Our first day in Villarrica, the capital of the Guira department, began with a tour of the city guided by Lidia Sarubbi de Hoge, who teaches and directs many activities at the Colegio Technio y Centro de Entremiento vocacional de Villarrica and is well known locally as "Teacher Lidia." Lidia shared some local history with us during the short ride from Hotel Ybytyruzu to the center of town. The town's center, for example, had been relocated seven times due to Indian attacks. She also mentioned that Villarrica del Espirtu Santo is the town's "real" name.
Our tour took us past the church and through an attractive the Plaza de los libertad with curved pathways radiating from a central monument. Villarrica appears to be somewhat of a cultural center for Paraguay with its three universities, a philharmonic and several other art related institutions. Monuments honoring cultural achievement provide further evidence of this community's value for the arts. The educational institutions also help feed the local economy, which we have found to be worsening at an alarming rate throughout the country.

One of the first things we noticed as entered the governor's office was an altar to the Virgen de Caacupe. Prior to the coup eight years ago, the Governor's office housed the police. Though unable to meet with the governor, we were welcomed to the city by Digno Cababrera, the Secretary of Education.