Catez tagged me for this meme, and I am happy to oblige:
1. What do you like most about where you live?
I like the fact that families here still have a strong influence. I also like the low cost of living, and the beautiful nature. Another thing I like a lot is the level of integration and mixing among the different ethnic groups living in Paraguay. I would be naïve if I think there is no racism; but thanks to God we have it easier than other parts of the world.
Finally, and this is with all due respect for the ladies, I would like to say that something that I like a lot about here is the women. Women here are incredibly beautiful, charming, intelligent, passionate, and they know how to take care of their men. Believe me, I married one of them 😉 Sadly, many women here are still oppressed by unjust sexist practices and social norms.
2. Is there anything strange about where you live?
In fact, lots! In many senses, Paraguay is a land full of weirdness. How about this: Mennonites supposedly are pacifists, they refuse to hold political office and they object to military services. Well, enter Mr. Nicanor Duarte, President of Paraguay, Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces… and a Mennonite!
Another thing I find really strange is the typical food. We are an almost tropical country, but judging from the calories furnished by our typical food, a stranger would think we are the Spitzbergen Islands or something near the vicinity 😀
We don’t have coasts on the sea, but we have an important Navy for a country of our size… and I could go on and on and on…
3. What’s one of your all-time favourite music albums, and why?
This one. Since I discovered it some 6 or 7 years ago, Renaissance polyphony is my favorite music, and this recording is a superb example of it.
4. Did you have a passion for something as a kid that you still have now? (If not – what is one of your passions now?)
I could actually cite two — Reading, and listening to classical music. Borges said once that his idea of heaven would be an enormous library, and I concur. As for Classical music, I loved it since I heard it. The only difference is the period: When I was a child, I heard mostly Classical and Romantic period music; now I hear mostly Renaissance and Baroque.
5. What do you like most about having a blog?
I always was toying with ideas and thoughts, but never had the drive to write them down and publish them. Now I can, thanks to the fact that I have a blog. I also enjoy interacting with my readers, and the fact that I could share my ideas all over the world.
Now, I should pick three or more people, so here they are: Tim, The Hermitage, and Rae. If you’re not mentioned, that should not deter you… feel free to join me!
1. OKC is relatively low cost as US cities go. There is a large and vibrant faith community, highly varied.
2. Oklahoma has the stupidest and largest of all state constitutions. It is really not a proper constitution, but a fat pile of by-laws. It opens the door to a hideous level of corruption which rivals any other state.
3. “Rock in a Hard Place” by Bloodgood. I’m thoroughly eclectic in my tastes, but this one moved me in a good direction when I had deep spiritual needs. It was a toss-up between that and “Classical Gas” by Mannheim Steamroller and Mason Williams, which I love for sheer artistry.
4. Ditto on Eduardo’s basic answer.
5. I feel compelled to write every day. I must confess I doubt many read it, but it’s good therapy and good practice regardless.
Interesting Eduardo. Sounds like a good place to live. I like Classical music, although I don’t think I know it as well as you do. I don;t know much Baroque for example. Thanks for doing this, I enhjoyed reading it.
Ed: Interesting. Looks like there’s not too much of a difference between OK State and Paraguay… 🙂
Catez: Thanks! Indeed, Paraguay is a great place to live despite all the “challenges” (read: inconveniences and nuisances). As for Baroque music, I am sure you are acquainted with it: Bach, Handel, Vivaldi…
Hey Eduardo, nice to “meet” you. I just stumbled upon your blog, read a little bit, and noticed you mentioned President Nicanor being a mennonite and commander in chief. While on the surface it looks like a blaring contradiction, I think there are some things to be taken into account:
First of all, he is not really mennonite by any stretch of the imagination – not culturally in the “blonde children of mennonite immigrants” sense, nor has he ever formally become part of the mennonite congregation (raices) he sometimes visits on sundays. His wife has, but he hasn’t.
Sorry if the following is too obvious, but no one need to fully adhere to mennonite theology to be attending services. I know I haven’t. 🙂 Same with the President.
Saludos!
Hi Juergen, thanks for posting your comment. There’s a thing some people say: “walks like a duck, talks like a duck…”
President Duarte Frutos has a Mennonite wife, had a Mennonite private secretary (who was baptized while holding office) who is now a member of one of our hydroelectric dam’s directories. Duarte Frutos attends the services, and has Mennonite ministers in his cabinet. After he became President, the number of Mennonite and Protestant church members holding office in high government posts has increased greatly. His convictions are those of an Anabaptist.
So? I expect him to be baptized as soon as he leaves office. That’s why not only me, but almost everyone in Paraguay, regards him as a Mennonite. He is no innocent bystander in church services.
Welcome here, and come back often 🙂