Brains Blown Out  The Asuncion Roundhouse I was with a deputation in Paraguay on a mission to look at the railway, one of the few left that still used steam locomotives. I had a meeting with the vice-president mid-morning but with some time on my hands beforehand, I decided to check out the Roundhouse. There was only one small problem in the form of a very short, very young soldier with a very big gun. This 17-year-old lad didn't seem to pose too much of a problem until I went to walk past him. He stepped right in front of me and said something in Spanish. I understood no spanish. I showed him my camera and went to move forward and it was then that he put his rifle right up my nose. I backed off and held up my camera to take a picture of a steam engine simmering in the distance - my nose felt his rifle again. Trembling almost uncontrollably I went back to the hotel. Later that morning I went into my meeting and explained my experience. The vice-president laughed and told me to be in his office at seven o'clock the next morning when he would have someone take me in. I was there at the appointed time but was dismayed to find that the person appointed was a very small messenger boy who couldn't have been more than nine years old. We get to the roundhouse gate and the same soldier is there. There is some rapid fire Spanish and he leaps to attention and there is a big grin on his face. We get to the main guard house where there are half a dozen soldiers, all heavily armed. I smile at them and they seem friendly. Everything is now fine I get out my camera and start taking pictures. The soldiers help to point out some features and enjoy posing for me. What a relief Ottawa Valley Associated Railroaders Interchange May 2024 |
