August 11th, 2008 Weylin
Just in case you missed it, we thought we should write and alert you that Paraguay was in the US news this past weekend. Actually the subject was the outgoing US Ambassador to Paraguay. James Carson was interviewed by NPR’s Scott Simon on Weekend Edition Saturday. (HERE to listen)
While the NPR review seemed pretty positive, reviews here in Paraguay have been more mixed:
“In a review of the CD release show in the Ultima Hora newspaper, a critic noted that Cason ‘’sat on a stool with the lyrics in front of him” during the entire performance, appearing ”nervous or unsure about the tune and pronunciation of Guaraní.” The newspaper La Nación was more direct: The ambassador, it said, “sang in the monotone of a tired bird.”
And here’s a translation from an ABC (Paraguayan newspaper) article:
“The radical liberal senator Laino Sunday announced to the media presentation of a draft resolution of the Upper House of reproach against the American ambassador in Asuncion, James Cason. . According Laino, the diplomat “offended the Paraguayan people” with its interventions in artistic works.
The American ambassador in Asuncion offended the Paraguayan people with their artistic interventions because pretend to speak in Guarani language has said anything, according Laino said.
By pretending to speak in Guarani language, James Cason balbucea and offends, said liberal legislator noting that the diplomat should be the subject of public criticism.“
Cason also disguises of bishop in plays with his voice and bad manners seeks to imitate Paraguayan artists performing very poor interpretations of songs Guarani, said the politician.
Whatever you may think of his music, James Cason has our respect and that of many Paraguayans for taking the time and effort to learn Guaraní, a language that is a huge part of Paraguayan culture and identity.
Posted in Paraguay | 2 Comments »
July 25th, 2008 Weylin
Wow, once again there has been a lapse in our posting. But, we have been busy. Here’s the run-down of what we’ve been up to: Starting in mid-June we had guests for a few weeks, friend Kate and Weylin’s mother and niece Kamilah. We packed in lots of sightseeing and experiences having here in Paraguay!
- Kate came with us to a Paraguay vs. Brazil fútbol game (sold-out stadium and Paraguay won!) Paraguay Wins!
- Kate and Weylin got an exclusive tour of the airport tower! You wouldn’t believe it! Silvio Pettirossi Airport in Asuncion.
- We rode on the world’s oldest operational wood-fired steam engine! The train took us from Asuncion
to Aregua and we were entertained by actors playing out a historical comedy– all in Spanish and Guarani, and a live chicken was one of the props!
- Tourist shopping in Asuncion– great stuff at the train station!
- We attended a Quince (15th birthday party) for a friend of Katherine. Great privledge to take part in such a special and significant family event– they put grand effort into these parties.
- Bus ride to Tarumandy
- Cooking traditional Paraguayan and Guarani food with teachers and parents at the Tarumandy school.
- Local shopping at jewelry stores in Luque- know for silver jewelry and Filigree.
- Fantastic trip to Encarnacion: there we saw Jesuit Ruins
,
Toured the Selecta (click HERE to see Selecta website) Yerba Mate factory,
- And, we found the best Chipas ever at El Gordo.
Once again it was fantastic to be able to, first hand, share our Paraguayan and Luquenian lives with friends and family. Ofelia loved having all of the visitors and ate up all that attention. She’s constantly on the move these days and keeps us busy and entertained.
Katherine has been busy with her research, both doing field work and processing data here at home. I (Weylin) have been making increased efforts to interact with people in Español as much as possible. I buy herbs at the mercado and meet weekly with a new friend– I practice Español and he practices English. Its nice to finally feel like I can get some basic communication done– though the finer details of conversation still escape me (it is a process after all).
We’re headed off for a weekend trip to Concepción. When we get back we’ll get up some more pics from the ruins and our journies.
Posted in Luque, Pictures, Update | No Comments »
