Party time in Tacuatí
I’m in Asunción for a few days. There’s always a lot to do when I’m here. Groceries and supplies to be bought, library books to exchange, e-mail to read, air to be conditioned, and green vegetables to be consumed.
This time, I’ve also got a ton of photos to be developed. My landlady’s oldest daughter (who’s also one of my computer students) recently had her fifteenth birthday party. So this month, in lieu of rent, I’m developing about a hundred different shots of friends, family, and frilly dresses.
Digital cameras are getting more popular in Paraguay, in much the same way that cell phones are. We seem to have by-passed film cameras and land lines completely. But cameras still aren’t quite ubiquitous yet, so I offer to take pictures when I get invited to events. And looking over the photos after the fact is a good way to get to put names to faces.
The Guaraní word of the day is the suffix -hape, meaning one’s presence at an event or party. Jahata fiestahape? Yes, thanks.