Most accounts of the "culture clash" of the European Colonialists and the South American indigenous population follow a similar pattern: some encounters were friendly, most were violent. The indigenous people were enslaved, killed, or driven off their lands; their religious beliefs and traditions forcibly replaced by Catholicism, their artwork melted down for its gold content. Where the direct actions of the colonialists did not lead to their demise, imported illnesses did.
The Jesuit Missions are testimony to an alternative: a fusion of cultures instead of confrontation. The indigenous Guaranis lived together with Jesuit priests in the missions - in a strictly organised society, based on division of labour in agriculture and workshops. But the Guaranis were artistic people, too: The huge churches were richly ornamented in 'Guarani Baroque' and music played an important role in the missions.But not everyone admired the Jesuit's success. Slavehunters regularly attacked the missions and intrigues were brought against the Jesuits. Before long, the Jesuits were expelled from South America by the Spanish and Portuguese kings.
During our South American journey, we planned to visit our friend Nico who lives in Montevideo, Uruguay. We announced our intention to visit soon after we started our trip (June 2009). But our timing is quite unpredictable, and after a few months, Nico was already wondering if we were still heading his way at all. But we finally make it to Montevideo in February 2010 - two weeks before Nico and his family are moving to Asuncion, Paraguay.
