Time to put this puppy to bed ....but first....

....and sorry for the delay...

Time for some well deserved R&R.

We started by travelling to Caacupe to visit the very impressive basilica.

Dedicated to the "virgin of Caacupe" it is Paraguay s version of our St. Josephs Oratory in Montreal.

Story goes that back in the day a lost and starving native was saved by a vision of the Virgin.

Very impressive structure!!!
 http://santuariovirgendecaacupe.com/ - check it out!


Paraguay is predominantly Catholic and the faithful will, like Mecca, make a pilgrimage, usually on foot, to this site at some point in their lives, and usually during the festival of the Virgin which occurs during the second week of December.

The town of Caacupe pretty much exists for this church with many vendors selling religious artifacts and other bric-a-brac.

...nothing says R&R like a hammock!

We continued our journey to "La Quinta".

www.laquinta.com.py - again, check it out!

...absolutely gorgeous grounds, very comfortable rooms with the usual amenities that one would expect at a resort.

Olga Ferreira, the owner/ host could not do enough for us including greeting us with cool, moist, floral scented towels ....nice touch!!!
Fabulous food and hospitality ....pool, horseback riding, or "just chillin"
...a good [relaxing] time had by all!!

The next morning we were off to an "eco-adventure" at the Mbatovi eco reserve.

....jungle hike

...flora and fauna

...suspension bridges across the gorge

...zip lining [my personal fav!]

...rappelling [...another fav]

...all in all a wonderful experience!!!

It's now time to officially wind down the adventure.
It's time to head into town for lunch, a shopping stop, then back to our HQ at the Pelican Hotel in Asuncion....a bit of free time then off to an upscale restaurant [arranged by Claudia] for our final dinner together, including Claudia, Azu, our driver Miguel, go to it guy Dani and a few others.

I wouldn't call it a particularly emotional event but it did seem a tad subdued to me, knowing that tomorrow we will go our separate ways and back to our version of reality.

...as for me, the next day I flew to Buenos Aires, to spend the night at the Savoy Hotel, before heading back to the airport for the very long flight home.
 [a la-de-da moment for me ....I knew the Savoy would be the lap of luxury compared to the past three weeks and opted to treat myself,
[just the name...Savoy...conjures images of opulence] but holy crap!!!....right downtown, old style elegance, doorman, 12' ceilings, yet very modern updated rooms....I felt like I should shave my "scruff" down to a "pencil thin moustache",  slick back what little hair I have, adopt my best "Clark Gable" persona, engage in some fine dinning, then seek out a Tango bar ....but I digress]
...dinner was the best yet  ...an amazing medium rare rib eye, grilled to perfection!
...to pooped to Tango!

...Arrived at Pearson to be greeted by my darling daughter....greeted with a big hug, a large "Timmys" and the passing comment that I "look like a fuzzy homeless Argentinean"
...good thing familial love is unconditional!     ....love you to Eden!   :)

And now dear readers, a treat.....I actually managed to cajole a few thoughts from the rest of the team.....I will say adios and turn this over to them.

This was my 5^th Habitat trip and every trip has been better than the last one. We had a great team and it was  so easy to be the leader. I plan to keep doing trips and my next one will be to Cambodia in December. It would be great to have people from this team (or any of my past teams)  join me in Cambodia.I also hope to keep in touch with everyone.
- Murray Coates...team lead

How does one describe paradise?  Up until March 22 it had a totally different meaning than it does now.  The adventure of building a house with 13 strangers was only the beginning.  To see the excitement on Alexi’s as the walls went up was something I will not forget for a very long time.  It filled my heart with such happiness.  Would I recommend this paradise to anyone else, in a heartbeat!  - - Wendy W

.....yes I would do it again. What better way to learn to work together with people you have never met, in a different land and really different culture, to help people who need a home. A truly rewarding experience, and a whole lot of fun too.

- Barb Hamilton 

Lovely experience!  I didn’t know If I would be carried out on a stretcher, but I did walk out on my own two feet…. however wobbly. The group was terrific and great friendships were forged.  And the Paraguayans team was marvelous….al Dentro en mi Corazon,  Siempre!!    

- Lydia

This was my first Habitat experience and I can’t imagine ever topping this trip. Our team members were like family and the relationships we built with the homeowners and masons [albanils] were unforgettable. I have grown 2 new abs as a result of all of our laughter! Paraguay will forever be in my heart.

                                                -Emily Harry  

I am so overwhelmed by the occurrences and memories that  have happened on this trip. I had such a blast and would recommend it to anyone! I met a great group of people; many of whom I will keep close to me forever. My heart will never forget this trip and the amazing people I have met. I will definitely be involved with another Habitat project in the future!  - Jen

I came to Paraguay with the idea that I would help build a house for some one in need. I’m leaving having done that and so much more. I’ve also learnt a lot about myself and can’t wait to do another build.   

- Andre Wanlin

Fantastcio!!!

- Ann Cardiff

An amazing trip! New friends both from Canada and Paraguay, lots of laughs and great memories…..esp. my new boss and amigo…..Manuel!

- Wendy Galigan

Paraguay is a “diamond in the rough”  The country is incredibly beautiful and the Paraguayans, whether young, old, rich or poor, are very welcoming and patient with our efforts to learn some Spanish.  This was the most enriching and rewarding two weeks of my life.     

- Bob J.

  

Great time, great people, highly recommend this to any one who has some spare time and wants to fill up their life with good feelings.  Not to toot my own horn, but I feel as a group we have made a tangible contribution, which was my goal.  Will definitely do it again!!!    

- Tony

..... the people on the  trip  were  great  and  its  a  good

way  to  do something for less fortunate  people.  The trip 

to the orphanage showed  how many people have much 

less than us.

- Marvin

I found my experience taking part in the build to be very rewarding.  The Paraguay Habitat people were great to work with, and the members of our group are a great bunch.  I hope to repeat this experience again, and I will other people I know to do the same.    

- Kevin

In closing..... I hope you enjoyed my efforts to encapsulate this adventure into something interesting or enlightening or even entertaining.

It was my first attempt at a project such as this and as such, now solicit you comments, critiques, applause, commendation or condemnation.

...should I continue with this format at my next adventure to Mozambique in August?

....encouragement  welcome!   :-)

Please, please, please.....send along a comment, either here, or to my facebook wall, or via e-mail [j.dan.garry@gmail.com]

I will look forward to hearing from you!

Dan [aka the blogmeister]