The 3 Frontiers

March 12, 1994 (Saturday)
  In Ciudad del Este after eating lunch (Chinese Restaurant).  Shirley vomited on the way. Taste of a soup.



March 26,1994 (Saturday)
  Normal work day today in exchange a longer Easter Holidays.


March 27,1994 (Sunday)
   In  the Morning Mr. Quintana invited Paul and us to  go  to
Argentina to see the 3 Frontiers Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil.


We  had 3 photos there. After that we went for lunch Dragon  Restaurant (Chinese)

Fingerprints for the police

March 09,1994 (Wednesday)
  Silvina  accompanied Shirley to go to Km.16 to have my  fingerprints in  front of police officer but unluckily we weren't able to  get what we want .

The police ask us to go to ciudad del este  another police asks us to go to Asuncion because the Chinese Consulate  is in Asuncion.

  We  invite Silvina to eat in Chinese Restaurant. It is  already 12:00 when we reach home.


March 10,1994 (Thursday)
   Ole  called  me and suggest me ask in the Philippines  to  get Police Clearance for me.


March 11,1994 (Friday)
  Shirley telephoned  home  at 5:30 A.M (Cora) and asked  her  to  get Police Clearance for me.

  Went  for monthly check up in Km.41. After that we  ate  soup noodle and then directly to supermercado to buy something.

Iguazú Falls - World's 2nd largest waterfall

Iguazú Falls

6th March 1994 Sunday


In the morning we went to Brazil (Cataratas) to see the second biggest waterfall. We took few photographs there.

Iguazú Falls can be visited from 2 countries - Brazil and Argentina.

The Brazilian side of the falls has more crowded than the Argentinean side because Brazil side has only one path leading to the falls. Brazil side the views are more panoramic, but Argentinean side has more falls.

Visitor need to stick to the allotted areas and walkways.

More photos from Google Image on Iguazú Falls :

Images for Iguazú Falls

After that we directly go to Chinese restaurant and eat delicious food. Mr. Quintana paid 75000 guaranies.

I am still fasting so I just sit beside. They packed the left over for me.

Backed home, I put the rabbit mouse in the cage of the chicken. The rabbit mouse bites me.

Persimmon tree is ridden with ripe fruits. I climb up.

Looking for baby shop

March 04,94 (Friday)
  Grass cutter found  a  rabbit mouse. I bought the rabbit mouse for 10,000 guaranies.


March 05,94(Saturday)
   We walk and walk looking for shops selling baby things and maternity dress. We came to a place selling baby FARLIN brand.

We  walk  in  Lai Lai to find the printer ribbon but unable to find.

  At night we sat in the garden and drink cola.

Dinner with the guard

February,15,1994(Tuesday) Eat dinner in the house of Luis(guard) together with us are Paul and Mr. Quintana. Quintana bought 4 cerveza.

February 18,94(Friday) Mr.Ole came and treat us lunch in Country club. At night we eat dinner in Caballeros house. Paul also cooked noodles.


February 21,1994 (Monday) Produced Guatambu cosinado.

We have a baby

Image above : The above image from scanner monitor showing date 11th February 1994 with indication 9 weeks 5 Days. The EDD (Estimated Delivery) indicated 11th September 1994

February 11, 1994 (Friday) Went to Km.41.In the hospital for check up. Nelson was the one who sent us to hospital.

Good news from Shirley. The doctor examines Shirley using scanner and from the monitor an image of a baby 2 months.

Next, Shirley goes to the next room to see a second doctor for further analysis and will get the result on Monday.

Her  weight is 53.7 kilos.


February 12, 1994 (Saturday) Went to km.41 again. Eat lamen soup and fried rice in Japanese restaurant. Buy something in supermercado and directly to km.36. to buy fish.

At night Paul cooked steamed fish.



February 14, 1994(Monday) Caballero sent us to Km.41 to get the result of Shirley Analysis.
The doctor asks Shirley to come back every month.

After hospital we eat in Japanese restaurant and order fried noodle and hot milk for  4100 Guaranies.

After eating we bought something in supermercado in km. 41.

Valentines day. I went to Carlos’s house and plucked 3 flowers from his front yard. His wife refuses to accept the money but I said this is gift money for their children.

Chinese New Year Eve 1994

1994 Chinese New Year Eve
9th February 1994 Wednesday

Feb.09, 94 (Wednesday) Mr. Ole and Marcos came at 12:00.We went to Country Club for  lunch Mr. Ole treat us.

Tonight is Chinese New Year Eve.  Paul suggested a dinner get together and inviting the Factory Manager and Production Manager.


So at night off we went across the border to Brazil in 2 cars to a Chinese restaurant in Foz.


In the group are Mr. Quintana, Raul Nunez and wife, Paul, and us.

There was an unhappy incident happen. Mr. Quintana's car came to a parking space near the Chinese restaurant (we follow his car) a small group of young men of 2 or 3 approached him and offer to take care of his car for a small fee while parking there because anything can happen to the car if no one around to keep an eye.  But Mr. Quintana decided that it was unnecessary and turns down the offer of these young men.

After the dinner we return to the car to discover a broken side mirror. The damagers were non other then the few young people who came earlier and now could not be seen around.

After dinner we return to Paraguay and drop by the casino to have a look.  The casino is just couple of kilometers from the border bridge. They all play except two of us.

By the time we reach home is almost 12:00 midnight



Feb.10, 1994 (Thursday) It's the first celebration day of Chinese New Year.

Marcos came to discuss about a batter report format.

While we are eating cracker in the office suddenly Mr.Ole came to get our Passport for applying visa to stay in Paraguay.

At night we celebrate again the Chinese New Year in Ciudad del este (restaurant). Together with us is Mr. Quintana.

Chinese New Year

February 01,1994 (TUESDAY)

Bought  1 kilo of ice cream from nearby shop and we just sit and eat  in the open space.


Feb.02, 1994(Wednesday) Went to mandiorka garden to buy some fresh corn but harvest is over, and they do not have any fresh corn anymore. But they have dried corn seed which we bought some for our chicken.

We also bought some mandiorka.

At night Mr. Quintana eat dinner in the house we had eaten noodles cooked by Paul. Mr. Quintana asked Carlos to buy soft drinks.

Baby sitting for the bride on her wedding day

January 22 1994  (Saturday) Renewed the P.O.Box for 45,000 guarani in the post office.

  

Jose Farias and Marie’s wedding day.

In the afternoon at around 5:00 Paul and we followed Jose’s car to km. 16 to attend his wedding.

Shirley and I help took care (baby sit) of the baby of Marie (the bride) so that the bride and bridegroom and concentrate on their wedding.  

Quintana came.

We left the wedding 12:30 midnight following the car of Mr. Quintana.

January 27, 1994  (Wednesday) The 4 new machines from Taiwan arrived.  

January 28, 1994  (Thursday) The new GM of Macosur Marcos Antonio came to Macosur.

Adam gave us a pan as gift.

I went out for dinner with Marcos, Quintana and Paul.

The sign from vomitting

January 14, 1994 (Friday)

Paul arrives today from Asuncion tomorrow he will come to Macosur.

January 17, 1994  (Monday)

Paul, from Taiwan, has come on Saturday.

Shirley vomited for 3 times early this morning on the way to office. I could not attend to her because I must attend to Paul first.

I decided to bring her for a check up.

Air conditioner

January 07, 191994  (Friday) Jose installs the air condition in our office.

Workers are happy. Today is salary advance day for them.  

Jan.08, 191994  (Saturday) I went to the ciudad del este alone just to collect our weekly mails.

No much money left for Shirley to buy things.

Whole body is itchy. Can't walk well with 3 pimples.  I wonder the cause is from contaminated well water by the dead toad found few days earlier.

At around 2:00 P.M. Suddenly rain.  

January 09, 191994  (Sunday) At around 10:30 Jose came to bring us to his house at Km.16.

He cooked asado vaca with mandiorka. After eating he took us for a walk in his land. He has the intension of selling. It a beautiful piece of land.

We took the 2:00 bus to ciudad del este to attend Buddhist talk in a house temple in a shop house. Not interesting and I was sleepy.

JANUARY 11, 191994  (Tuesday) At night at around 11:00 p.m. Night shift double sizerer machine operator, Adam hurt his arm and send to hospital.  

January 13, 191994  (Thursday) The operator Hammes resigned because of the parquets wrong measurements. The night shift produced 45 cm. instead of 45.5. 

Drinking water of rotten toad with worms

January 03, 191994  (Monday) A first day of work.

Mr. Quintana noticed that the water supplied from the well was not good so he asked Vanderley to see the well.

Inside the well is rotten toad (frog) with worms. We have been drinking and bathing with water from the well.

Lucy and Vanderley busy the whole day to drain out all water from the well.

Paraguay has big rivers and many lakes. But our whole local area has no water treatment. No water supply system. Every house here has their own well. The poor scoop water out from well with buckets while those can afford will install an electric water pump.

After the well emptied, Mr. Quintana put medicine into the well. In a couple of days the well will be fully filled back with water again.

Lunch time we just eat fruit salad and toasted bread. At night I cooked thin noodle with chicken and sardines. We drink 3 cups of tea (each).

Afternoon we played badminton.  This is our regular games which play every couple of days.

Baby birds gone on the first day of new year 1994

January 01, 1994  (Saturday) It's New Year time! Both of us woke up at late morning between 10:00 to 11:00. This morning at 12:00 We eat pancit and bread for our breakfast at the same time lunch.

The baby birds were gone.

We had curry vegetables for dinner but Vanderley and Carlos did not eat much because for them curry is too hot.

January 02, 191994  (Sunday) I made a wooden stand for putting plates.

New Year Eve 1994

December 31, 93 (Friday) Last day of 1993. We bought 2 tins of Peach to visit Juan.  Juan was the young farmer we visited month ago. There is no special event to see Juan but that my interest to see his farm again. He and his mother live in a typical farm house in Paraguay and those of in South America.

Unfortunate I never took a photo of the farm for memory.

Juan, in return gave us also a chicken and pumpkin.

He expresses interest to borrow some money from me to start some sort of small sundry shop in his house. How I am beginning to learn a habit of the local ‘borrowing money’.

While back in Malaysia, borrowing money is not a good thing for one reputation, over here borrowing money is a way of life, a habit.  But Malaysian are not must batter, only that we have a more Intellecture word to beautify the habit. Instead of blandly say “Borrow money”, in the big city we use the words “Credit” and “Installment”. 

Here it goes again, at night Jose came and borrowed 20,000 Guaranies and promised to pay on Tuesday.

For New Year Eve dinner

Jose bought carne va ca for barbeque.

Shirley cooked pancit and sticky rice.

The brother of Vanderley came together with the boyfriend of Vanderley to eat dinner with us. It's 12:00midnight  WELCOME TO THE YEAR 1994.

Happy Birthday

Dec.26, 93 (Sunday) Went to the city.  The city opens only half day today.

Dec.27, 93 (Monday) Shirley birthday

Invited workers to come to eat lunch .

Esmelda came to help Shirley. She gave Shirley  a wine bottle and a wine glass as present.

Carlos gave a blouse with color pink.

We have sandia. Its water melon season.

Luis Roberta was late we already finished eating when he came. In the afternoon it was raining.

Christmas in Paraguay

Dec. 20 1993 (Monday) Workers work up to 3:00PM only. Holiday mood. Some already started Christmas vacation.

The nephew of Lucy came to macosur selling Ice cream.  Carlos and Shirley bought 2 ice creams each..

December 21, 93 (Tuesday) Fixed a new air conditioner in my office.

Hugo was the one who put up the air condition is assisted by Luis .

Dec 24, 1993 (Friday) Lucy and Shirley  went to ciudad del este to buy something for tonight noche Buena. In ciudad del este only half day until 12:00.

Shirley cooked spaghetti for noche buena

Wife of Luis cooked mandiorka

Luis barbequing 2 whole chickens.

When 12:00 (Noche buena) came everybody greet each other . Luis kissed his wife. Carlos’s wife did not come.

While we are eating Eduardo came just to greet us.

Dec.25, 93 (Saturday) Its Christmas Day. At 8:30 we went to Church. Only 22 people in the church .

After reaching home we eat breakfast in the garden. We invited Luis, Jose,Nestor ,Mario was late. It was already 10:30 when we decided to go to house of Esmelda together with Jose.

In the house of Esmelda she introduce her daughter who was working in Argentina. After eating Lunch we go to the river to swim but we did not swim.

At around 2:30 We went to house of Torres after drinking coke we come back to macosur.

Gift Exchange again

December 19, 93 (Sunday) Today we had a very party than last Sunday.

The following workers who came were: 1 Raul Nunez, Maximo Paiva and the sister, Ana Maidana, Arcildo Varon, Jose Maciado, Valdovino, Hugo, Eduardo, Nestor, Lucy Luis, the late comer were Celia and Angel and also Jose

My gift from Carlos is brief and cap, Shirley gift from Ana was also a cap those are both nice. 

Driving

Dec.16, 93 (Thursday) An exciting day for Shirley for her first time to learn to drive a forklift and a car.

Nestor (the folk lift driver) taught her how to drive and lifting up the woods.

In the afternoon at around 5:00 P.M Jose and Evilio came with the car and brought us to KM 16 and 20 and teach her how to drive. Jose also brought us and shows us his house and it was a very nice place.

The company wants me to learn to drive because my works involved in traveling.

December17, 93 (Friday) Happy day for the all workers in this pay day.  Early payday in this month of December for a long Christmas holidays.

Other then  salary, the factory also give (regalo) of  el Pan and Sidra.

Sidra is a traditional beverage fermented from Apple juice.

At night Hugo Caballero invited us to his Despedida (means Farewell). He will walk to Asuncion.

Cabrua

14 December 1993

Christmas celebration started

Photo above : A party is not a party without dance

11 December 1993 (Saturday)

I stay at home while Shirley and Lucy went to Ciudad del Este to buy things for tomorrow Christmas Celebration.

Shirley organized for the workers on tomorrow a Christmas Gift Exchange Party. A simple social get together among the production team.

12 December 1993 (Sunday)

Christmas Gift Exchange Party today. The members in this party are Silvina, Jose, Carlos and wife, Luis, Lucy, Mirta, Sixto Torres.

Pedro and Raul weren't able to come. Vanderley was late he came in the afternoon he only gave the gift to Luis.

At night we invited the security guard Luis and wife, his brother Mario (working as Vaporizador) to have a simple dinner in the backyard.  The food is fried Bee Hun.

Caacupe day

Dec.08, 1993(Wednesday) Today is Caacupe day. A public holiday.


Mr. Quintana gave us a lift to the city.

We went to ciudad del este found only few shops opened in this important public holiday of the Paraguayan.
.
We bought some Christmas gifts for workers and to our bonita.
We also bought a birthday gift to Alva Caballero the daughter of Caballero.

Halu-Halu

Dec.04, 1993 (Saturday) Christmas is coming. Time to start decorating the house.  We bought musical Christmas light and PVC flower vase.

Ole and Oscar came with my mail - subscribed books and magazines. I am using his office’s address.

He brought my advance of US$ 200 in guarani.



Dec.05, 1993 (Sunday) We stayed the whole day in the garden. Lunch time we eat in the garden together with Luis (the guard) and the wife.

At night we have our dinner in the garden together with Carlos and Vanderley.
After the meal, we made Halu-Halu. I scratch the ice while Shirley mixes the ingredient.

Halu-Halu is a Philippine ice desert similar to Malaysian’s ABC (Air Batu Campur).  The Ice scratchier was amount the few items we managed to squeeze into our luggages when we leave Hong Kong for Paraguay.

The production team

2nd December 1993 Thursday

Photo above : The production team that process raught-sawn to S4S for export to Taiwan.


We took Photograph in the line.
Shirley started organizing gift  exchange day.
In the afternoon we walk to mandiorka garden.

After a couple of days unsuccessful in placing a long distance calls home, Shirley wanted to try again today. At 7:00PM, happen that Mr. Quintana was in the office and he successfully help Shirley get through the phone.

She talked to her Nanay, Mng.Cora and Tino.

Memory of a beautiful Spring sunset

29th November 1993

Sun setting, it was such a pretty sunset. Late spring, the breeze is so cool and fresh. Shirley is doing her Spanish Language homework while I played on the new notebook PC bought US$1000 in Hong Kong just couple of weeks before we flew here.

Almost forgotten we have a camera. Took out the camera and happen that Luis, the security guide, came by and lend us a hand for a few snaps. These few snaps became our precious memories of Paraguay - this is our first photograph after arriving here 2 months ago.

We are never alone. Sharing many of our joyous moments in Paraguay are our 3 new found family members. Lobby (Male, white in middle), Goty (Female, black brown in right) and Bugi (Black in left).

It was in Paraguay I learnt what it means "men's best friend"

Calling the opposite end of the Globe

Nov.21,1993(Sunday)

Today is the birthday of Matias. Son of Manager Quintana.

While we have lunch in the garden together with Luis(guard),Jose and Mirta señora Quintana brought us some cake.

Señora or Sra. = Mrs. in Spanish

Señor or Sr. = Mr. in Spanish

Its time to mow the garden.

Nov.22 (Monday)

Today we started producing the 1^st batch of Cabreua S4S.

Nov.25,1993(Thursday)

Not stop lighting at the distance sky at the East.

At night power failure.

Nov.27, 93(Saturday)

Before going to the City, at 8:00 Shirley tried to make call home in Philippines but can not get through.

Bought an EPSON dox metric printer.

We rush back from city to factory because Ole is coming from Asuncion. I sited at the wooden arm chair in front of the office and waited for hours

He did not turn up. Such attitude, and some others, is the reasons that his partnership with our Taiwanese Company could not last.

Dec.01 (Thursday)

Evening at 6:00 señor Quintana helps to get the telephone through and Shirley called long distance home to Philippines. This is her first call home after reaching Paraguay. She was happy talking at length with her mother and a sister at the opposite side of the globe.

Several months later the management reminded me not to make such lengthy call again. Thought I never get to see the amount in the telephone bill, it is understood that a call to the opposite side of the earth is always costly.

Guaraní International Airport

Guaraní International Airport  was inaugurated in the year 1996.

This much talked about new Guaraní International Airport is just 5 kilometres from our factory Macosur.

This international airport was built with Japanese government’s help.


Not a busy airport. A number of international airlines operate here.

Tt is located in the heart of Minga Guazú city,  26 kilometres away from Ciudad del Este. (Macosur factory is located 21 kilometers from Ciudad del Este City)

Sore throat and sensitive skin

Nov.20, 93(Saturday)

Today instead of going to the city I went to hospital for the first time in Paraguay. I had sore throat for days.

Earlier I enquire Mrs. Quintana for a suitable clinic. She recommended Hospital in Km 41. That was also their family clinic.

But Dr. Tanaka said there was nothing wrong with my throat and even prescribes no medicine. Good news for me. I do not have throat cancer as I earlier feared.

After that we went to super market(Km.41) and then we ate in the Japanese restaurant.

Shirley boil guava leaves water for bathing, as we both have skin irritation

Dinner under the Mola trees in Paraguay setting sun

Nov.14, 1993(Sunday) After breakfast 9:00AM Imelda and son came to bring us to visit her parent’s house.

It’s a simple farm with a simple wooden farm house. They have one thing they are proud off … a well of cool fresh water. They show us the well and scoop up a bucket of water and let me test the water. The water is cool and has a sweet taste. A taste that one can never get from the tap water in the city.

About 2 hours we heading home and on the way drop in Km.36 to but some live fresh water fish.

After settle down the fish in the water filled washing basin (the fishes are still alive) we walked to Lorenie’s house where we met her family members and her boyfriends. She is keen to have us to visit her house to meet her boyfriends because they are getting married soon.

(But what I did not tell any one is that the boyfriend does not match Lorenie in characters and the marriage may not be a happy one. The young man does not seem a responsible person.  Sadly this turns out to be truth …. And 1 month later….. )

Lunch time, two of us just walk over to the house of Imelda.

In the afternoon we go back to the house of Lorie to play volleyball.

And off course for the evening, we have fish for dinner in the back yard. We call the security guard to eat with us.

Nov.18, 1993(Thursday)

Nice sunset. We eat dinner under the mola trees in the backyard.

“Vendo casa” (House for sale

Nov.9,93 (Tuesday)
After work, we took a walked to house of Luis, the Boiler man, to have a look at his house because he wants to sell for US$5,000. But he wasn't home. So we wonder around the housing estate.



Beside the highway we saw a sign “Vendo casa”  (House for sale). It’s a big house with big land big surrounding. The house taker let us in to briefly see the house surrounding but not the inside.

The land and the house sales for US$300,000 the taker told me.

It is an ideal house and surrounding. I definitely can not afford to buy but perhaps the company may be interested  as the Taiwanese company has a big plan of business expansion oversea such as South America.


Nov.11,1993(Thursday)

At 10:00 morning a lady came to my office. She is the wife of the house caretaker of the USD300,000 house we looked at 2 days ago.

She told that the house owner is now in the house and I could go to talk to him.

I made an appointment during noon break and we went after lunch.

We met him and he brought us into the house to see. We sited and talked for half an hour. His asking price is US$300,000.   Last offer is US$250,000.



Knowing we are looking for house, our factory security guard wants to introduce his neighbour who wants to sales the house too.

So after work we went to the house of this security guide and he brought us to his neighbour.

The son of the house owner open the gate and lead us the see the house.
The land size is as big as the US$300,000 house except this house is bigger and well planted vegetation at the house surropunding.

The land is fertile as can be seen at the growth of the trees and plants in the garden. The son gave us no price unless we are truly interested to buy.

Mendioka Cake, Fresh Honey and Spanish Lessons

Nov.06,1993(Saturday)
I bought a big transformer for electric drill.



In the afternoon we took a walk in the mandiorka garden.  The farmer is Juan who worked in Macosur before. He brought us into the small farm house to introduce his mom.


For the evening, we were busy making Mendioka cake wrapped in banana leave  using the oven.



Shirley gave some to the security guide and his brother the boilerman.




Nov.07,1993(Sunday)

We have steamed mandiorka as breakfast.

Lunch time under the mola tree we have roosted chicken with rice.




Nov.8,1993(Monday)

Shirley learning to use Lotus 1-2-3 for the stock data.


Mr. Hinrichs came from Asuncion  with my salary advance of USD200 in Guarani.

After work at 4:00PM, Jose, a worker, started collecting honey. He put on a head mask and chest away the bees with a smoke gun producing smoke from burning half dried leaves.


The factory maintains a few boxed of honey bees at the bushes. This is my first time to see a real bee hive after removing from the boxes.


Shirley was helping Jose collecting honey from the hives. How do they separate honey from hives? By using 2 bare hands to squeeze the sticky liquid out and collect with a pail on the ground.

They asked me to help. I certainly like to experience such. But I told them just a minute while I return home to wash my 2 hands first.

Jose gave a bottle of honey to us.



Today, is our first Spanish Lesson. Teacher is Mrs. Kintana, the wife of Kintana. Our “classroom” is the veranda of their house.

Three lessons a week Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Company paid the tuition fees. She lends us a copy of Spanish magazine Readers Digest.

Foods in Paraguay

NOVEMBER 02,1993(Tuesday)

A young worker was selling el pan (Home made local bread). Shirley bought a loaf from him. First time to try this bread. The bread is nice and I suggested Shirley to order from him regularly.




Nov.5,1993 (Friday)

Getting hot in Paraguay. Because of the heat a lizard from the nearby jungle stroll in our factory compound for food. This is the same type of lizard commonly found back home in Malaysia.


A few workers rush forward to kill this lizard. This species of lizard is not endangered specie but abundant in the wild.  It’s ok if the workers consume it after they killed it. But if not for food but just for the desire of killing, then it a sin.

I have tested this type of lizard a couple of time. It is delicious in test. I believe the workers did cooked and eat the lizard.

Fish for sales

Oct.22 1993 (Friday)
Around 11:30 one of the S4S machine has trouble and stopped.
We producing Guatambu 象牙木 S4S





Oct.23 1993 (Sat)  5th Saturday

We went to Ciudad del Este. Went straight to a Chinese Restaurant for the buffee style lunch.
We know where to eat now.



Oct.24, 1993 (Sun.) Lucy and husband Angelo came with their car to bring us to the church nearby. We arrived at 8:10Am. The church service already started at 8:00AM.

After church we visited Lucy’s home and had lunch.

The husband wanted to serve beer, but I asked for juice. Angelo made fresh Pineapple juice for us.

We finished eating lunch at around 12:00.After eating,  the brother of Angelo came with the car to send us home.

Late afternoon we took a walk to the pond again. The water plant I planted has only one left.

A long line of dark big ants each carrying a small portion of leave marching back into their holes.



Oct.25, 1993 (Monday)

Month ending. Shirley started busy with stock counting again. She finished work at around 6:30 P.M.







Oct.27, 1993 (Wednesday)

After work, workers of Macosur enjoy playing volleyball


Oct.28, 1993 (Thursday) We stroll going straight from Caballeros house. While standing on the way the guard saw us and he let us sit in front of their house. I sat down also in the seesaw that he has made.

Oct, 29, 1993 (Friday) I wasn't able to finished the inventory .I go home again late because of the inventory. On Sunday I will continue again (inventory)



Oct.30 1993 (Saturday) 6th Saturday

Bought a few items of capentry tools.

We went to the Confiteria Sweet (restaurant) to eat ice cream. For lunch they do not have rice or noodles so we order sandwich and hamburger.




Oct.31 1993 (Sunday)  A Sunny day. Silvina invited us to visit her house today. We took 2 buses to Villa hijazi, the road where Silvinas house is.


Silvina is a single parent with 2 young daughters living in a wooden house just few kilometers from Macosur factory.

Silvina served us lunch of  beef, el pan, machorka and  cabbage salad. After lunch Silvina suggest to watch football match at KM41 and off we went with her car leaving the two young girls at home.

Km41 is a Japanese town.

On the way back I saw a sign by the road side say “Fish for sale”. I baught 3 kilos of Tropical fish and gave 1 to Silvina.

My first hair cut in Paraguay

Oct.10,1993 (Sunday)

Late afternoon 4:30PM I took a walk on country road together with Shirley and Paul.

I just love the farms along the mud with sheep, cows, and also sugar cane plants.

Our last stop was an empty ground where two teams of country forks playing football. And amount the crowd a few young men recognize us. They are workers in Macosur factory.

Oct.16, 1993(Saturday) 4th Saturday in Paraguay

The 3 sisters (Taiwanese) invited us to a Chinese restaurant for lunch.

Bought electric hair cutter for 43,200 Guarani.

7:30PM  My turn to invite the group for dinner this time. For a change Quintana suggested a Japanese restaurant.

So Paul, Quintana and wife, and two of us has a Japanese dinner

Some one suggested ice cream for desert but this restaurant does not have.

Mrs. Quintana suggested an Ice Cream shop near by. In that ice cream shop there is a small play ground for children and we ate outside because fresh air.

The serving of ice cream is very big. We each select 2 flavored in one cone.

Oct, 17, 1993 (Sunday)

Many caterpillars under the molar tree. The colors are black, white and yellow.

We visited the pond together with the 2 dogs.

Whitey and blackey jumped into pond and enjoyed a swim.

The hair cutter we bought is put into first use today. Shirley cut my hair. Her first time of cutting hair too.

At around 5:30 in the afternoon Ya Chin, the father, the mother and the cousin came here to visit us.

Oct.19, 1993 (Tuesday)

Paul is leaving the factory today for going back to Taiwan. Mr. Ole Hinrichs came to pick him to Assunsion.

Weekends in Paraguay

Oct.02 1993(SATURDAY) 2nd Weekend in Paraguay

Its Saturday again. This is our 2^nd Saturday in Paraguay.  The factory is a 5 days week working system.

Last weekend we went down to Ciudad del Este city for the first time with colleagues in company car.

This weekend, that is Today, Shirley and I decided to venture ourselves by public bus to the city.

There is no shortage of public transport as Macosur factory is just beside the highway, a highway linking the capital city Asuncion with Ciudad del Este. Each day we see vehicle from container carriers to buses and taxi passing by our quarter.

We walk and walk around the city until we reached the restaurant of Japanese for lunch.

We return home by bus around 5:00P.M.

7:30 P.M Paul announce he will give everyone a dinner so off we went to the city again.

In the group of 9 in 2 cars are Mr.  & Mrs. Quintana, Mr. & Mrs. Caballero, Raul (the technician) and a visitor of Mr. Quintana.

Oct.03, 1993 (SUNDAY) This afternoon both of us went to the lake with the 2 dogs.  I carefully put the water plants I bought yesterday into the pond with the hope the plants will grow and multiply.

Oct 09,1993 (Saturday) 3^rd Saturday in Paraguay.

I need a post office box for mails. The main thing to do this weekend to Ciudad del Este is to obtain a Post Office box.

Previous week we already enquired the direction to the post office.  But unsure the exact location, we took a taxi and conviently located the post office.

Shirley already has  6 letters to mail Hong Kong and Philippines postages cost 2990 guarani.

Renting a post box is easy.  Almost immediately the Post Master gave me a post box  51500 Guaranies.

At around 2:00 we bought silver heart with our name from a street craftman. The craft cost 3,000 but we gave him 5,000.

We stroll and stroll the city and by 3:00PM we happen to entered a Taiwanese mini supermarkets where I make acquentent with the middle age owner.

To day we came to the city  also with hope of  stumple upon the shop of the 3 sisters we met in the flight. When we first met 3 weeks ago they only told that parent has a shop in this city but left behind no address and telephone.

Now since this supermarket owner also from Taiwan he might happen to know the who and who from Taiwan. and enquire where he know about any one has 3 daughter arrived recently and shown him the piece of paper with the 3 names.

To my great surprise, he knows them and simutenousely picked up the phone and start talking :

 “………. Your friends are in my shops now……… you come over now……..”

Shirley wanted to buy a pencil case and a stool from their shop.

The mother gave them as gift to Shirley.

We waited for  30 minutes for a bus to return home.

Life in a wood factory in Paraguay

Sept.28,1993(Tuesday)

Shirley assisted in parquet classification.

The 3 classification of Guatambu parquet are:
A – Light color good surface looking for exporting Taiwan
L – Mixed color of dark and light.
C – Ugliest looking surface with knots.


Kintana has 3 children. Sofia and Laura and a youngest son.



Sept.29, 1993 (Wednesday)

Month ending. Started inventory taking.

There are a few bags of Palosanto small pieces.

Secretary of Macosor, Silvina invited Shirley to her near by house for lunch.

They have carrot juice and mix salad fruit for dessert.

At night it rain. Raining down from the sky was rain drops were ice pieces.



Sept.30,1993 (Thursday)
Strong wind midnight and power supply black out a few times.

This morning woke up to learn that certain part of factory roof was damage by halt.

It’s a rainy day today.

11:45AM Ole came from Asuncion and gave a lunch treat in Lee Garden Restaurant in Ciudad del Este.

Rosie prepared lunch for us which we kept for Dinner.

Life in Macosur factory

Sept 20, 1993 (Monday) St. Paulo?/ Asuncion

 7:45AM (Hong Kong is 7:45 P.M.) Our Varig  flight No:RG829 arrived São Paolo of Brazil early morning. Almost all passenger clapped their hands.

In the flightwe get to know 3 sisters from Taiwan who were also on their first trip to Paraguay. It was an unexpected to see Chinese also going to this far remorted corner of the earth. While waiting at São Paolo Airport for the connecting flight to Asunsion of Paraguay, I tried to helped them to use the public phone to connect to their parent in Paraguay and some how I could not get the right connection.

10:40AM we transferred into a smaller airplane to Asuncion, capital of Paraguay.

Asunción is serviced by the Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, which is also the country’s main gateway. The airport is located in Luque, a suburb of Asunción.


It’s a small airport. A swarm of baggage porters at the luggage claim area and before I could say yes or no a porters already started pushing our luggage trolley toward the exit where Mr. Ole has not difficulties to identify us. He paid the tip to the porter as I have no Guarani.



He send us to Paramanta hotel a nice simple place with a nice garden and the owner is German.

At night Mr. Hinrichs invited us dinner Diamond Restaurant. A Chinese restaurant.



Sep. 21, 1993 (Tuesday) First day in Macosur
I awake 4:30AM in morning by the singing of birds in Paramanta Hotel. I just enjoy sitting under the quite peaceful morning ray till breakfast time around 7:30.

At 8:30 Ole came and off we went to Ciudad del Este by road 3 hours.

In the way we stopped at a famous steak restaurant for lunch.

Afternoon we reached Macosur Factory and the first people we saw are Kintana and Paul standing besides the wooden office building waiting for us.

Among the first thing we did was Paul brought us to see the production line in the factory. This is why I came here for, as their new production supervisor.





Sept.24,1993 (Friday)

This is the last working day of the week. It is only 5 days operation.
Factory starts at 6:00AM and end at 4:00PM
Our usual dinner time is 6:00PM.


Shirley became good friends to Ana and Laura whom she gave a hair clip each as gift.





Sept. 25 1993(Saturday)

Today is Saturday and factory off day.

The maid, Lucy, also off on each Saturday

After breakfast around 8:30 A.M. Paul and two of us together with Mr. Caballero went to supermarket in the city using company’s car.

We bought necessities such as toothbrush, pail, Vegetables, and so many things.

We have lunch in a Chinese restaurant.

To the other side of the globe

Sept.19, 1993(Sunday) Last Day in Hong Kong

Today we are leaving for Paraguay from Hong Kong.

Shirley has live here for 2 years and I lived here for more then 6 years. We were both workers in Hong Kong – Shirley a domestic helper while I was an office worker.

8:30AM Gloria came to our boarding house to give a helping hand.

10:00AM Both of us took the Ferry off from Cheung Chau to Kai Tak International Airport. Waiving farewell at the ferry pair were Gloria, Gloreen, Angie, Tita and Mirriam.

From Jim Sha Tsui, we board the shatter airport bus to the airport. Howard came to the airport to see us off.

2:30PM passenger started boarding though the plane started moving only at 4:30PM and within 2 minutes the plane was in the sky.

Two hours later the plan stopped over at Bangkok International Airport for 1 hour refill.

Thailand time is only 5:30PM while Hong Kong is already 6:30PM. We began the experience of “Traveling backward in time” in which we gained 1 hour of extra time. This flight continued until we reach Paraguay by then we have gain half day (6 hours) of extra time in our life.

We stop over again in Johannesburg at 11:45PM and Hong Kong time is 5:45AM morning of the next day. So officially I have ever ‘Landed’ on the great continent of African though I never actually set a foot step on the soil.

Farewell Dinners

Sept.17,1993 Friday Hong Kong

Gloria family invited us to their flat for a farewell dinner. We are leaving Hong Kong in 2 days time on 19th September 1993 for job offer in Paraguay. Their flat is just 5 minutes walk.

After dinner we return home to continue packing our luggage.

Sept.18,1993 (Saturday) Hong Kong

Howard invited us to Hong Kong for farewell dinner in Chinese restaurant. Lawrence is already waiting for us with his two daughters when we reached there. Howard Tsai arrived after us.

Marriage Registry Hall, Hong Kong

Marriage in procession at Hong Kong marriage registry by registrar (middle standing)

In Marriage Registry Hall at Hong Kong City Hall, High Block, First Floor, Central Hong Kong.

In the same City Hall building is a library where I used to visit before I started work.

On 9th June 1993 we registered our marriage here.

San Martn3 star hotel

Av. San martn 889 c/Austria

Paraguay

Tel : 600 309

Spacious rooms, breakfast food in Japan

Hotel Uchiyamada 内山田

Constitucion 763, Asuncion, Paraguay

Tel: (595) 214165

New Tokio Restaurant

PAMPLIEGA C/ ADRIAN JARA

CIUDAD DEL ESTE

TEL: 64379

BACCARAT RESTAURANT of Cheung Chau Island

BACCARAT RESTAURANT

百家樂菜館 G/F, 9A Pak She Praya Road, Cheung Chau

長洲北社海傍道9號A地下

Cheung Mo Tat, the owner of Baccarat Restaurant. His wife is from China. He has his wedding photograph taken at the studio just next door to his restaurant (photo above). Several months later the studio moved to another better business location. Cheung immediately took over the vacant studio and converts it into his 2nd restaurant keeping the original studio decoration (photo below).

Cheung's success did not come by chance. He taught himself English and welcome customers in English whenever Western tourists pass by his shop. Very few restaurants in this island speak English, as least not as enthusiastic as him

As such, Baccarat Restaurant is a popular stop for western travelers.

By December the new extension is ready (photo above) and Shirley and co-worker are ready to welcome customers.

Mother of Cheung (photo above). Proud over the son's success in new restaurant extension.

The Cheung is a big family. Other family members also having business along the same street as the restaurant. A young brother run this fruits stall near the ferry pier (photo above). Another member run a bicycle rental shop end of the street.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival 1992

The highlight of the one week festival (photo above). The residents paraded through the island village lanes.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival 1992

A unique festival happens on the tiny island of Cheung Chau where I stay.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival (Jiao-festival) of Cheung Chau has been practiced for more than 100 years.

A century ago, Cheung Chau was devastated by a plague in the late Qing dynasty.

Local residents set up a sacrificial altar in front of Pak Tai Temple to pray to the god, Pak Tai, to drive off evil spirits.

The residents even paraded the deity statues through the village lanes.

The plague ended after performance of the ritual.

Since then, residents on Cheung Chau organized a Bun Festival every year to express thanks to the god for blessing and protecting them.

With residents' participation every year, the ritual was passed down through the generations.

The festival also provides a platform for residents to perform their folk craft, such as making paper-mache effigies of deities, setting up the bamboo scaffolding of the Bun Mountain, and making handmade buns in preparation for the Bun Festival.

This is accompanied by folk performing arts like Taoist rituals and music, a parade, lion dances, qilin dances and drum beating.

The elderly residents participate in this festive activity with their children, preserving it from one generation to the next.

This festival was held from the 5th to 8th day of the Fourth Lunar Month for 1 week.

The weeklong festival climaxes with a large, carnival-like street procession featuring costumed children on stilts held aloft above the crowd, lion dances and other colorful participants.

The parade winds its way through the narrow streets to the grounds near the Pak Tai Temple, which are dominated by enormous bamboo towers studded with sweet white buns, and where the main festivities take place.

At midnight, athletes scramble up one of the towers in a contest to grab the top-most 'luckiest' ones.

Remark : This yearly Cheung Chau Island Jiao Festival had been inscribed onto China's third national list of intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

Sai Wan Village of Cheung Chau Island

6th May 1992

Sai Wan Village of Cheung Chau Island. This is the place I lived for 2.5 years (January 1991 to June 1993)

The hill in the middle is where the famous Cheung Po Tsai Cave located at.

Cheung Po Tsai cave was the favorite hiding place for the notorious pirate Cheung Po Tsai. Even I stay near by the famous cave, I visit the cave only once in a year. The cave is nothing more than a hole in the rock. No interesting though promoted by tourism as FAMOUS.

The Cave entrance and passage is narrow. Fat people not sure if you can climb in and out.

Cave inside is dark but you can rent torches from village people waiting for customers at the cave entrance.

The trial to Cung Po Tsai Cave is 200 meters away from my flat.

The red building at the left is where my flat is. A small sampan pier at the right.

The sea view from this high vista is pretty lovely.

The tallest building at this village are these 3 blocks. My flat is at the block at the left. 2nd Floor.

When you come to this island you might feel in a different country. Here is not the upscale, modernized Hong Kong.

Those who are tied of concrete city find this place a gorgeous.

These are the water taxis of the Island (see photo above). The boats park at Sai Wan Village...

Cheung Chau Island is only two kilometers in length

A lot densely populated small island. Remarkably and charmingly with temples, trendy beaches.

What most interested me are the isolated footpaths over the hills and along most crazy stretches of coastline.

Sai Wan Village Cheung Chau Island

Sai Wan Village

Cheung Chau Island

4th May 1992 Monday

1991 CHINA TOURISM CARNIVAL GUANGDONG HAPPY FESTIVAL

先賢古墓道

先賢古墓道

穿过一座悬有"高风仰止"大牌楼而入，

沿着一条两侧石栏杆的石路，便可步人先贤古墓内。

赛义德-艾比-宛葛素古墓

Visit to Cemetary of Pioneer of Islam in Kwang Zhou

先賢古墓道

广州清真先贤古墓

清真先贤古墓。清真先贤古墓位于解放北路兰圃西侧。明清中国学者称伊斯兰教义为"至清至真"，因而伊斯兰教又被称为"清真教"。

清真先贤古墓是以赛义德-艾比-宛葛素为首的40多位阿拉伯著名伊斯兰教传教士的墓地。古墓是一座园林式的墓园，四周绕有墙垣，内有拜殿、方亭、厢房，穿过一座悬有"高风仰止"大牌楼而入，沿着一条两侧设有石栏杆的石路，便可步人先贤古墓内。

Ancient Tomb of Islamic Father

Islamic culture

Islam is one of the five major religions in China. The four others are Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism and the Protestantism.

Muslims take great pride in citing a hadith that says "seek knowledge even it is in China."

It points to the importance of looking for lore, even if it meant travelling as far away as China.

Observing the Prophet's instructions, his followers sent missionaries to China one after another.

Some historians hold that, as early as the Sui Dynasty (AD 581-618) during the revelation of Islam (AD 610-632) to the Prophet, Islam had already appeared in China.

Still, many believe the visit led by Waqqaas and Qays was Islam's earliest contact with China during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan, the third caliph.

After triumphing over the Byzantine, Romans and Persians, Uthman ibn Affan dispatched a deputation to China in AD 650, eight years after the Prophet's death.

Waqqaas was said to have died in Canton, today's Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province, where he established the Huaisheng, literally meaning "in memory of the Holy Prophet" Mosque, or Memorial Mosque, one of the first Islamic buildings in China and proof of the early communication between the two cultures.

And in AD 713, an ambassador from the Islamic Caliphate was received at the Tang court.

Since then, both overland trade along the silk route and maritime trade via the spice route to the southeastern port of Canton flourished. So did cultural and scientific exchanges.

Many Muslims came to China to trade and they began to have a great economic impact and influence on the country.

Muslims virtually dominated the import-export industry by the time of the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

Some of them later became permanent residents in such prosperous cities as Xi'an, Quanzhou in Fujian Province, Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, Yangzhou in Jiangsu Province, Hami and Guangzhou, where they built mosques and cemeteries.

One of the most prized Chinese musical instruments, the pluck-stringed pipa, actually originated in the Islamic world and was called barbat, tanbur or mizhar in Arabic and Persian.

And the Chinese word for ball, qiu, was said to originate from the Persian word, gui, the name for the game of polo.

Chinese medicine, both the material and prescriptions, were also influenced by Persia and Arabia, as recorded by Tang Dynasty officials.

中山大學 SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY

中山大學 SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Yat-sen_University

One of the top university in China at that time and even now. Those who study in Chinese schools or those study modern Chinese history know this university.

The university motto has produce many famous personal in modern Chine :

1) Study extensively 博學

2) Enquire accurately 審問

3) Reflect carefully 慎思

4) Discriminate clearly 明辨

5) Practise earnestly 篤行

Sun Yat-sen College of Medical Science

Computer Exhibition 1990

I came to the Computer Exhibition 1990 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre 5 & 7 Floor.

Arrived at noon but only leave at 6:00 pm when the loud-speakers announced closing for the day.

The current popular PC model is 80386 as exhibited by AS&T and Epson.

One of the attractions is Chinese Characters Input demonstration that attracted many bystanders. 7 typists from China representing 5 Input Methods. Their speed are 100+ words per minutes. Incredible fast!

I bought a book on E-Tien Chinese Input System with two 3.5" Diskettes. After reaching home I started learning till midnight.

1990 Black Pair

Cheung Chau Old Folk Home

Beside the Bat Dai Temple is an old folk home.

7:20 pm Already had my dinner and stroll around the north part of Chung Chau which I come only occasionally. Being passing many times this old folk home several times before, this time I took a further step into to see the world of the old people.

At one side is a row of rooms for the male. Room big enough for 2 beds against the wall with the door in the middle. Two person per room.

Being not polite to room around with out permission, I stay most of the time in the common hall where the television is on and a dozen of old folk are watching.

The women look must alert and healthy then men.

Cheung Chau Peniel Church

便以利會長洲堂 Cheung Chau Peniel Church

Just 5 minutes walk from my room is a very unique church constructed of solid rocks. I used to stroll from to the sea side passing this church. The church is alwaysclosed and silent. But I like to see it open and see how it look inside.

On 22 April 1990, a Sunday morning when as usual I stroll to the sea side passing the church, this time it is opened with a Sunday Church service is in the mid of secession. Attracted by the Hakk a speaking pastor (I am a Hakka) gently and quietly I skipped into the Church and sited at an empty corner at the back seats.

Thinking no body notice me, but not before long a graceful lady very gently came and handled me a Hymn book and moment later a Bible.

There were about 50 church members that morning mostly elderly. Pastor talked in Hakka. He is a big middle age man speaking in strong Hakka voice. I can't remember what the pastor has talked that day but still remember he descript the difficult life in the early day when people are shortage of money and food when "....... many parents after feeding the family in the morning continue to worry where to find food for the evening......"

Getting out of the church quietly is not as easy as getting in. After the last hymn, every one started to leave, I was the one nearest to the door but as I turn to leave, the pastor is already standing at the door side to greet every one good bye. In a a small church with small group of members, the pastor already long spotted a new face among them. So he welcomes me for the first visit and urges me to come each Sunday.

Penial Church of Cheung Chau Island was opened in 1930.

During my 3 years stay in Cheung Chau, this Island has the highest population even since.

In 1992, one night I reached home and saw a Census form for me on the door. I filled and returned the form. That was the 1992 Hong Kong population census.

According to the census, Chung Chau has about 40,000 people. That period, 1990s, was Cheung Chau most populous period. The current 2000s is only 25,000 people.

Christmas Dinner 1989

1989 Christmas Dinner at Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong

2 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong

Susan - 1st on the left of photo.

Shalley - 3rd from left.

Shirra - 4th from left

Said Kadivian and Roxan Terell

Said Kadivian and Roxan Terell

In the mid-1990s Said Khadivian came to Hong Kong initiative in to get mass

teaching off the ground. Khadivian is speciallized in Mass Enrollment.

Chinese are dis-united (Taiwan Nationalist, Mainland Communist, Hong Kong Capitalist). Bahais leaders in Hong Kong believes Chinese will never be united unless they accept God's new messanger, unless they all become Bahais. Baha’is want to unite the world through conversion.

It is for the conversion works the Hong Kong Bahais invite Said Khadivian (Saeid Khadivian ?) from Japan, together with him are 2 Japanese one of them was a youth.

I was unwilling to joint in the teams, but in order not to be labelled by the Assembly members as the "Unfaithful" or "Inactive", I must show my face. (One can not reach God without first obedient to the Assembly members)

Entry by Troops Coordinating by Sai'd Khadivian as coordinator