Indiana University East

My first three days in Paraguay were spent in my favorite part of the country in a place called Villarrica. Villarrica has a way of surrounding a person’s heart and taking permanent residence there. The country is beautiful with the open air, plants and wildlife, and most importantly, the amazing people that make it so welcoming I have soon come to call it my Paraguayan home.

After having spent 3 weeks in Asunción, the capital city, attending classes for a total of 90 hours, I was very happy to be back in Villarrica once more. What can I say? I just never have been much of a city girl. The open air and sitting outside and soaking up the sun… walking down the rock paved streets to the park and watching the “gansas” (geese) and “parinchos” (native to South America) swimming in the lake… free to lay on the grass and watch the night stars from underneath the palm tree at Susi’s front door… I love that tree. Yes, this is the life for me!

Since returning to Villarrica, I was able to begin my research for the summer research grant I received in order to research the artforms of Paraguay. Susi, her boyfriend Diego, and I began our journey on Wednesday night and spent the first night in Ciudad del Este close to the borders of Brazil and Argentina. The city is crazy busy from early hours until around 3. There are a ton of stores and booths set up on the streets with barely enough walking room to maneuver from one to the other. Here, you can find anything you are looking for, or not looking for. The prices range from cheap to expensive and everything in between. It’s possible to find 4 stores side by side that all sell the exact same thing. Here, Susi bought a new camera to take pics on our journey around the country.

The next day, we packed up the truck again and headed to Argentina to see las Cataratas Iguazú (Iguazú waterfalls). Words cannot describe how awesome that experience was! They were huge and gorgeous and just completely amazing. We encountered people from all over the world here speaking many different languages. We even made friends with a couple from Israel who shared candy with us. The beautifully colored blue and yellow birds would swoop down to eat bread offered to them and the koati (local animal) walked along the railing of the walkways right alongside the tourists.

We began our venture through the forest trail and my first view of the waterfalls was from the top of the “Devil’s Throat.” It was huge! It had been rainy the previous day and that morning so it was a little dreary out to begin with, but once the sun poked through the clouds, the rainbows were gorgeous! We spent some time here taking pics and just soaking in the magnificence of nature. Then, we headed down, down, down to the bottom of the falls to get the view from below… again, I was awestricken. Even more fun, I paid 120,000 guaranie (approx. $24) to take a boat ride even closer to the falls. Just exactly how close did I get? Well, I got some awesome pics, and by the time I got back to shore, I was drenched. Yes, they took us underneath 2 of the falls. It was great!

Susi and Diego were pretty exhausted by this point and I was pumped with excitement and enthusiasm. (Last night, Susi said she had told Diego that she doesn’t know where I get my energy). We loaded the truck once more and made it to the missions and got a hotel for the night. The next morning we were planning to visit the Jesuit Ruins.

For those of you who don’t know me, I am currently a senior at IUE studying for 2 months in Paraguay in South America. Paraguay has an interesting cultural difference in comparison most of the world for one very important reason: there is a blended culture with both the Spanish and Guaraní (indigenous of the area) languages—both of which are officially classified as the official languages of the country.

During my stay here, the first question most people ask me is, “Why Paraguay?” (not to mention most people in the USA asked me “Where is that?”) To be perfectly honest, my initial decision to research the country was simply because I thought the proper pronunciation of the word “Paraguay” sounded cool. Sometimes the best outcomes come from crazy beginnings!

Continuing my desire to learn more about the country, I did a MySpace search for people living in Paraguay and quickly started communicating with a Paraguayan girl my own age, Susi, which soon turned into a friendship so close, we refer to each other as “hermanas” (sisters). Having never traveled on my own before, it was extremely comforting to have a friend waiting for me at the airport in Asunción, Paraguay.

Now that I have skimmed over the reasons why I am here, let me tell you a little about what exactly I have been doing.  For the first 3 days, I stayed with Susi at her house in Villarrica. I love it there!The people are so welcoming and encouraging, it is awesome.  We walked all around the town and I had my first taste of the Paraguayan ice cream.The milk here has a completely different flavor and this affects the tastes of many things including the ice cream.

During our walks, I was also introduced to this place where an old fountain is located. It is said that anyone who drinks from that fountain will always return to Villarrica. It is also a symbolic place for lovers to go. Had it not been for the warnings of unsanitary consequences, I totally would have drunk out of that fountain!

The Paraguayan food is another thing that is soooo awesome! Even if you don’t understand a word that is said in Paraguay, if you are ever anywhere near the country, you must buy some “chipa!” It is basically a type of cheesy bread but is not as simple to make as it sounds (I have tried a kind of US version that has proved to be really popular, but it is nowhere near as delicious “rica” as chipa paraguaya). It has a hard outer layer and resembles the appearance of a bagel with a warm, soft, gooey inner side. Just talking about it makes me want to go out and buy some more!

You know, that’s not a bad idea!

¡Hasta pronto!

Jacquelynn

SPAN S230 Don Quixote in Translation

SPAN S230 is one of the classes that we have been waiting to go on the class schedule since Spring semester. It’s finally up! (But we have to be quick about enrolling.)

Don Quixote was the founding work of modern Western literature. Written during the Spanish Golden Age, Don Quixote provides a frame for the tales of a chivalrous knight and the interesting characters he encounters during his quests. The first part of the novel is comic; the second part is more serious and philosophical.

Don Quixote is fueled by the heroic deeds of his readings. He decides to don some rusty armor and venture out to become a true knight and serve his ladylove, Doña Dulcinea. After a failed first attempt at adventure, Don Quixote convinces a farmer to accompany him on his travels as his squire.

When I first started studying Spanish, I thought my teacher was talking about a donkey named Hoté (I was 13, you’ll have to forgive me for being silly LOL). We didn’t read Don Quixote until 2 years later. This class is online, so you can enjoy the readings and class from home. As an added bonus, it’s taught in English.

You can use S230 to fulfill a language/culture requirement. It can also be applied to the Certificate in Hispanic Studies. The course will analyze the relationship of Don Quixote to the Renaissance, how the Spanish language was influenced with the publication of the novel, and the development of literature from Spain during the Spanish Golden Age.

For this course only, you will need to provide a signed ADD form to Student Records and they will enroll you. (They must have your signature to enroll you.) http://www.iue.edu/registrar/

If you have any questions, contact Professor Simon jjsimon@indiana.edu.

Dorothée

The Agenda will take place in ML 306, and will include elections of officers and academic year end business.

As the title says Welcome Back everyone! It’s the start of a new semester and the possibilities are already coming in like crazy. I hope everyone’s first week back was a good one, mine was. Although it was a little overwhelming looking at all the work coming up over the semester.

The first World Languages and Cultures Club meeting is coming up next Thursday, Jan 29, in Middlefork 306, I believe is the room. Hopefully you can make it! We are planning on discussing fundraisers and the opera in Bloomington and anything else that may come up.

I think that is all I have for now. So enjoy the things to come!

Beth

The WLC Club, Humanities Club, and Honors Club invite all students to the opera. Based upon Charles Perrault’s version of Cinderella, Massenet’s fairytale is a charming piece sung in French with English supertitles. In the French tradition, Cendrillon will incorporate three formal ballet scenes featuring dancers from the IU Ballet department.

Leaving campus at 2:30 p.m., we will drive together, eat dinner at a restaurant in downtown Bloomington, then attend the performance.

Opera tickets are only $14/person with student ID.

Reservations due by Feb. 4.

To secure a ticket, contact Professor Julien Simon jjsimon@iue.edu.

Hey Everyone!

Just wanted to say good luck on finals. Whether it be a language class, culture class or any other class, good luck and study hard. I know I will. Make sure you attend your exam jams if they’re offered, they help out a lot and you can get your last minute questions in. Make sure you have a little fun along the way and don’t get to stressed about it. Meditate, eat some chocolate, eat some ice cream, play some video games, listen to some music, whatever gets you to relax a little bit.

Best of Luck!

Beth a.k.a Catherine ou Elizabeth

I have to say that I’m very happy to have the Thanksgiving break arrive. I will still be on campus for the first part of the week. Work will proceed on homework and such. Plus, I’ll still be planning things for the students in the French language class. However, I will not have any meetings to attend. Youpi!
The Hispanic Heritage Celebration was a large project for us to start for this brand new WLC Club. Lots of things to do and only a few members to get everything accomplished.  After the initial shock of receiving the assignment (Comment?!), a pattern began to emerge. Tuesday and Thursday nights, we didn’t leave until very late. There was a hustle and bustle outside Dean Rivard’s office as we worked on our assignments together and separately.  Joyce O’Brien offered assistance and helped problem solve. (We haven’t been banished from the department, so I take that as a blessing.)

Our first speaker, Terrie Mello, Spanish translator for R.C.S., was suggested by Ranae Allen, Media Officer at Large. After that, Patrick Malloy, Spanish President, secured two more speakers: Dinora Uvalle-Vázquez, Director of Amigos, and Eva Jimenez, creator of the Corazón Latino Youth Group.  We had something to talk about, now we just needed to get the other tasks planned and executed.

Miranda Knight, WLCC Secretary, and Beth Crose, French Prime Minister, researched the financial planning for the event. After numerous revisions (and some suggestions from Dean Rivard), the budget was established.  Various members of WLCC and Professor Simon were able to get event sponsorship from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Multicultural Affairs Organization, Student Alumni Association, and Student Government Association. The Office of Admissions readied packets of information for the visiting students from Centerville High School.  Jama Crowe and the Adult Life Skills Students created the centerpieces and flowers for our tables; in addition, they were slated to help with set up and recycling efforts. Amanda Helton, Queen of the Constitutional Monarchy of France, and Ranae Allen coordinated the WLCC project with the RHS program. Professor Simon delivered the eco-friendly tableware and the documentary from Indianapolis.

In the foreign language classes, students invested lots of time on PowerPoint presentations and posters with beautiful themes and designs. Sadly, the moving wall was not very cooperative in keeping the posters mounted, and we had to continue devising unusual strategies to stabilize them. A favorite poster was displayed on the faculty advisor’s door throughout the week.

WLCC borrowed coolers from Campus Life, coffee pots from the University, ice from Joe’s Pizza, plus napkins from the Student Alumni Association.  An IU East student catered our lunch from Reid. Kerissa McComb assisted with the service and seating. After the celebration was underway, I discovered that the event was more than just a handful of WLCC members. WLCC, with their empty pot, had made a stone soup from the creative efforts and resources of the campus and the community. Nous vous prions d’accepter nos plus sincères remerciements. (Many thanks to all of the sponsors and contributors.) C’est enfin (at last), my belly is full of delicious soup and I’m ready to sleep.

Dorothée, la Présidente française

Last night WLCC along with the Honors Club, and Humanities Club went to Hansel & Gretel at Butler University’s Clowes Auditorium. We began the evening at the Brugge’s Brasserie where we ate a delicious Belgian meal. A few of us tasted “the triple beer” which contains so much alcohol that each customer can only have two. All of the beers they serve are brewed on site. I am not a big beer person but their beer was really good. I tasted one that had a fruity flavor. I hadn’t drank a beer with a fruitiness to it before. The food was incredible!!! I ordered the 2 pounds of seasoned mussels with frites (french fries), a choice of two sauces. Dorotha ordered crepes (I’m sorry, I can’t remember the flavor). Four of us ordered the steak with frites. Those sauces were beyond incredible! I want to go back there just for the sauces and frites not to mention the rest of the food which was exceptional!!!
Hansel & Gretel was a bit of a disappointment. I don’t know why, but I expected more than just singing a bit of dancing. As I am sitting here thinking back on the performance, I can’t point out where I lost interest in it. I think it was right before the first intermission. What was I expecting? It is Hansel & Gretel the childhood fairytale I have read for years. Did I expect the story to suddenly change? Or was I expecting a darker version which would be more action packed instead of the light-hearted version we watched. Overall, it was a good opera. The actors have exceptional voices. Another possiblity could be the language it was sung in. German. I am used to Italian. Or maybe I’m just trying to make up an excuse for my distaste of this version. I really do not know. The set designers need a huge pat on the back for their work. The set designs were beautifully done. The sets were drawings almost as if a very talented child drew this opera. The glowing eyes of the witch!! The glowing angel. The music was beautiful and relaxing. That could be why I didn’t like it. It was too relaxing. The music reminded me of the music I used to play for my classroom of toddlers in the CDC. I recommend anyone to see the opera…..maybe not this one.