June 20, 2013
Paraguay is starting the winter months now. It
rains lightly most days and, occasionally, they have torrential rains that try
to flood the streets. For the time being, the temperatures are between 50 and
65 degrees F. It should get down to 32 degrees before the winter is out. Temps
are similar to Orlando, FL.
The people are kind, en Español se dicen
"amables". There is a middle class here, but for the most part,
there isn't much opportunity. I've been in the nicer parts of the city, but,
you can tell that there is poverty around. There is a fair amount of German,
Italian, and US influence.
The markets have local goods and produce with
lower prices than the grocery stores. However, the grocery stores have a better
selection and all the groceries in one place. Beef and vegetable cost about 60%
of the US costs and they don't have real expensive cuts like we do. If
you want bleach to wash your clothes, the cost is 2.5 time the US cost.....it's
imported. Coke products cost about twice as much as at home, but local drinks
cost the same.
I spoke with the lady that cleans my room at
the hotel. She makes the minimum salary of $400/month. You cannot buy a house
with that kind of money. She has four sons that are 17-23 years old. When the
youngest was 9, she went alone to Spain and worked for four years. She bought
her house when she returned. Her transportation costs are &1 each day and
she works 6-7 days a week. If the hotel is not crowded, she can get every other Sundayoff.
My Spanish is improving. If I'm around someone
that speaks English, it is more difficult to switch and speak Spanish. However,
my Spanish is getting much better.
Prayers to find a good place to live, for
safety, and for all to go well are appreciated. I miss the family, but, Lord
willing, in a few months, I'll see them.
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