Friends in the Middle of Nowhere

As you can see, I am enjoying myself, and have met many amigos. This photo is of me at a bar just before voting day and now call it "el bar de los viejos..." Professionally, I have started teaching and English writing course and am working on the internal regulation for the Congressional Library here in Asunción. We have a holiday tomorrow! At the house all is well, and I am set up in the casita by myself. I am getting more used to the custom of having helpers around the house, though it is harder than you think to give up cooking, ironing, shopping, etc. It sounds like I am whining about royal treatment, I know, but in the States we are very accustomed (or at least me!) to our independence. I have been talking a lot with José Luis about the economy, people, and various other social characteristics of the Paraguayan people.

The other night I went out with a few friends from the Institute and we had a good time drinking and conversing about the culture of Paraguay etc. To the left are Diego and Ingrid, dancing to a band named djavan. I have yet to secure a disc of the music, but will be scouting for one the next time I am at Mercado 4. Very Latin American, it is a market that has absolutely everything you could ever want. Many of the vendors sell almost exactly the same things as the one next door.

One thing that I found interesting is that I am not rare here with regard to skin or hair color. It was quite different in México, because over the years a relatively great number of nations have contributed genetic character to the nation’s people. From a well-known Paraguayan author, Helio Vera, we learn that the Paraguayan has a fantastic genetic history and all have contributed at some time or another. More about the Paraguayan identity in a later post. I have received no judgment or awkward looks from anyone, even when I am confused about where I am going and how to count the money that they have here.

On that note, I’ll give you an idea of the currency. They say that the cost of living in Paraguay is one of the lowest in the world (Paraguay ranks on many lists in either the top or bottom), and it seems to be true. The exchange rate of a dollar is 4300 Guaraní, which means that items often have many zeros in their price and at first seem expensive. However, things are very inexpensive. A tie that I bought the other day, for instance, was the equivalent of about $6; a box of Chex less than $2; cigarettes cost about .70; and a six pack of Budweiser (which fortunately for me dominates all parts of the world) $4. It must be noted, though, that the Paraguayan salary is not high, and those who spend money on these things for their families and themselves, find the prices sometimes prohibitive. Plus, I am living in the capital, which means that here are the best of the best economically speaking. Don’t get me wrong, Paraguays are surely not swimming in plata.