Happy Holidays!

After a long and busy year I was desperate to get away from Asuncion and work. When my lovely Irish neighbours suggested a trip to Misiones, I jumped at the opportunity.

It was the most wonderful break. I loved being with the family. The two
boys, Sam and Ben, were incredibly well-behaved compared to their usual antics.

We went to Santa Maria De Fe, a little village in the countryside, in Misiones. There we were treated like royalty. The villagers were so friendly. The hotel is very small, with only three rooms, so we filled it. It is delightful, with a little wooden chapel at the end of the garden.

We were taken to Margaret Hebblethwaite's house, to her ressurrection garden, which is beautiful. (Margaret writes books about Paraguay. She is currently in UK).

Margaret set up a sewing cooperative in the village, where ladies sew applique scenes of Paraguay. These are then made into various goods such as t-shirts, wall-hangings, little purses etc. The goods are sold in gift shops in Asuncion and are also exported, bringing an income to the community.

We were also taken to a local farm, where there was a new-born calf and a Capybara (the largest rodent in the World).

We fed bananas to Howler monkeys that live in the trees in the main square.

We visited the local museum with exhibits from the Jesuit ruins.

In the early evening we went out on an ox-cart. It was a bit bumpy sitting on a plank of wood.

We were fed local food which was delicious.

It was a very relaxing place to be.

To top it all there was a fiesta on the last evening. It was due to start at 8.00p.m. but in true Paraguayan style, it started very late. The mayor made long speeches and all the little children were waiting to dance. The dancing began at around 11.00 pm.

There was also a group of young adult dancers who were excellent.

Mini gauchos (cowboys) strut their stuff

In the afternoon we had been taken to the house of the local harp

teacher. He and his pupil played later that evening.

There was only one down point, (not the villagers' fault) when we had
a power cut for several hours, in the hottest part of the day. It
was 42C!!!!

On day three we drove to the ruins at San Cosme and St Damian. I had been thirteen years ago not knowing anything about it and I was unable to find anybody to tell me anything. Now it is much better. We had a guide and also visited an observatory there. It was all very interesting and the
boys had loads of questions to ask. They are so bright.

From there we drove across country to Bella Vista where we stayed in the plush Papillon hotel for a couple of nights so that we could visit the largest Jesuit ruins at Trinidad.

We went to the ruins in the early morning and then spent the rest of the day in the swimming pool at the hotel.

This is the life for me.

After dinner, in the evening, we went back to the ruins for the Music and light Festival. We were almost the only people there and we had a personal tour. It was kind of eerie, walking in the darkness. The stars above us were so clear and beautiful.

I wish that I could give you sound too. Unfortunately the wind howled over it when I took a video, so I could not add that. Some of it was a bit reminiscent of the music from the film The Mission. It was a really fantastic spectacular and for once we felt cool.

All in all it was a great break. Now we have Christmas fun ahead.