Is that time of the year again.
I miss Paraguay all year around but on December it gets really tough on me, the holidays approaching, Its starts with the 8th of December that is biggest Religious holiday in Paraguay, the Day of the Virgin of Caacupe, thousands of pilgrims from the whole country go the beautiful Basilica of Caacupe,
mostly by foot to pay off some promises.
Most people in Paraguay are Catholic and they go to church on Sundays, they celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, the birth of Jesus. They meet at Christmas eve and have a late dinner and wait till midnight to open their presents, next day they mostly sleep, the real celebration for them is on Christmas eve.
When I was little even though my family was not Catholic I grew up giving Christmas a religious sense. I remember we always had fun that night, all together, with a colorful tree and kids all playing around.
Since I’m here Christmas is a stressful shopping race, who buys the most expensive things, getting or not getting in debt? that is the dilemma, what to buy for whom? will he or she like it? what about a gift card?…its just about buying and buying …its not about baby Jesus anymore, its about stuff, cars, diamonds and huge televisions…
It all starts after Thanksgiving…the holiday season, I feel that the season is invading my life, the Christmas jingles in all stations (I started listening some cds in the car), zillions of advertisements in the mail, in the papers and on television, all these cute decorations everywhere, the lights, the streets fulls of magic…but again, is this real? It seems a big fantasy to me, a gig money making industry that unfortunately has nothing to do with the Christmas I remember.
I have a tiny little tree at home, a stocking on the fireplace, and a tiny wood carved Pesebre (the representation of the birth of Jesus). It is not that I don’t like Xmas (like many may think), I do love it in my hear, in a different way, in a less bombastic way for sure.
I wish I could be with my family in Paraguay, but this will be another Christmas far away, oh well, I thank God that I have a great family here and awesome friends and will spend some quality time with them.
Or maybe I’ll just Celebrate festivus instead 
December 6th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
I just returned from Paraguay today. I loved it! The people are wonderful. I visited San Bernardo and learned of the Flor de Coco. My grand daughter says, “Upa” and “noni” when she is tired. So cute. She loves her terere each day as well. i bought silver in Luque and leather gifts for Christmas. But…it was SOOOOO hot!!
December 7th, 2007 at 6:58 am
Welcome Back!! Missed you =) I’m so glad you enjoyed your trip!
December 7th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Hi Muna,
I belong to an e-mail group for adoptive parents of Paraguayan children. I found your blog by googling Paraguay under blogs when we were planning our trip to Paraguay this past summer and really enjoy reading your posts-they’re so informative! We spent our son’s first Christmas in Paraguay and have wonderful memories from that time-Papa Noel, the food!, etc. There was a song about Paraguay and Flor de Coco-can’t remember the words, but the tune is in my head. We were also told on our last trip that “the chicken is in the Christmas scene since the chicken announced the birth of Christ”. Do you know about that story? Also about the white and black chickens for the kitchen-they said you have to have both for good luck. We loved the basilica of Caacupe, especially the paintings inside that tell the story of the Guarani and the Virgen of Caacupe. Do you mind if I post your blog address to the members of the Paraguay Adoption group (PALS)? Many have not been back to Paraguay and their children have an interest in their culture and I think your blog is an awesome resource-I don’t want to do it without your permission. For example, yesterday a mom had a question about Paraguay’s Independance Day and how it’s celebrated-her daughter was doing a project for school on it. My son has done many school projects on his country, and your blog has been helpful to us. Thank you for considering this.
December 7th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Hi Maggie
Of course and the pleasure will be all mine if you post my blog on the Paraguay Adoption Group, and please send me the url too so I can take a look, I didn’t know there was a website about that, I’m so glad you found this blog interesting.
I love those black and white chickens for good luck (but I don’t know why, maybe its time to find out and let you know), I have them around, they are sooo cute. And yes we usually eat chicken or turkey on Christmas day but I didn’t know it ment the birth of Jesus, how interesting!!
I’m happy for you guys that you decide to adopt from Paraguay, I hope more people were doing =)
Send me some photos of your beautiful family, and please let me know when you are back in Paraguay maybe we can meet if I’m also around.
Many blessing, saluditos!
December 8th, 2007 at 2:30 am
We move to Paraguay en Julio.
December 8th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
Muna,
The main website is pyadopt.org there is also a list serve that is moderated so we can e-mail each other with questions, etc. Thank you again for your help.
Maggie
December 9th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Hola Muna!! que alegria es leer tus historia!! sos genial!! Sii yo tambien estoy con la misma idea de lo que es Navidades aqui!! trato de mantener la idea de la verdadera Navidad pero es muy dificil, la mayoria de las personas solo piensan en comprar y asi competir entre unos y otros!! que no daria por ir caminando a Caacupe!! aqui solo fui a misa y nada mas!! el proximo verano construire una gruta en mi jardin donde tendre la imagen de la Virgen todo el anho. Somos dos la muy tristes por no poder ir a PARAGUAY este mes de diciembre!! Tengo una esperanza talvez me vaya a fines de febrero!!.. un abrazo!! hasta la proxima.