ECHO 2002 Daily Diary  
Columbia Education Center
ECHO 2002
DAILY DIARY
July 12, 2002

Today's ECHO activities brought to you by:


Team "Liberty Spuds"

Linda Nolevanko
Yohandre Suarez
Jim Harper

 


Oratoria a la Virgen de Asuncion

This church in the plaza of the hero's contains the coffin of the unknown soldier of Paraguay, and tributes to the Paraguayan presidents.

 Mba'eichapa
That means "how are you?" in the main language of Paraguay, which is taught to Japanese exchange participants by this morning's guide; Pedro Martinez. Pedro led us patiently through the Brazilian Consulate and then the Brazilian bank, where US$1 bought 6,100 Guaranies. Moving into the Plaza de los Heroes, we got the low-down on Paraguayan history. The most important date in recent history is 1989, when the Strassner dictatorship was overthrown. But before that there were two major wars and a relatively early declaration of independence from Spain. Here are some of the major events:

1537, August 15: "Asuncion was founded by accident," claims Pedro, when Juan de Salazar was kicked out of Argentina by the "Pampas" Indians;

1609: Arrival of Jesuits/Franciscans, who preserved the Guarani language;

1767: Jesuits expelled by Spain;

1811, May 14: The Republic of Paraguay declares independence from Spain;

1864-70: The "Triple Alliance" War (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay with English support), which left Paraguay with one million dead and 300,000 survivors - mostly women. It was women that rebuilt the country thus they are highly honored, says Pedro;

1932-35: Chaco War, when territory was lost to Bolivia;

1954-1989: Strossner dictatorship.



Street vendor balances a basket of "Chipa," a typical bread made from cornmeal.



Window in the Oratoria a la Virgen de Asuncion honoring the presidents of the Republic.



Pedro Martinez with religious relics at the Casa de la Independencia (House of Independence).

As you can see, Paraguay is a very young democracy that has survived the pressures of colonialism, regional conflicts and internal strife. Daily life and long-term expectations remain somewhat unpredictable, says Pedro, because "in Paraguay, everything is possible."

After an expedition to buy postage stamps, we wound up at Pancholo, fast-food pizza and burgers Paraguayan style. Meals cost slightly less than a dollar and the pizzas were served on a slice of tree trunk!

PARA-TESOL
Next stop: the 13th annual conference of the Paraguayan Teachers of English To Students of Other Languages, located on the lovely colonial Spanish-style campus of the Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola, it showcased curriculum materials and various seminars - including one that ended with a James Taylor sing-along! (We're back at the conference tomorrow…).

EXPO 2002
Night time is the right time for an agricultural fair. Walking through the gates, we saw…car dealers! Moving on to more familiar ground, there was junk food, cows, pigs, bumper cars and beer. Then there was the mystery of the "Lamb Man" with the Idaho pin. Could that have been a small token of ECHO goodwill - Linda?



Debate of the Day: Surviving in Hard Times
If Paraguay is experiencing financial instability, 15 - 35% unemployment rate and unpaid civil servants, then why aren't we seeing more beggars and homeless people? Certainly we have seen large shanty-towns that appear unlivable and have been clued-in to what appears as either the government's lack of empathy or resources to handle social problems, but we have not been accosted by desperate-looking people while on the streets of central Asuncion. Pedro Martinez explains that it is because of the family-oriented culture, which seems to be the acting social welfare system. Also, we have learned that fruit grows so abundantly here that a large portion goes unconsumed - perhaps it's the abundance of these natural food resources that quells the hunger and desperation of the masses. But will this country of young people (about 70% of the population is under age 30) be able to sustain its high population growth and improve its economy without destroying its natural resources and environment? And will this new generation learn to assert their constitutional rights and make their leaders accountable? We hope so, and we hope to find more answers over the next month. .

"Globalism at the Fair"