November 14, 2009
Will I ever get this posted? Either there is no electricity, no internet, or I’m too heat sick to even look at a computer. At least we have water (one of the other volunteers doesn’t even have that). We were running very low on water and hadn’t washed clothes for two weeks. However, God took care of that – we ended up with 3 days of rain that filled not only the well but every empty bucket (and an old washing machine besides). Unfortunately, it came with a lot of humidity and I’ve had a headache for the past 4 days.

So, what have I been doing the past two weeks (besides complaining)? On Friday, Nov. 6th, I met Bambi (another volunteer who is leaving in December) at the Basilica in Caacupe, a town about 80 Kilometers from Coronel Oviedo. We pass through this town often on our way to Asuncion but have never been inside the basilica. I actually arrived before Bambi had even started from Asuncion so decided to take a look to see if it was worth the journey for her. I walked up the hill to the church and found a table by a side door where I had to pay G 2 mil (about 40 cents). Naturally, I was highly indignant that I should have to pay to go into a church and I was muttering not very nice thoughts to myself as I started toward the sanctuary (or at least the direction I thought the sanctuary was located). The girl called me back and told me that I was supposed to go in a hidden doorway and up some circular stairs (like lighthouse stairs). I thought this was a bit odd but starting climbing and climbing and climbing. By now I’m beginning to think that I’m going up to the bell tower. However, the spiral leveled out and I was now on ordinary stairs accompanied by paintings on the wall. It was the story of the Virgin of Caacupe! It showed how the Franciscans came to Paraguay and converted one group of Indians. However, another group of Indians didn’t want to be converted and enjoyed capturing and killing all the other Indians. One day a Christian Indian was being tracked by the bad Indians. He prayed to our Lady and promised that if he was saved, he would carve a statue in her honor. The other Indians never found him and he carved not only one statue of Mary but two. About a hundred years later both statues had been lost but in a time of a flood, the other statue came to light and many people were rescued from the flood. So the bishop decided to build a church honoring Mary. On the feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th) people walk for many miles to the basilica. Some of the other volunteers in my group are going to do this (walking from Asuncion – about 50 kilometers or 35 miles). Since there will be tens of thousands of people also doing this, since it will be over 90 degrees and who knows what humidity, and since bathroom facilities are sketchy at best, I will definitely not be doing this pilgrimage. I prefer my visit to be quiet and simple and uncrowded.

The wonderful thing about the walk up the stairs (and we were actually going to the roof of the basilica) is that you get to walk around the edge of the dome inside. The view of the church below is magnificent! It was truly a most enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, the batteries on my camera were fading fast so I couldn’t take as many pictures as I would have liked.

I was all excited to buy a rosary as a souvenir of Paraguay. Unfortunately the rosaries they were selling in the shops were a bit expensive and not a good quality (and very ugly and plastic). I did purchase a statue of the Virgin (still very ugly and tacky but it was for my house Mom, Digna). As I was looking, I found a statue of St. Rose of Lima. I bought it for Rosa, Eddy’s wife. She was delighted as she had never seen a statue of St. Rose before. Also, she was excited to find out that my Mom’s name was Rose and that my middle name was Rose. It made quite a hit with her.

Watermelon is now in season and I bought my first one last Saturday. And yes, it meant going to Coronel Oviedo. Across from the supermercado in the Plaza a farmer was selling watermelon for G 10 mil (about $2). I brought my sack and told him to pick out one for me that would fit in the sack. This was definitely a case where smaller was better. Unfortunately, they do not have seedless watermelon here. And, of course, I had all my other groceries with me. I persuade the conductor to put everything under the bus so I wouldn’t have to deal with it while standing the 30 minutes to Carayaó. After they let me off at the police station, I called Digna to send Milo. Unfortunately, he was nowhere to be found so I hiked the two blocks, watermelon in my arms, groceries in my backpack and made it home without dropping the watermelon. Carlos met me at the gate but no way was I going to let him get the credit for carrying my prize. It was a delicious watermelon and we’re already talking about our next watermelon adventure.

Digna’s birthday was Thursday. It turned into quite an event. The minute that she left for the cooperative, I was baking a carrot cake and oatmeal cookies. I had bought balloons and had Evy and Milo blow them up and make them into an arc. This was a very good thing because Digna was home before 10 a.m. because it was going to rain (which it did – deluge might be a better word). She was quite pleased with the decorations and the cake. In fact, she spent all day answering messages on her cell phone and telling everyone that we wouldn’t let her lift a hand and did everything for her all day (she is saying this as she prepares lunch, cleans the house, etc.) We ended up with a BBQ when Apolonio and Reina brought over their grill and cooked beef. The problem, of course, was that we were supposed to eat at 8 p.m. They didn’t bring the grill over until 8:30. We made potato salad and ate hot dogs. By the time the meat was done it was almost 10:30. It was quite a successful party. Digna was absolutely delighted, the cake turned out great and she guarded the cookies as if they were gold (Each person got one cookie each and one cookie only).

When I started baking the cookies I discovered that we had no more eggs and I asked Digna if I could send Milo to the local almacén. “No need,” she replied. “We have eggs. Let me show you.” And sure enough, we took a trip to the outside kitchen where a hen was setting on her nest. We lifted her up and there were 3 eggs! The hen wasn’t exactly happy when we took the eggs but now I know where to get eggs when we’re short!

Well, I’m off to treat my family to an all American dish – deviled eggs. I’ll let you know whether or not they like them in my next blog.