I’m on the planning comité for the big expo fair we have here in the center of town each November.  I needed to talk to the president of the comité, Olga, one on one about some specifics so I could be of help. It takes much concentration for me to get the gist of what a group of folks are saying in rapid Castellano mixed with Guarani (called “Jopara”).  Face to face with one person is easiest.

Turns out Olga was on the bus to Asuncion also, so we sat together during our three hour trip yesterday, doing just that.  I was using lots of hand signals, sort of a charades deal, for things I didn’t know how to say.

At one point when we were talking about the crowning of the Ao Po’i Queen, I wanted to know how they obtain or choose their contestants. I don’t know why I couldn’t remember “obtener” – to obtain, or “elegir” -to choose.

It was beginning to be funny as I searched for words, laughing at myself all the while. Olga began laughing too, as I ended up saying a prayer with hands together in front, then running my hand from left shoulder down to right hip with an imaginary sash, then three fingers above my head like a crown, saying in Castellano as if I were the potential contestant- “Can I, por favor, be in the group to be Queen?”  She immediately understood my question and we laughed and laughed!  She said the way I describe things that I can’t say in Castellano is so “sweet”.  I think she was just being nice.  I’m sure I looked like a crazy person with all those antics!

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