July 30, 2002 |
July 30, 2002 |
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Today's ECHO activities brought to you by |
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We awoke to a beautiful sunny and breezy morning here in the river city of Concepcion, in the department of Concepcion, Paraguay. Lala Royg, our morning guide, a native of this agricultural town, informed us cotton and beef are the major products, with the beef generally going to Brazil. Concepcion is a small city of about 50,000 that is situated on the Rio Paraguay. Some streets are paved or stone-cobbled and others are dirt. 19th century buildings lined many of the city streets, which teemed with horse-drawn carts, motor scooters, and small foreign cars. |
| Our first stop was to the Museo Municipal Del Cuartel de la Villa Real, which the Spanish embassy rebuilt in 1870. It was from here that Mariscal Lopez marched his troops to launch the Triple Alliance War. The museum housed many indigenous artifacts as well as relics from the Chaco War. Here we learned the founder of Concepcion was Agustin Fernando De Pinedo and the indigenous Paraguayans were the Mbayas. |  |
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We left this museum and walked several blocks passing through a square that was a Park to Liberty. It seems each town we pass though has a statue to Liberdad. Across from the park was the Museo Diocensano Arte Sacro e Historia de la Iglesia local. This museum was adjacent to the Iglesia Cathedral, which was built in the last century. The museum housed numerous religious relics including ornate confessionals, carved wooden statues of Jesus, and a large cast bell that was stolen from Bolivia in the 1930's, during the Chaco War. Lala said this bell would someday be returned to Bolivia. We then went next door, climbed the steps to the Iglesia Cathedral as the sun rose high, along with the humidity. The weather was the warmest we had experienced thus far during this winter month! The church contained an altar over 24 feet tall that was rebuilt in 1991. It was a modern depiction of the resurrection that was composed of thin wood pieces that were cut, painted, and pieced. From here we visited the Club Concepcion, a sport and social club, built in 1916. This exclusive club only allows men to serve as president, though entire families can be members. The club hosts dances, debutant balls, graduation parties and educational seminars. Sports include swimming, basketball, bowling and soccer. |
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We then boarded the bus and headed to a private-public
school called San Jose of the Catholic Church. Here the students were
celebrating Friendship Day, and we arrived to find them dancing to lively
and loud Brazilian music, in an open-air stadium. Their day began with
a 7:30 mass. The students returned to their rooms to share poems and writings
on friendship. They exchanged gifts with their secret pals and then the
entire school enjoyed several hours of dancing and socializing.
Outside the school stands an enormous statue called the Virgen Maria Auxiliadora. This statue towers over one of the main boulevards. Many in the Echo group took the chance to climb stairs that led to the base of the statue for a different perspective, photo opportunities, and even a dance. |
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We are ending yet another day in Paraguay admiring her spectacular sunsets. It is hard to beleive we are more than half-way through. Trying to savor every flavor, color, and impression has become a daily priority. |
