May 14,

  Happy ‘Independencia Dia Paraguay’!

Today is Paraguay’s recognized day of Independence. The country declared its independence from Spain on May 14, 1811. So we had plans to check out their festivities. We got up and around, having our Javas and breakfast of avocado/guacamole with skillet browned toast. Yummy way to start!

Once finished, I blogged and then we set out. At 1144, we went in a MUV taxi – their version of Uber – to downtown where the bulk of the festival was happening. This ride cost us 24,000 PYG ($3.94). Our driver was doing a fine job, but roads were closed down and many diversions due to the activities. On one stretch we saw a motorcycle police escort of maybe five black SUVs with flashing lights. Our driver said El Presidente. I figured as much. The escort was leaving downtown. Anyway, we were finally close enough that we opted to bail out early on the driver. It’s gonna be a long day for him!

We walked about just taking it all in. Jeff had a walking tour lined up, but we pretty much gave up on it. We first walked through Plaza Uruguay, and noticed a couple of statues. There was also a group of ladies in festive dresses. Paraguay flags were all over decorating buildings here, one such building was the Museo Ferroviario. We paid 10,000 PYG ($1.64)each for entry. This was the old central train station of Asuncion. The museum side was six small rooms that told of the train station. It was all in Spanish of course, but there were all manner of different displays for everyday needs of the train system. Then outside of the museum were a couple of train cars, an engine and a passenger car that we could go in. The station only had two lines of track and only served one line that went out 370 kms (230 miles) with one branch line that was only like 20 km (12 miles). Those numbers are from memory and maybe off. We always love trains, but we moved on.

Next we went to Cathedral Metropolitana Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion, or Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. It is the main Catholic church in the city, and the front was decked out in red, white and blue streamers. It was not open for touring, too bad. I would’ve enjoyed it. Right in front of the cathedral was a big open green space and this seemed to be where much was happening. There was a hoard of people, food courts, and souvenir stands. Outside of Centro Cultural de la Republica El Cabildo (Cultural Center of the Republic) was a stage. Many young girls were meandering…they were decked out in lovely flowing white dresses with red and blue trim and red flowered hair adornments. The stage was being sound checked for them to do dances. We stuck around and were rewarded with them twirling about, hems of their skirts flying and rippling about continuously after them. They were having fun traipsing about the stage and the onlookers were adoring their performance. We watched Argentine dancers, adult couples doing maybe Argentine steps; and then Ecuadorian dancers. We stopped then, because the dances were not Paraguayan and we were hungry.

We went to the food courts and found them to be all types of cuisines, each stand labeled France, Uruguay, Italy, India, Korean, etc. We found the Paraguay stands (there were three as it should be). We had Choripan, a grilled Chorizo (sausage) on a baguette; Chorizo filled with cheese and Cassava pieces; and an onion Chipa Guazu. It was all good and only cost us 30,000 PYG ($4.92)…very cheap for a “fair-type” situation. Finished, we walked about more and saw more ladies dressed up. It amazed me how much the people have gone all out for Paraguay’s 215 year independence celebration. They even have their dogs dressed up!

Next we walked to Teatro Nacional de las Artes y Musica Teatro Municipal (National Theater of Arts and Music Municipal Theater), which was open and free for all to see the main hall. The place was not ornate or elaborately decorated, but rather nice in its simplicity. Jeff saw that some of the dancers will be performing here tomorrow. Right near here was the Casa de la Indepencia, a Colonial House in which Paraguay’s Independence was declared. It was also free – fascinating in that we don’t really have a building like this and it was a home. It was packed wall to wall with people today. In the courtyard was a plaque that might be likened to a Preamble for Paraguay. Next we walked along blocked off streets that had little stalls selling all kinds of stuff. We meandered, doing people watching also. We saw a boy dressed up and playing drums! There were many more dogs spruced up as well.

Now we went to our last place, Oratorio de la Virgen de la Asuncion Panteon de los Heroes, a building for the Patron Saint of Asuncion and a Mausoleum of some remains of the main heroes of Paraguay. The building itself took over seventy years to build, according to a placard, starting in 1863. The ‘outbreak of the War against the Triple Alliance’ interrupted its progress. It was resumed in 1929, but again was delayed by another war, the Chaco War. Finally, it was resumed and completed in 1936. It is an extraordinary building with a high-domed rotunda center over the mausoleum. Nicely done to credit the seventy plus years and at least three architects. This place was also flowing with people as it should be on this day.

Finally we ended our venture going to the Parana River, which marks the edge of the city of Asuncion and a boundary of Paraguay and Argentina. We walked along it briefly, noting the big bridge that spans the river and this border. There was a small beach area, and a couple of naval ships. Along the boardwalk we saw a statue of Ghandi, don’t know that there’s a significance of M. Gandhi relating to Paraguay, but it was a nice tribute all the same. Further on there were two statues relating to Korea- one was Haenyeo, a woman Jeju free diver! Korea donated it to Asuncion, as a symbol of brotherhood. That was cool to see and brought back memories.

Jeff now E-hailed another MUV taxi and we went back to our place. It was Culture day in Paraguay. We settled in and had a snack supper of cheese, pear, hummus, crackers and pretzels. As we were eating we heard and saw Macaws flying by our building. What a fantastic ending to the day!