Who is the Wife? Contemplating Gender Roles in Rural Paraguay

Photo: Alexander De Luca

MatadorU tyro Megan Wood thinks about womens purposes whilst soaking her fiancs fighter shorts.

I listen to Blanca as well as Antonio upon the alternative side of the wall, murmur sham talk in their inland language of Guaran. My initial thoughts have been about how cold we am as well as Im somewhat irritated which we am watchful during 4:30 in the morning. Then we listen to the clap, Blancas initial customer of the day, wanting to buy flour prior to the object comes up. Soon, fume from the breakfast glow will fill Blancas house, as well as my inability to inhale will force me out of bed as well as in to the reality of vital in rural Paraguay.

I had arrived by let car to the village of Tavapy Dos,18 months ago with my American fianc Chester, my dog Killer, as well as the slight feeling of be scared underneath the surface. we wasnt sure what my brand new hold up would be like, though we knew it would include latrines, language barriers, as well as laughter. Killer jumped out of the car initial as well as was rught away welcomed with her initial dogfight.

My instincts told me to lift the alternative dog off immediately, though we knew she had to learn to urge herself. She was dominated fast as well as walked away with her tail in in between her legs; the usually thing hurt was her ego. She looked during me as if to say, Thats enough, have been we starting home now? Sorry Killer, this is our brand new home.

The author with her dog, Killer

Good afternoon Megan! Blanca called from her mark next to the fire. Antonio as well as Chester laugh. we grin as well as hurl my eyes internally, how many times would we listen to which joke? 6 o clock in the sunrise is frequency the afternoon.

I transport! past th em, creation my way to the outhouse in the corner of the yard, chickens as well as pigs scatter as we step around rejected bottles as well as piles of cow poop. we take the low breath as well as go in to the latrine, noting there is no hurl of toilet paper. we hatred regulating alternative peoples latrines. My own latrine, no problem, dual people make use of it as well as we clean it regularly; sharing the outhouse with eight alternative people is the foul business.

That taken caring of, we stick upon the others in the circle for the sunrise round of yerba mate. Whats the devise today? we ask Chester, yawning.

Im starting to encounter with the womens committee to talk about building the bureau for the tea business. Would you similar to to come? He replies.

Before we can burst during the opportunity, Blanca interjects, Doesnt Chester have unwashed clothes which need to be washed?

I tuck my tail in in between my legs as well as go in to the residence to accumulate up Chesters laundry.

I essentially dont know, we demur, sharpened daggers with my eyes during Chester. Blanca loves Chester similar to the son, as well as accordingly, me similar to the daughter in-law. American gender purposes as well as womens lib mean zero here.

Who is the wife? we know he has unwashed clothes. Blanca chides, with the lets-get-to-it tinge in her voice.

I tuck my tail in in between my legs as well as go in to the residence to accumulate up Chesters laundry. Blanca fills the bucket with soap as well as H2O whilst Chester lights the sunrise cigarette, the dual of them chatter in Guaran. Im not sure what theyre saying to any other, something about the weather.

Blanca is the kind of woman who is always talking, always in motion. If there is no conversation she simply narrates what she is you do as well as thinking. She is all the time working: running her store, milking cows, harsh corn. Currently she is scrubbing Chesters fighter shorts whilst concurrently revelation me ho! w fast C hester learned Guaran. we had since up upon reminding her which Chester arrived in the village the year prior to me.

She hands me his boxers to rinse as well as wring out prior to we cling to them to dry upon the barbwire fence. we look during Chester, as well as we suppose the universe where he as well as Antonio rinse my underwear whilst we fume by the fire.

Community Connection

Megan wrote this piece as an assignment for MatadorU. Learn more about the qualification of transport essay by becoming the tyro in Matadors New Media School.