Landing in Paraguay I realized I knew nothing about this country. Maybe the name and a vague connection to football (or soccer for those who think I’m talking about oval balls and touchdowns)  So, ashamed of my ignorance I lowered my head when I told my hosts the awful truth. ‘Oh that’s ok !’ they said, ‘Paraguay is not known for it’s touristic popularity. But we’re here to tell you about the country!’

I then paid close attention as I was told how the country used to be very prosperous but was devastated by a long and arduous war in the 19th century with it’s neighboring countries that left them with only a fourth of their male inhabitants.  Today, Paraguay is a country still very much untouched by the tourist industry. There are thus still many native tribes, ‘some of which have never come into contact with the white man’ according to Grizzy my interpreter. 

This cultural richness can be seen in the art of Paraguay.  To prove it, I was taken to Aragua a popular town for artists and bohemians. Of course by then a tropical deluge was falling down on us so between running from car to shelter I didn’t get to see the place in it’s usual splendor.  This was made up by the welcoming nature of the people who were so eager to share their culture. All over you can find the typical pottery and wood sculptures made by locals. The strange thing is that many of these artists are world-renowned and are exhibited in places like New York and London. But these people still live in their typical colonial houses along the lake of Aragua and choose to live very simple lives.

Our hosts created these funny caricatures of us complete with accurate detail : Antonio with his camera and Tony with his sunglasses on his head. Hilarious!

This is the Coke bottle made out of clay painted by an english born artist who has been living in Paraguay for the last 40 years. Ysanne Gayet.

Happiness was not hard to find in this friendly place. Carlos, a local artist told me he expressed his happiness through drawing. He then grabbed a piece of paper and drew a picture for me on the spot. He called it : ‘A fruit bowl on a Sunday morning’ as it symbolizes the simple things in life that bring a smile to one’s face.   

The other side of happiness here in Paraguay is definitely music.

I enjoyed typical music from Paraguay by the local band Los Hechiceros Guaranies. They sing in spanish and in guarani, the native language.