An Update from Zorro

N is , I suppose , from what we would call a middle class family. She's the 15 yr old daughter of my friends R y A. Girls that age go out chaparoned and are never left alone , even in the house, with a male , except members of the family. I am slightly different in that I am foreign and the mother always tells her friends " Señor Zorro es un verdad Caballero Ingles" - A true english gentleman!!!! I wish!15yrs is the most important day for a girl here ¨¨18yrs for the boys. So Big party and the girl has a expensive made to measure white gown. It´s a contradiction here that young girls are so well protected or restricted if you like, yet women of all ages wear very revealing, plunging necklines and although some do wear quite short skirts the fashion is for very tight jeans or trousers.

From last year I have called N my sobrina and she calls me Tio alan. She is my niece and I am her uncle. So N & I CAN go off to the shopping mall for a dress, as a present from me, alone .....as long as I report to mama any male her daughter speaks to even to ask the time.. Not for the birthday party this is just a pressie. I am writing this just to describe the reaction of different people to us being out together.

The odd male American tourist looks at me with part envy and part God! He must be rich!
The young American women here working with the peace corp look at me with loathing .Despoiling a young girl. Taking advantage of poverty.

The Paraguayans on the other hand will say something along the lines of ...... your buying a present for your daughter.
No it is my niece.
Ah,you are a favourite uncle.You are very lucky.My daughters are 13 &11 years.
You then have to sympathise on how expensive it will be.

Goes without saying the dress is a strapless, ankle length that hugs the figure and all the shop assistants ask ME if I like it.