MennoLink Books and Music

This colorful book on PARAGUAY is the first comprehensive English language tour guide published about this small, land-locked country. The first three chapters on Basics, Information on Getting There, and Information While Being There provide the nuts and bolts: from the name 'Paraguay', to facts and figures, demographics, geography, economy, passports and visas, airlines, clothing, inoculation, health, insurance, customs, going solo vs. group tour, weather, getting around, email, tipping, embassies, to hospitals.

The next three chapters, History, Culture, and Asuncion, describe the Jesuit period, the Triple Alliance War, the Chaco War, politics, music, language and literature, painting, sculpture, carvings, museums, universities, monuments, strolls through Asuncion, proud buildings, memorable restaurants, great lodging, and the Mennonite impact. A Mennonite writer and a painter are also featured. The four chapters on going North, South, East and West of Asuncion explore the countryside, with the chapter on the West detailing the civilizing of the Chaco by the Mennonites.

The final two chapters, Uniquely Paraguay and Oddities explain the name Guarani, nanduti, sopa Paraguaya, yerba mate, algorrobo, mandioca, long life milk, the Southern Cross, and the reversal of periods and commas. The Appendix contains measurement conversion factors, basic Spanish, bibliography, and personal interest stories such as Kornelius Issak, Liese Kaethler, Madame Lynch, and Katharina Warkentin

Copyright 2009 Erwin Booschmann