The Bicycle and Mower

February 09, 1997 (Sunday)


It Sunday again.  Almost every Sunday we will return to our factory quarter in Macosur for overnight and as part of my job duty.

Thought we have rented a flat in the city at our own expenses, the staff quarter at Macosur factory is still our official accommodation provided by the employer. The reason we do not stay in the factory is Macosur factory has been closed down for business and now the Spanish owner is looking for buyer to the property. Sooner or later we will have to move out off the factory compound. So we secured a flat in the city before we are forced out by the new owner and became homeless.


However inside the factory are a few machineries that in "Accounting” still belong to Taiwan partner. And that I am paid by the Taiwan Company to be base in Paraguay to supervise the business operation. With the responsibility of keeping an eye on employer's property, I come back to the old factory each Sunday.

Today, something not a good sign inside my factory quarter. We return to discover that the gas stove in the kitchen has been taken away by the factory management. The management has the master key and the right to our quarter. The management staff do not stay in the factory, they are all living in the capital city Asunsion. They sent order and instruction through phone.

Several months ago, the Macosul factory already talked directly to me to move out of the quarter. But I persisted to stay with the reason of company property ownership of machines still belong to my employer and that I have the responsibility to stay in the factory compound until Taiwan official inform me to move out.

However with the gas stove and almost all other kitchen utensils such as rice cooker being taken away, the factory obviously is impatient any longer.

Most of my family belonging has been moved to our new flat in the city, except a few big items such as the bicycle and the mower.

I made immediate decision to take our own bicycle and mower out today before they claimed as their. If not, next week when we return we might find them taken away and might never able to claim back from them.

So, without making too much hesitation I push the two items one by one across the high way to Nilsa's house half a kilometer away.

Nilsa is the pretty young girl who often walks across the highway to our quarter to spend a whole afternoon to play with our baby son in the back yard and return home after dinner. Her family live in one of the wooden houses in the settlement opposite our factory across the highway.  Months before, Shirley already got agreement from her mother to help to sales the bicycle and mower for us.

And now it is the time for me to bring these two items over to their house.

Without stove to cook, we had lunch at Nilsa's house. Her mother cooks asado for every one.

We return to the city late afternoon by bus as usual.

Chinese New Year

February 07, 1997 (Friday)

Chinese New Year.

Shirley given Lai-See to Aida and Felicia 10,000 guaranies each.

Caaguazu - where I wanted to be a farmer

February 05, 1997 (Wednesday)

My outstation work trip to Caaguazu. But, this trip is special, as I brought the whole family to the town. I like this quiet town and having the idea of  in the future coming to settle down here as a farmer. So, this trip I bring my wife and the boy to come have a look.

We have lunch in Brasileiro restaurant near the hotel acrocess the highway.

Evening we cooked quick noodle in the hotel for dinner.  A Korean Supermarket is at the front of the block where we bought sundry from. This is perphep the largest supermarket in the town.

I cam to Caaguazu almost monthly for the last half year because my Taiwan company is buying wood from a wood factory near by in the town.  Every time I stay in the same small hotel and buy foods and drinks from this same supermarket.

The shop attendants are familiar with my face because I came several times. But not the young adult son of the Korean Supermarket whom I never seen in the shop. One day as I walked into supermarket this young son was right behind the front counter at the entrance and almost as soon as he saw me, he started to complain to me in Spanish or perhaps mixed with Korean. My understanding of Spanish is still very limited but I listen careful trying to catch some keywords to know what his trouble is. He repeats point to the cash machine on the counter and I figured out what was wrong.

What he was complaining was that the cash machine "supplied by my company" has been out of order for too long and has been waiting for the supplier to send some one to fix it. And that I came late only now.


While I was trying to say with broken Spanish something like "No No Mi No personel...." (No, no I am not the representative from the company), his shop attendant quickly approached him and tell softly to him that I am not the repair man.  The young shop owner looked at me a while with puzzled and I proceed into his shop with embarrass smile.


This is something I like about my apparent, that I can be "localized" easily in many countries I went.  I have been assumed by some local people as one of them in India, Burma, Thailand, and Brazil.

In India I was look alike a Tibetan or Ceylonese.  In Brazil I was look alike an Amazon tribe.

Except in Hong Kong where they do not consider I am one of them. The Police like to stop me to check whether I have a passport to be there.



February 06, 1997(Thursday)

I finished my QC inspection works in the morning.  We checked out the hotel after lunch to return to Ciudad del Este. We have some time to see more of the town.

As we stroll around Caaguazu town,  I saw a horse-drawn wagon by the street.  Its a farmer's horse carriage. A mother and son were unloading some packages to the shop.  Shirley, my wife, talked to the lady whether their horse cart could take us for a tour round the town for a small fee. The mother gladly accepted. Her young son became our horseman for our half an hour interesting experience sight seeing of mercado of Caaguazu.

They call the horse Calesa.

6 February 1997 - sightseeing on a horse cart in the town of Caaguazu, Paraguay

LIBRERIA COSMOS

COTILLON MERCERIA

BOOKSTORE

ATALAYA DE INMUEBLES

VENTA DE LOTES

BUILDING ATALAYA

SALE OF LOTS



Back to Ciuded del Este, we have dinner in Korean restaurant.

1st birthday of Noemi's baby sister

February 04, 1997 (Tuesday)


Yesterday, the father of Noemi came to panorama to invite us to attend the birthday of their baby daughter tomorrow.

So today I prospone the family trip to Caaguazu for the birthday party in the late afternoon.

This is the 1st birthday of Noemi's baby sister.

Noemi's house is in the city outskirt and beside a small river.  I went to have a look at the mudy river. Its a short walk down the slop from their house.

Guatambu Dinning Table

January 19, 1997 (Sunday)

Mir, wife of a worker, brought her new born baby to Panorama to visit us.

The husband is away for 5 days already.

January 21, 1997 (Tuesday)

Bought a Guatambu wooden dining table set with 4 chair this morning at 8:30 AM.

Our newly rented flat has no furniture. 

Graduation from Dressmaking Course

10 January 1997 Friday Graduation from Dressmaking Course

Yenny Barreto, the wife of City Mayor Carlos Barreto gave out the graduation certificates to each graduate student.

One of the effort the local government tried to reduce poverty and increase wealth is encourage ladies perform productive activities such as selling food products, running a convenience store and a newspaper kiosk, selling clothes, operating a hairdressing salon, tailoring and selling school uniforms, etc. This tailoring class is one of the major courses offered by the city government in providing the necessary skill to the female.

Together with  Mirta, I brought Xing around  6:30 P.M to her graduation.

Children are prohibited but Xing stumbled and his lips swollen.

When it was about to start at 8:00 P.M suddenly it rained. The event moved inside.

Shirley has a  photograph with Yenny Barreto, the wife of Intendente Carlos Barreto.

After the graduation we went directly to hospital for check up of Xing.

Edificio Panorama (Panorama Building)

6th January 1997

Today we finalized with Panorama Building at USD450 per month we rent a apartment in this building.

Our office is also in this same building but at 2nd Block. 1st Block is where we stay.

Panorama Building or Edificio Panorama is located at Avda Carlos A. Lopez. Ciudad del Este.

Days earlier on January 04, 1997 (Saturday), we bought an iron tube frame white bed completed with mattress in abasto. Its U.S$ 350.00, expensive but there is not much choice in that furniture shop. The slightly cheaper alternative I does not like is the wooden bed set complete with side cabinet which was Shirley's favorite. But that type of hotel like bed is old fashion, clumsy, and to big a set to occupy most of the room space with unnecessary side drawers and cabinets.

New Year 1997

January 01, 1997 (Wednesday)


It’s New Years Day. we went to Km 34 together with Vilda and Luis, Juliana's family for swimming. We brought cooked food. After rodeo Nilsa came with us to our new flat for the night.

Luis and taxi neighbor sent us to panorama using Quintana's car. On the way we saw a drunken truck driver. His driving is already zigzag and bombing the white car. After that he shoot to the white car and then we saw the white car driving backward and stop on the side waiting for the car to come again.

While passing to their car our driver drive it faster.

January 04, 1997 (Saturday) We bought a white iron fram bed in abasto  U.S$ 350.00.

Christmas Trip in Brazil

December 25, 1996 (Sunday)

Christmas Day afternoon we went to zoo. We have lunch here.

Shirley, Aida and Xing enjoyed the cycling-boat. A bird dropped a 'sovenior' on Shirley hand.

At night we walked to a University then to 15 street.

Christmas decoration is beautiful.

Shirley bought a cap of Santa Claus for Xing Xing. Xing likes to hold very much the ball of a cap.

Praça Tiradentes (Tiradentes Square) The first square in Curitiba, is walking distant from Cathedral.

Flower Street is the street infront of the HSBC building. Several commercial building beside Flower Street is colorfully decorated.

Botanical garden

December 26, 1996 (Thursday)

We went to Botanical garden. It is a very nice place.

Aida just stayed in the hotel she is not well.

We feed the fishes in botanico.

Beside Botanico Garden is a small Pizza restaurant. Shirley ordered fried fish and rice.

December 23, 1996 (Friday)

At 7:00 P. M we went to foz Brazil to take the bus going to

Curitiba. We have eaten our dinner in foz. We took the bus to

Curitiba at 9:45 P.M. We enjoyed sitting on a nice chair. The

nicest bus (chair I have taken) but I didn't slept well because

of Xing Xing.

December 24, 1996 (Saturday)

We reach Curitiba at around 8:00 A.M

We go directly to hotel near bus station.

At 8:30 A.M we went down to have our breakfast. After break­

fast we bought some fruits and galletita for Christmas. Christmas

usually the shops are close.

Largo da Ordem - Old town Curitiba

Large tiles panel of art by Poty Lazzarotto

At Largo da Ordem (Old Town Curitiba)

Poty Lazzarotto

(Curitiba, March 29, 1924 - Curitiba, May 8, 1998)

Napoleon Potyguera Lazzarotto is Curitiba's most known artist.

25th December 1996 Day 2 in Brazil

We came to Largo da Ordem - Old town Curitiba in the evening of Christmas Day of 1996.

From our hotel we took a taxi (R$5.00). The taxi driver dropped us in front the art panel of Poty.

Many years before, the old town of Curitiba (Largo da Ordem) was an area of intense commerce of the city.

Today the area has been developed into an historical, cultural and artistic area.

Here you can find old architecture of houses, buildings and churches; historical monuments, artistic panels, art galleries, restaurants, etc.

The Traditional Handcraft Market “Feirinha do Largo da Ordem” is held here every Sunday from 10:00AM to 2:00PM since 1973. This Sunday market is the second largest craft fair in Brazil, with over 1,000 artisans present each Sunday.

This cultural rich location is a meeting point for locals and tourists.

Christmas Eve in Brazil

24th December 1996 Tuesday Day 1 in Brazil

Transportation is very efficient in Curitiba. In front our hotel is always taxi ready for service. We paid R$6 (Rm 19.00) to get to Flower Street - the street I always go for dinner and relaxation each business trip to Curitiba factories.

Rua de Flores, the pedestrian-only street full of shops and restaurants. Sede da Universidade Federal do Paraná

Attracted by this outstanding decoration in the Flower Street, we each in turn take a snap shot as remembrance.

We were not interested what this shop sales, after all it was closed after business hours for tonight Christmas Eve. We were interested only the twinkering lights against a large panel of real red Christmas leaves.

Big effort put into unique Christmas decorations means serious business behind. True enough, we learn later that O Boticário is the world’s largest perfumery cosmetics franchising network. This shop in Flower Street is only one of its 2,000 over stores in Brazil.

• Official O Boticário International Web site
• O Boticário Foudation

"Flower Street" is the nick name. The official name is "Rua XV de Novembro" (15th of November Street)

A major street in downtown Curitiba. This street is the first pedestrian streets in Brazil inaugurated in 1972.

Here, tourists welcomed with pots of flowers, restaurants and hundred-year-old buildings.

I come here each time for the street artists - the mimes and clowns who interact with those who pass by, who bring back some joy to my heart after a hard day work.

Thought my life in South America is amusing, my work is full of risk and demanding. To satisfy the Taiwanese market's strong demand of "South American Parquet", my job as their quality controller is always under strong pressure.

After a hard day's work, sitting in one of the bench in Flower Street watching the clowns creating joke and fun out of the innocent passing by is a great fun in life.

...Look! A big old fat lady carrying lot of heavy shopping begs coming the way of Flower Street.

"Why every one is looking and smiling at me?" She is wondering but continues walking but a quick check on the zip of her skirt and double checking other obvious part of her dress.

Before long she realized that it was what behind her every one are looking and smiling at. She gave a sudden turn of her head and frightens herself by seeing a short skinny creature with big red nose wearing a too big multi color suit pretending looking for something in the empty air. Now every thing is clear to her, this funny fellow had been following and imitating her walking action all the way as a joke. To release her great unpleasment, her unload the shopping begs to the other arm, held up her big feast and gave a heavy empty punch to the big red nose and continue her walking while the small crown "dropped death" on the pedestrian street with his big red noise pointing toward the blue sky..................

Most by standers amused will smile except a few ill-mannered visitors will give a big laugh like me as appreciation of a good street art well performed.

Located at Tiradentes Square, the beautiful Catedral Basílica Menor de Nossa Senhora da Luz of Curitiba was built from 1876 to 1893, in neo-Gothic style, inspired in the Igreja da Sé of Barcelona. The Cathedral is dedicated and has an image of Nossa Senhora da Luz dos Pinhais, Saint Patron of Curitiba. It was founded on March 29th, 1693 and it is considered the most important construction on Tiradentes Square.

We met Santa Claus in Curitiba City

We met Santa Claus in Curitiba City

24th December 1996

On the morning of Christmas eve (24 December 1996) we met Santa Claus in downtown Curitiba. He appeared in a sudden. We hesitated for a moment then quickly realized that the red and white Christmas Father in front of us is whom we have been wishing to see since childhood.

Father Christmas, we learned in stories, only appear to children of good standing ........ and now we stumble right in front of him as he stand  in front of us with a warm smiling face..................

Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle)  is a historical, legendary and mythological character associated with bringing gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

After a long night bus ride from FOZ, we arrived Curitiba early this morning, 24 December 1996, the morning of Christmas Eve.  We put up at a small hotel next to the bus station. We came to Curitiba for a 4 days Christmas holidays.

After wash up we were out for breakfast nearby. It was still early and the streets were still empty. As we walked down a quiet street not far from our hotel, a shop house door opened and we saw him, the Christmas Father Santa Claus, walked out of the door with his wife. 

Before, we have seen many department store sales assistants dressed up  for a silly look-alike Father Christmas. But today we met the real Santa Claus.

He had a broad face, and a little round belly.  With his long snow white beard and red gown standing tall,  he was the jolly Santa Claus that we have all come to expect. 

..........Santa Claus hold his gift bag in his right hand, the bag was empty.  Yes, off course its was still empty, but not when the night fall when he will visit each children with a bag loaded with presents.  For now, early in the morning, he is in a hurry with his wife to go shopping for presents before night fall .....................

I asked, in broken Spanish,  if we could have a  photo with him.
Santa Claus answered with a welcoming smile..... Shirley and Xing had a photo with Santa ..... and an ever lasting memories.

As I am getting old it is not the days that I remember, only moments, moments in the memories.... and Santa Claus in Curitiba gave us a memorable moment of Christmas spirit.

To all my dear friends, a Merry Christmas to you. Santa Claus is not a legend, so when you walk on a silent street on the Christmas Day be prepare to meet Santa Claus, for he does appear suddenly to children (and adult) of good standing ........ 



More about Curitiba From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Link : Welcome to Curitiba
Link : Curitiba: Story of a City

1996 Christmas Holiday to Curitiba

23 Dec 1996 Foz do Iguaçu to Curitiba

We are going to Curitiba tonight by bus from Foz do Iguaçu bus station to Cutitiba bus ststion. For 3 adult the fare from Foz to Curitiba is R$175 (Rm560)

Aida, care taker of Chun Xing, is invited to accompany us. After all, for the good work on taking care of Chun Xing, she deserved a holiday outing too.

We had our dinner (R$6.80 Rm21) at the Foz bus station before boarding.

The journey is 10 hours passing through farm and ranch country, hilly with beautiful fields we never able to see in Malaysia.

Driver in Paraguay and Brazil is a respected profession. Unlike in Malaysia where bus and truck drivers are considered as cheap workers (with low pay)

The drives, especially driver of a tourist coutch like the one we are going to travel with, are smartly drassed in uniform. Though without a captain cap, they look smarter then most pilots of our MAS airline.

Drivers here receive respect from the public. In one of my bus journey passing a farm village, a boy by the road side with body straight and chest up gave a salut to the bus driver with hand held up infront the forehead. I seen such a couple of other times in South America.

Itaipú Dam: The world's largest hydroelectric plant

Itaipú Dam: The world's largest hydroelectric plant.

1.5 Km from the Dam is a zoo that has a display room of stuffed animals. We spend some time in this display room taking photographs

.

December 10, 1996 Tuesday - Text by Shirley Wong

Our Dressmaking Class has an outing today with our professora. And the place ? Non other then the world largest hydroelectric power plant.

Noemi, sussana, Carmen are among us.

Our group had eaten our lunch at 10:30 A.M

In the afternoon went to The Itaipu Local Zoo. We did not spend too long because of rain. We were all caught caught in the rain specially profesora and I were too wet.

Itaipú hydroelectric power plant - the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world. Completed only several years earlier. Build over Paraná River, the river that flow acrosse Panorama Condominium where we stay.

Itaipú Dam represents the efforts of two countries, Brazil and Paraguay.

The dam lies 20km north of Ciudad del Este.

A main draw for visitors of the city.

Itaipu’s turbines still produce more electricity than any other power station on Earth, supplying electricity to Paraguay and Brazil. For this it was recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

Itaipu Dam area also include a museum and a zoo.

The zoo houses many of the animals rescued from the forests flooded when the dam was constructed.

Good Bye Macosur

15th November 1996 Macosur Company officially closed down. Today, the office paid all the outstanding salary to all the staff and workers but without a farewell party.

The sawmill already stopped for half year without new log coming in. Followed by the S4S line shortly after all the remaining raw wood are used up.

17th November 1996 Senior Ramirez came to our house to paid up G65,000 (US$33) he owed us and gave us a warm good bye. After that he carried his 2 bags of all belonging and waited for a public bus by the highway. Moment later he board a bus and with it he left forever.

Senior Ramirez aged 60+ is the oldest office staff of Macosur sawmill who worked for the company almost for the whole life. Now at his retirement age he saw also the company closing down. How much he keep for his remaining life from the company he work for I do not know, but I understanding the intense of his financial difficulty that for the mere US$33 took him half a year to pay up.

And for my whole family, 2 weeks later on 1 December 1996 we started living in a condominium in Ciudad del Este City just 22 Km away. My job continue as usual under the Taiwanese company.

The Paraguay sawmill was later dismantled after the land changed ownership, with only its formal address remain in history record:

MACOSUR S.A.

RUTA 7, KM22,

ALTO PARANA, MINGA GUAZU.

TEL: (595) 064-510

MACOSUR S.A. -

MAderas del COno SUr S.A.

(Timber of Southern Cone)

International and Multinational Private company .. Asuncion .. Manufacturing:

November 15, 1996 (Friday)

Macosur closed. On this day they already paid all the workers.

November 09, 1996 (Saturday)

Went to birthday of Noemi. The celebration was held on their

Evangelican church. Yee and I are the godmother and godfather of

her 15th birthday.

November 15, 1996 (Friday)

Macosur closed. On this day they already paid all the workers.

Normi's quinceañeras

Normi's dresses for quinceañeras (galas for girls' 15th birthdays)

Normi's 15th Birthday

November 09, 1996 (Saturday)

Noemi's 15th Birthday celebration at their Evangelican church. Shirley and I are the godmother and godfather of her 15th birthday.

Quinceañera Celebration - Celebration of 15th Birthday

The Quinceañera is a celebration of a young girl's coming of age (her 15th birthday). In Paraguay, like else where in Latin America, a girl's 15th birthday is considered an important milestone.

This Hispanic tradition dates back to the ancient native cultures of South America.

This rite of initiation, that is rooted in the customs of the Toltec & Aztec, the Maya, the Quechua and other indigenous civilizations, continues today in the traditions of the present-day Hispanic cultures.

In Latin America's Latino cultures, a girl's 15th birthday, (a quinceañera) , marks her passage into adulthood. This celebration often includes a religious ceremony at church, in which the young lady recognizes her heritage and her spiritual journey.

September 15, 1996 (Sunday)

Family picnic in Km 36. We bought fish and barbeque there.

The 2 young brothers played with Xing Xing. Xing bath for few

minutes because the water is so cold.

One paloma died and 2 missing.

At night I cooked steamed fish.

September 08,1996 (Saturday)

We went to Km 65 (Mr.Chens factory )together with Fernando and

Mr Chou Chin for asado. The first time I met Mr. Chou Chin.

At night we went to house of Nelson for birthday of the son. I

gave watch as a gift.

3rd Anniversary

“Do you know what PARQUE is? “ A Taiwanese asked me in Hong Kong.

“errrrr…… Flooring !!? Wood plank for the floor !!?.....” I answered with hesitation but with confident.

I got the job. He became my employer. I came to my new office in South America.

Sunday 6 June 1996 3rd Anniversary of our marriage.

Today is our third wedding anniversary. The past few years have flown by so quickly!

3rd Anniversary mean 3rd year in Paraguay. In less then 3 months after married in Hong Kong, we flew half of the globe to this part of South America. It was just like yesterday, but we are already living 3 years in Paraguay....with a first son born in South America .....time fly.

Shirley decorated the sitting room. Cooked and we have guest for our anniversary celebration meal.

We have guest for our anniversary ....... the mother and sisters of Josephina. And the girl sitting on the 2nd left is the daughter of Nelson, the security guide who is on shift at the factory main gate that day.

Wedding of Emilio and Sonia

June 01, 1996 Saturday

We went to the wedding ceremony of Emilio and Sonia at Church 16Km. We have to be there because we are the god parents of this newly wed.

It was one Monday a month ago (May 06, 1996) Emilio and Sonia accompanied by Jose came to our house and request us to be their godmother and godfather in their coming church marriage ceremony. Shirley delightfully accepted.

"...what should I do as a godfather?" I asked Shirley later.

"...walked her into the church and give her hand to the waiting husband in front the altar...." She is sure of this.

.... And I did that on the day of wedding ceremony of Emilio and Sonia.

Birthday of our teacher. Some brought bocaditos like sopa

Paraguayo, milanesa and others. The cake and cokes we contribute­ed. After eating we had picture taking. I asked them to pay me

1000 Guaranies each after developing and they agree.

TEXT BY SHIRLEY WONG

March 18,1996 (Monday)

My fist day in

Modista class started on 18th March 1996. The first project for the students were uniforms chqueta (chaleco), skirt and blouse.

April 02, 1996 (Tuesday) First time we used uniform. Birthday of our teacher. Some brought bocaditos like sopa

Paraguayo, milanesa and others. The cake and cokes we contribute¬ed. After eating we had picture taking. I asked them to pay me 1000 Guaranies each after developing and they agree.

December 03, 1996 (Tuesday)

I did not go to school. Looking for a house to stay.

December 04, 1996 (Wednesday)

Cleaned the new flat w/ Aida.

December 05, 1996 (Thursday)

Yee and I bought refrigerator and stove from abasto.

Started moving things.

December 08, 1996 (Sunday)

It is Caacupe Day.

Fernando fetch us to macosur. Taking some of our important

things.

February 17,1996 (Saturday)

Yee was making for the cage of the Loro. I painted it with

color green.

I paid 30000 guaranies to the man who cut grasses. It should

be 20000 G. only but we paid extra 10000 G.

At night we Yee and I burned some of the grasses. For the

first time it cleared cut all the grasses in the garden.

We have eaten our lunch and dinner in the garden.

11th January 1996 Late Spring. Summer is approaching.

A lazy afternoon in our side-yard. Chun Xing have fund playing his toy, the horse, with care taker Josephina. While at the back-yard Shirley saw the onion she planted is now growing.

The staff quarter we stay is at the back ground - The water tower, kitchen window, bathroom window, bedroom window, and portion of the front yard. The highway is just 50 meters at the left hand side. This is a typical country house in South America.

This back yard is our open living room we spend our time in spring, summer and autumn.

to see the green snake and

has eaten 2 birds on the guava tree (house made by Peter).

1995 New Year Eve

December 31, 1995 (Sunday).


New Year Eve
31 December 1995 Sunday

Sandra and Ceasar (Guard's son and daughter) came to visit the father.

They helped us in the garden by fancing a plot of vegetable bed using empty beer bottles.

We never drink beer, these bottles were an accumulation by someone from the factory for years. We decided to make use of them.

We put on the hose to water the plants then Xing Xing starts playing the water happily.

Xing Xing was hammering the furniture and playing on the logs yard with earth and wood.

At night was a mini party for New Year. We have two security guards. The families of 2 guards came.

Our factory is patrolled by rifle-toting security guards on day and night shift. The factory manager and we live inside the factory compound.

12:00 midnight, BBQ at the guide house with the family members of the 2 guides.

  Xing was fast asleep while we welcome the New Year.

27th Birthday of Shirley

Km 20, Minga Guazu
27 December 1995 Wednesday


December 27, 1995 (Wednesday) is Shirley 27th birthday.  They had an outing at Rodeo Km.20  while I go to work in Ciuded del Este.

Unsatisfied with the fun, at nigh they continue the birthday party with barbeque in the house of Leonardo.

In Minga Guazu District are 4 rivers : Monday, Acaray, the stream Acaray-mi and Santa Maria. I do not know which river this is but this stream is just 1 km from Macosur factory where we stay. All these friends are from the neighbor hood.

Prize for Christmas Lucky Draw

December 1995

December 10, 1995 (Sunday) In the afternoon were playing volley ball together with Ariel, Sony, Lillian and Nilsa suddenly Marcelo ran and knock his forehead to forehead of Sony.

December 17, 1995 Sunday) Elvira changed the lock of the gate and we do not have the key.

December 23, 1995 (Saturday) Josefina has gone back to her house in Sta Rita for Christmas Holiday.
Only comes back on December 27.

December 28, 1995 (Thursday) Leonardo has a sister who is a nun.  They met today and she gave Shirley a pendant (Maria Auxiliadora).

December 29, 1995 (Friday) Shirley cleared the grass on the garden for planting vegetables. Replanted the white bean from the can to garden.

Strike at Friendship Bridge

Photo above downloaded from Google Image. The view is exectly the same angle view from my office at Panonama apartment building.  This photo dated August 2008 most probable taken from the same building.


A beautiful view of the Friendship Bridge (Puente de la Amistadthat) from Paraguay crosses into Brazil.

I used to walk across this bridge alone. But crossing this bridge for cars is a challenge during weekdays.

Its a two lane bridge  and the traffic moves slow.  On a Sunday day (when all shops closed) a car can get across in half an hour.  But weekdays may take as long as couple of hours to cross.


November 24, 1995 (Friday)
I came back from Brazil but Fernando stayed there because the car cannot pass on the Friendship bridge. The Paraguay people had strike because of the new law of Brazil.


http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/iez/50026.pdf

Ciudad del Este is an Informal international trade center which depends heavily on shopping "tourism."

Brazilians and Argentinians travel to Ciudad del Este just to take advantage of the low import duties to purchase consumer electronics, office equipment, perfumes, whiskey, cigarettes, and other consumer items.

This trade, along with illicit trade through the area, has earned Ciudad del Este notoriety as a smuggler's paradise.

Shopping tourism declined in 1997, the year we left Ciudad del Este for Malaysia.

This is because of weakening economic growth in Brazil and Argentina and stricter controls by Brazilian authorities.

Holiday in Paraguay

Date	Holiday
January 1	New Year's Day
March 1	Heroes' Day	End of the Triple Alliance War
March/ April	Maundy/Holy Thursday	Movable, Lunar Calendar
March/ April	Good Friday	Movable, Lunar Calendar
May 1	Labor Day
May 15	Independence Day	May 14 and 15 for schools
June 12	Chaco Armistice	End of the Chaco War
August 15	Founding of Asunción	Arrival of the Spaniards
September 29	Boqueron Battle Victory	Chaco War version of D-day
December 8	Virgin of Caacupe	Immaculate Conception
December 25	Christmas Day	Jesus's Birthday

November 1995

November 21, 1995 (Tuesday) Went to accompany Vilda and the sister in CDE at the same time took photograph at them.

November 22, 1995 (Wednesday) Josefina and Shirley played volley ball, after playing they played on the sand together with Celia(maid of Elvira), Diego and Marcelo. They covered the body of Josefina using sand and put flag on her top using guava leaves.

November 26, 1995 (Sunday) Shirley went with Vilda and sister (Sussana) to Km 16 Don Bosco to attend the graduation day of Nilsa. Xing Xing stayed with me at home.

After graduation they had bocadito and brought cake.

November 27, 1995 (Monday) Shirley brought Xing Xing together with Josefina and Nilsa and the mama (Juliana) for swimming in Km 21. We rode on a cargo truck. It is quite a nice place. Xing Xing likes to stay very much in the water. He doesn't want other baby to use his salbavida.

Returning home by taxi at 2:30 P.M the rest at about 5:00 P.M.

At night we all went to CDE office for the night.

Josefina came the next day. Not many people in CDE because of strike. The puente close so the people from Brazil can't pass at the same time from Paraguay also.

November 30, 1995 (Thursday) Shirley made a decorative candle to decorate in front of door while Xing Xing was playing.

Shirley cut a feliz Navidad Ano Nuevo decoration with color printer in the CDE office.

I went to Brazil with Fernando and come back at night.

October 1995

October 07, 1995 (Saturday) Went to watch the video of Xing Xing's birthday in the house of Luis.
It was the birthday of Vilda (wife of Luis). She got a Philippines t-shirt from Shirley.


October 08, 1995 (Sunday) In the afternoon we went for a event by the Chinese Association in Cde. There are so many prices like Hi fi set television etc. but we did not won any of them, together w/ us is Nilsa.



October 12, 1995 (Thursday) Shirley has  Sarna (Scabbies) sickness. She  went to Km. 41 alone to consult. The doctor recommends the Benzodermol soap and Benzodermol liquid (lotion).

Josefina took care of Xing Xing.


October 14, 1995 (Saturday) Repaired  the 4 arm chairs made last year holy week. After repairing will make a bed for use in Cde.

Xing Birthday

Sept.18, 1995 (Monday) Had given away the invitation of Xing's birthday.

Sept. 19, 1995 (Tuesday) Went to Asuncion for signature of our cedula and return the next day.

Sept. 21, 1995 (Thursday) Went to office Cde for Eca to clean and washing the clothes of Paul and Fernando.

September 23, 1995 (Saturday) Ordered Pepsi 36 bottle (2 litters) of soft drinks for birthday.

Sept. 24, 1995 (Sunday) The 1st birthday of Xing Xing. It was raining so the party postponed. Marcelo gave the gift to Xing Xing as well as Raul.

September 25, 1995 (Monday) To Asuncion for cedula's signature.

September 26, 1995 (Tuesday) Went to Identification for signing our cedula. Paul has gone to Taiwan in the afternoon.


September 30, 1995 (Saturday) Celebrated the birthday of Xing Xing. It was a nice party w/ decorations and videos. The guests are all happy because of foods of course and surprise gifts.

For the boys cars and chocolates and candies w/ whistling chicken, for the girls dolls chocolate and candies w/ whistling chicken. that some of the mothers asked dolls for them to decorate in their house.

Leonardo to take the invited neighbors here by taxi because it was still muddy because of past rains.

Brazilian Circus comes to Paraguay every year

Ciudad del Este
16 September 1995 Saturday

Sept. 16, 1995 (Saturday) At night we went to CDE to watch circus w/ Francisco family and sister of Elvira.

Brazilian Circus comes to Paraguay every year.

While circuses were already extinct in most parts of the world, in Paraguay we enjoy a round of circus almost every year.

New staff New office

September 07, 1995 (Thursday) We are moving to CDE so we went to cleaned the new office. In the afternoon we started buying the surprise gift for the coming 1st birthday of Xing Xing.

Bought 30 pcs of dolls and 24 pcs. of car.





September 09, 1995 (Saturday)
Paul treats us to restaurant together with the new staff of Prior , Fernando

September 10, 1995 (Sunday)
In the afternoon we went to the house of Hervandro. After we came back to macosur we went to Stroll in the lake together with Nilsa. This is the first time that Xing Xing goes to Lake.



September 11, 1995 (Monday) Moved the computer to New office in CDE.

5:30PM Paul and Fernando and I gone to Asuncion and coming back tomorrow.

September 12, 1995 (Tuesday)

CDE new office is ready. I went to sleep in CDE New office.

September 14, 1995 (Thursday) Shirley and Xing came to CDE office to sleep there.

Its my birthday

2 September 1995 Saturday

My 42nd birthday today.

Shirley prepared her specialty spaghetti while Josefina roasted chicken in the oven.

We eat at the front yard and this would be my 'happy birthday party'

Santa Rita - economical center of agriculture

August 29, 1995 (Tuesday) We arrive in Macosur and giving Pasalubong the next day.


August 31, 1995 (Thursday) Shirley went to Sta Rita to get a maid together w/ Leonardo and Paiva and Eca
It’s a long distance and she paid 100,000 guaranies for the taxi of  Leonardo.
They ate dinner at the prestigious Sta Rita Hotel.



Santa Rita is a district of the Alto Paraná Department.


Santa Rita was founded by brasilian Immigrants in the late 70ies.

The City is located in an highly productive agricultural area of soja-beans and cereals.

60km from Macosur factory where we were staying. 41 Km at Ruta 6.

For a population of 300.000 people, Santa Rita is an economical center of cattle and agriculture.


The Staufenberg Hotel
Santa Rita, Paraguay
31st August 1995 Thursday


Built in the years 1987 to 1989, the hotel unites native guarani art elements with typical european components. Combine solid construction with a maximum of art-effects.

Singapore

August 25, 1995 (Friday)

Our flight left malaysia at 1:00 and reaching Singapore at around 3:00 P.M.
We stayed in La Meridien Changi hotel and it was very nice place.

August 26, 1995 (Saturday) We walk up early in the morning to hurry our flight but we missed it.

We have to stay for an day in Singapore in the same hotel.

Took a  1:00 P.M tourist guide.

Singapore Botanic Gardens
26 August 1995 Saturday


August 27, 1995 (Sunday) This time we came early to airport. This time we left Singapore at 7:00 A.M to Tokyo. We stayed in Tokyo after few hours we transfer to United Airlines going to New York.

There somebody brought us to waiting room and won't allow us to go out by ourselves that even getting hot water of Xing Xing they accompany me.

We left New York at 10:00 P.M and reaching brazil at around 9:00 A.M. from brazil we took American Airlines flight and there first time they gave Xing Xing a present. The bag contains 2 nappies, 1 spoon, a book and others. Finally we reach Paraguay very safe for about 2 days transferring planes.


We go immediately to Japanes Hotel and after reaching we lied down and slept for long hours.

KK city

Kota Kinabalu City
23 August 1995 Wednesday


August 23, 1995 (Wednesday) Dinner at Chin Ka Tins house. Shirley and Xing stayed in the cinema to watch movie.

Kinarut Beach

Kinarut Beach
Malaysia
22nd August 1995 Tuesday


Seaside Travellers Inn, 20km south of Kota Kinabalu City (KK) along the Papar road, in a village called Kampung Laut Kinarut.

MIMPIAN JADI RESORT

August 20, 1995 (Sunday) Going back to K.K.

On the way to K.K we passed to a Taiwanese Hotel.

MIMPIAN JADI RESORT

Tuaran, Malaysia

20-8-1995 Sunday

It was raining when we reach K.K.

Malaysia

August 15, 1995 (Tuesday) The day we left Philippines to Malaysia. We arrive in Malaysia at around 9;00 A.M.

In the afternoon we brought Xing Xing to Doctor for his cough and flu.

In the evening Stella sent us to Doctor Jeremiah for fever.

This is the the first time Shirley met  Stella and Henry and William.



August 16, 1995 (Wednesday) Stella recommended us to another hotel. The hotel we selected was a ‘Cheap’ hotel only for the ‘local’.

So we moved in to New Hotel she recommended  near the Cinema where she has her shop.


August 17-19, 1995 This next 3 days we went to BCCM  together w/ Stella, Henry and William. using the car of William.




August 21, 1995 (Monday)  Uncle Syak Choi family invited us for  dim Sum in the Hotel Shanglila

Leaving Manila

August 12, 1995 (Saturday) Xing Xing's baptismal in Saint Vincent Baguio in the Philippines. After the baptismal we went to Camp John Hay for picnic.


August 14, 1995 (Monday) The day we left Baguio going to Manila by airplane. After reaching Manila we go to Philippine Village Hotel. It is a nice Hotel.

More birthday parties

July 01, 1995 (Saturday) Birthday party of Mariela. They celebrated in the house of  Nelson.

July 02, 1995 (Sunday) Birthday of son of Jose and Maria.


July 03, 1995 (Monday) The temporary maid started on this day. Carlos was the one who  look for maid (Josefina) from km 22.


July 07, 1995 (Friday) It was raining. Have been to Bank Sudameris to withdraw money  for ticket after that to banco Oriental to deposit 1,000 dollars  to Shirley account.

We also went to (infantil) to inject Xing Xing for  hepatitis B. I paid 70000 Guaranies for the hepatitis injection.

Injection at Centro de Salud Minga Guazú

June 22, 1995(Thursday)

Shirley brought Xing to Centro de Salud in Km 16 at 8:00 A.M for free injection of Sarampionosa.
As usual, they called Leonardo texi.

Came back early 9:00 A.m.

Centro de Salud at Minga Guazú is just 5 kilometers away.

Centro de Salud de Minga Guazú

taxi driver's reunion

June 21, 1995(Wednesday) At 1:00 p.m we went to the house of Leonardos mother and brother to get oranges. There are more than 4 bags of mandarine, lemon and oranges. At night Yee and Xing eat a lot of oranges.





June 23, 1995 (Friday) Leonardo invited us to go to taxi driver's reunion tomorrow in Km 21. One ticket worth 4000 guaranies.


June 24, 1995 (Saturday) It has strong wind and it's raining and has also lightning. A few minutes that has no light. We didn't able to go to taxi driver reunion party because of strong rain. Instead Leonardo just sent the food to us.

2nd Anniversary day

June 09(Friday) Our 2nd Anniversary day. We eat in Shangri-la (Lee garden) to celebrate our anniversary. Around 70,000 Guaranies for the restaurant.
Xing Xing always wants to crawl under the chairs and table.

Hernandarias

June 05(Monday) In the morning Lorenie told Shirley that the son of Nelson found and tied the cow.


June 06(Tuesday) I brought the mother and son with me  to Hernandarias after that I collected the photographs of Lilians birthday.

Before going back to Macosur we Passed to Km 16 for check up of Xing (cough).

They give him Nebulization. Yee paid 100000 Guaranies for taxi. We were using that car 1:00 P.M up to 6:00 P.M.

Birthday parties

June 03(Saturday) At night we attend the birthday party of Christian David (son of Paiva). We stayed there up to 10:30 P.M. Xing was very happy looking at the light of Video.

June 04(Sunday) Xing and Shirley attended  the birthday party of Leonardo Ramon (son of Lillian and Leonardo). While I am returning from Asuncion.

The Cow is gone

May 26, 1995 (Saturday) The Cow was gone.

May 27, 1995 (Sunday) The photographer came to give us the photo of Luis mothers Cumpleanos. At the same time Xing also took photographs together w/ us and the puppy.

May 28, 1995 (Monday) Went to Km. 16 for check up of Xing Xing. This time we tried another Doctor (Dr. Caballero) introduced by the driver Leonardo.

Lillian, taxi driver wife,  also brought their children check up (Ramon’s face bitten by the dog). The time for check up of Dr Caballero is afternoon.



May 29, 1995 (Tuesday) Went to Km.19 to see the cow. We went there first w/ Silvina, Caballero, Jose by using the car of Macosur.

 The second time we Went by taxi. We brought the picture of us together with the cow then we realize that cow is not belonging to us.

After that we went Immediately to house of Lorenie's mother and there we found the Cow.

Uchiyamada Hotel

May 24, 1995 (Wednesday) Moved to Uchiyamada hotel. For dinner we eat in Uchiyamada restaurant. We cooked in our Table.


May 25, 1995 (Thursday) Went to park in Asuncion to see the pigeons. We bought corn For the pigeons. We also saw the children living on the squatter area. Gave them orange (mandarin).

Diamond Restaurant

May 22, 1995 (Monday) Went to Asuncion to send Paul.
 It was cold day We slept that day in San martin hotel.

We have dinner in Lee Garden together w/ Marcos after that Marcos  use his car to bring us  to see a painting exhibition.

May 23, 1995 (Tuesday) Sent Paul to airport. We eat dinner in diamond restaurant.

Mother's Day

May 15, 1995 (Monday) Mother’s Day Out to CDE just to eat in the restaurant. We lunch at in Tokyo restaurant to celebrate mother's day. I bought 1 red flower for Xing as regalo for his mother.




May 20, 1995 (Sunday) Today we went to Quintana's factory to attend the birthday of Luis mother. We gave her 20,000 guaranies as regalo.

Opening a bank account in Paraguay

May 01, 1995 (Monday) Today's is worker's day. At night we have asado together w/ Leonardo and Lilian, Luis and Vilda. We ate outside the house.


May 02, 1995 (Tuesday) We went to CDE to open a bank account of Shirley. It's needed in Order to get cedula. The minimum is U.S$ 5,000. We only deposit 4000.


May 04, 1995 (Thursday) Went to Km.16 to get certificate of Police that we are living here in Macosur. Our witnesses were Francisco and his wife Elvisra. We paid 20,000 guaranies for the certificate.

After that we went to Tokyo restaurant for Lunch.

Dinner

April 12, 1995 (Wednesday) It's a non-working day because of Holy week. We just stayed in Macosur for  carpentry works.

April 13, 1995 (Thursday) Holy Thursday.  Finished the shoe shelves.

April 16, 1995 (Sunday) We invited Lillian and Leonardo, Luis and Vilda to eat dinner in our house but Vilda did not able to come. Cooked fried chicken and curry beef and rice.

April 29, 1995 (Saturday) Went to CDE with by texi because  it was raining. We paid the taxi forty thousand guaranies.

 It was Marcelo's birthday we bought toy as regalo for him. We bought also a table chair for Xing worth 169,420 guaranies and some clothes for him.

April 30, 1995 (Sunday) Jose and the wife came and we cooked fish asado. At night we just ate sardines w/ rice w/ Vilda.  

Xing Xing's first time to eat cooked foods

March 24, 1995 (Friday) Today is the 6th months of Xing Xing. We went to km. 41 for his check

We bought thandador for Xing Xing. In the afternoon we went to clinic of Doctor Cardozo to inject Xing Xing.

Xing Xing's first time to eat cooked foods of potato with chicken soup.

cedula and passport of Xing

March 06, 1995 (Monday) Went to Km 41 to get birth Certificate of Xing Xing in Hospital (important for his document). In the afternoon we went back again to Asuncion. We took the 6:30 P.M bus.


March 07,1995(Tuesday) We went to Agency and one of the staff brought us to government department for Identification Card of Xing Xing.

We went there in the morning for Cedula and in the afternoon we went to another department for passport.


March 08, 1995 (Wednesday) We moved to  Japanese Hotel Wednesday morning because it's near to  Agency. There is much better than San Martin. That Hotel has restaurant.

No result about the cedula no. of Xing Xing.


March 09, 1995 (Thursday) We took taxi going to Identification office to ask what is the no. of cedula of Xing Xing but no result yet so we go directly to terminal back to Macosur.


March 22, 1995 (Wednesday) Xing Xing can already say ma-ma. Ana was the one who heard first


March 23 1995 (Thursday) I  came back from Asuncion with the cedula and passport of Xing Xing.

Applying for an IC

March 01, 1995 (Wednesday) Today in non working holiday (no work). I went to CDE to buy ticket going to Asuncion.


March 02, 1995 (Thursday) We took the 9:00 A.M bus going to Asuncion to process passport of Xing Xing and Cedula.

After we reach Hotel San Martin we took a rest and directly going to Agency. We didn’t able to do it because the birth Certificate of Xing Xing in hospital was needed.

In the afternoon Xing and Shirley stayed in San Martin while I went to Limpio factory.


March 03, 1995 (Friday) All of us went  to Dr. Melenie's factory (Limpio).
In the afternoon  went to another factory w/ Marcos while the mother and son stayed in Hotel San martin.

At night we have dinner  in Diamond restaurant.


March 04, 1995 (Saturday) We came back to Macosur and go again on Monday.