Possibly you now feel the same way as we felt some years ago, when we were still living in Germany. My wife and I were self-employed. We had to work quite hard to get on in the world. As free-lance workman and workwoman we had a great responsibility. It was necessary to labour more than the obligatory eight hours per day. And finally progressing: the revenue office and it's taxes ... . Besides, one starts to think: is this really the meaning of live? Luckily that we got the chance to produce a film about Paraguay in 1982. We became acquainted with that beautiful country, and later we could not let loose off it. In 1985 we emigrated to Paraguay. We are naturalised Paraguayans and feel comfortable. Surely, one has to lower one's sight and take in consideration that Paraguay is still a 3. world's country. On the other hand it offers a lot of advantages, too, and we personally think that these advantages exceed the drawbacks by far. Living here, we have got to know the meaning of freedom. In addition, and very important to us: Nature is still intact and there is verdure all over. Every person who is living a stressy life and dies of a heart attack - put the blame on yourself.

Those of you staying for the first time in Paraguay will be amazed without cease, even the short way from the Airport to Asunción, the capital. In case that you will find the time to sit for a while in one of the numerous sidewalk cafes or in an ice-cream parlor, you surely will get overwhelmed of what pours in. This is South America pure, with all its scents, its noise and its colorful scenery. There are news-men and shueblacks. Street-vendors are offering oranges, chewing-gums or car accessories and children intend to earn some money trying to clean windshields while cars are waiting at red traffic lights. The Maká-Indians are offering theirhome-made souvenirs, the men with their "exchange offices" in the street. The scenery in the capital consists of a big quantity of cars, crowds of people waiting for a bus, people balancing through every kind of goods like underwear, sweaters, t-shirts, pocket lamps, warning triangles, imitations of patented watches and sunglasses, which are presented on the sidewalk. Residents take note of all that bustle with an incredible calmness. But not only that typical South American hectic contributes to that incomparable character of the city. Not for nothing Asunción is called the "Garden City" of South America.

A multitude of flowers and plants are blooming in various parks and tropical gardens. The coexistence of the awfully expensive noble villas and ancient mansions next to the simple huts or plain Almacéns (corner shop) is impressing and surprising. Very impressive as well are some of the recently grown shopping centres which size and class are not often seen, not even in Germany. The city of contrasts where rich and poor are living next to each other. Where everybody takes some time for a chat. Where exuberant nature seems to handle stinking exhaust fumes of the rush-hour without worth mentioning difficulties.Contrasts become even bigger when travelling to the inner country. The farer you get away of the capital, the odder and more silent it becomes. Leaving the asphalt it is even possible that the next house, with thatched roof, appears only after miles. It is where the hens, horses and cows are crossing the path calmly, not to be irritated - not even by noisy honking. Withersoever you look are palms, red ground and the saturated and unforgettable green color which seems to have an addictive effect. Nearly everybody who stayed in Paraguay cannot let the country go afterwards. People normally realise that they fell in love with that country only when they are back in Europe, when daily life has begun again.

The South American firmament, the exciting bus trips, the hospitality, the laughing people, the easy living, the music and the churrasquerias (the Brazilian restaurants with their famous buffets with every kind of meat) are remembered very well. In grey November days at the latest.We are not that far from reality to claim that everything is always nice and easy here. Surely, there are adversities, too. There are, indeed, marvellous colibris, toucans and parrots, and sparrows like in Germany, friendly cuatis, cowboys sitting by the fire and a lot of sun. But where the sun is shining shadows are casted.First of all the big difference betwenn rich and poor. Further, corruption is still flourishing although authorities try to combat it. Well, getting into a police control while the car is not as it should be, the possibility to settle things right on the spot, for about 10$ (converted), is quite welcome and comfortable. Of course you will not get a receipt for the fine, because that payment disappears in the officer's pocket. It seems that Paraguayan democracy is accompanied by increasing criminality. Nevertheless, hundreds of Germans, Swiss, Austrians and Asiatic are still coming over and settle down every year. Most of them are particular people, small or medium sized enterprises or independent artisans who like to make a new start. Some of them because they are scared of the outbreak of war and some because they are simply unhappy and frustrated. In Paraguay the minimum wage is at only 250$ per month. This makes it nearly impossible for an European to subsist when working as an employee. Unless one gets the rare chance to labour for an international combine, a bank or tourism institution. They normally pay efficiency bonus. But without exaggerating it can be claimed: In spite of all contradictions and defects, Paraguay is one of the most preferred emigration countries in the world!