium, Ben realized he had his backpack and knew it wouldn't be allowed in the arena. Well, Miles got super-savvy with Uber from his mission and knew that you could uber "stuff." So they "ubered" Ben's backpack to the bishop's house (the women weren't at home). Haha, so funny!

Anyways, a truly wonderful trip and I added way more than I thought I would. :) Miles is ready to move there - or at least another visit this summer hopefully!