Passion for Paraguay

Since we last visited our friends in the USA, three years have gone by. First came covid, Covid shut us all down for what seemed forever. Then came a scorching drout which killed crops and even trees in Paraguay and parts of Argentina. With these events our economies faced inflation, and higher gas prices. And for the past few months the war between Russia and Ukraine made the world very uncomfortable. The political situation in the US is also under turmoil. As we have been reconnecting face to face, we all look like survivors from some final armagedon battles. Sitting down without a face mask and enjoying a cup of coffee with a friend is now a big deal. Personally I have come to appreciate these moments. Being alive after covid is a blessing in itself, and a priviledge.  We are currently on our home assigment, also called furlogh. We have been on the road for a few weeks. Driving the US roads is always a treat. I say treat, because as a general rule, people in the US follow s...

This afternoon Nicole and I went on a walk around our city plaza. On the way Nicole noticed a lady selling wrist bracelets, made of goat leader, crocodile teeth and some other interesting products. We stopped and entered into a conversation with a woman who was waiting for her husband and baby to arrive. They have left Venezuela a few years ago, and have been traveling thru South America. Why did you leave Venezuela, we asked? The lady said, things are not going well in our home country she said. And they found Paraguay to be a quiet and peaceful place. She did not want to go into detail. As we got home, Nicole asked why are things not going well in Venezuela? This question overruled all other subjects this evening at the dinner table. Mark gave his opinion, then Nancy, while Anahi listened in, trying to catch a little of what must have sounded like a foreign topic to her six year old mind. When we were done, Nancy and I looked at each other and realized how our kids got enga...