Hello from Paraguay!
After a 30 hour trip or so from the farm in Chatsworth, my bus pulled into the terminal in Villarrica where Karen was waiting for me in the rain! It was so good to see her! We stayed at a nice hotel with 2 single beds, air conditioning (but didn´t need it because it is cold and rainy), color tv, a true water closet with the pull string for the toilet, and a shower with hot water but no curtain. Perfecto!
She took me out to Bar Oasis Comida for dinner where we shared a giant beer, Brahma Chopp, and had mandioca which is a staple sort of root, tastes like potato. Also ate a quarter roasted chicken and lettace and tomato salad. I was very hungry after being sure to starve myself of food and drink prior to my 4 hour bus ride from Asuncion.
The bus was everything I hoped and dreamed of...crowded, lady selling chipa, personal space invasions at every turn (men´s bellies and crotches at my face level were noteworthy). Before I got on the bus I had written down all the names of the communities along the route to keep track of our progress. I ended up on a local instead of a direct bus which took 4 hrs instead of 3.
Today we had yerba mate in the form of cocida with milk. Went to the supermarket which was impressive. With the exception of the skinned / butchered cow's head in the meat display, you'd think it was a US supermarket! Locally produced veggies, fruit, meat, and bread. Many packaged products (cereal, cooking oil, etc.) comes from around South America and not Paraguay. There were wines on the shelves from Argentina and Chile, and LOTS on scotch on the shelves, too.
We walked around Villarrica and I got to see Villarrica CC23 which is the post office box where she gets her mail. I made some handcrafted needlepoint from local Villarrican artisans.
Karen seems more comfortable speaking Guarani than she does Spanish. She talks to people in the street or market and I´ll follow along just fine until suddenly she whips into Guarani! You would think Karen lived here all her life. She is very comfortable with things despite her calloused hands from hauling water from the well, and her unfortunate foot.
After a bit we will venture off to her community which, I am sure, will be very different. I´m taking pictures of everything along the way and can´t wait to experience the 1 hour (3 mile) hike. And yes, Karen has agreed to carry the heavy bag full of goodies that I brought.
We will be in her community until Sunday so this will be my last communique for a while. I can´t seem to make my phone work. Sorry about that!
Life is good here. The people are friendly, the country side is pretty, the food good, and the drinks (beer and yerba mate) are tasty. I can´t wait to see where she lives in Monte Rosario!
More later!
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