"THE ACACIAS" "Are you Ruben?" "Mr. Fernando sent me." "The baby's yours?" "Yes, she's my daughter." "Fernando didn't mention a baby." "I told Mr. Fernando I was traveling with my daughter." " Do you have all your papers?" " Yes." "Here you are..." "THANKS FOR VISITING PARAGUAY" "You have to cross alone." "It's that way." "Should I wait for you on the other side?" "Push down." " Hello." " Good morning." " Where are you heading for?" " To Buenos Aires." " What are you carrying?" " Lumber..." "Truck's technical verification papers, please." "Let's go, we're moving..." "I'm coming from Paraguay." " Where are you going?" " To Buenos Aires." "For what?" "To visit my cousin." "Documents." "Travel permit from the father?" "She has no father." "That's my last name." "sYou know you can only stay for 90 days, right?" "Then you have to come back." "You and the baby girl." " Done?" " Done." "Have a nice day." "No, thanks." "Thanks." "She's hungry." "She's hungry." "I need to warm up her bottle." "I'll be right back." "How much do I owe you?" "Five pesos." "Give me mate... some crackers." "Ah, and a bottle of water." " Large?" " Yes, with gas." "Do you sell bus tickets here?" "Yes." "How much to Buenos Aires?" "One hundred and eighty." "Babies pay?" "No, as long as they don't occupy a seat." "They only pay insurance." "When does the bus leave?" "At eight, nine maybe..." "Today's bus already left." "It would have to be for tomorrow." "How much for these?" "Fifteen." "Two empanadas with bread, please." "How do you know Fernando?" "My mother works in his house." "And you?" "I work for him." "Mate?" "Yes." "What are you going to Buenos Aires for?" "To work." "Doing what?" "My cousin is looking for something." "What's your name?" "Jacinta... and she's Anahi." "Easy, my daughter..." "Easy, easy..." "No, not in your mouth, my daughter." "That's of the gentleman." "It's fine..." "if that keeps her from crying." "Do you have a family?" "No." "I have a son." "Are you going into town?" "Yes." "I have to drop something off." "I'll be right back." " She's not home." " Who?" "My sister." "Did she know you were coming?" "No." "I will leave it with the neighbor." " Is it a gift?" " Yes." "It's a birthday present." "Is it today?" "No, it was two months ago." "I'm in no hurry." "How old is she?" "Five months." "Do you like dogs?" "Yes, very much." "Did you have a dog back there?" "Yes, I left him with my mother." "What's his name?" "Donky." "My sister asked me if I was the father." "She has no father." "Ruben!" "You are falling asleep!" "You are falling asleep!" "No, no." "Would you like some water?" "No, no." "Some Mate?" "No, no." "Why don't we stop?" "It's about time, right?" "Farther on, there's a place..." "We'll stop there." "Don't worry." "It's o'k." "I've been driving for 30 years." "I've never fallen asleep." "So, don't worry..." "Ruben..." "I'll see if there is a phone to call my mother." "I'll go with you." " Don't bother." "Do you want me to hold the baby?" "I'll look after her." "What time is it?" "I overslept!" "She needs to be changed." "Powerful singer, hu?" ""Nice bath"..." ""There!" "You're already ready" "now to change the blouse, then the bootees, then the baby trousers"." "Let's get you changed, make you all pretty, to arrive in Buenos Aires." "Shall we go?" "We go." "Is it hard to speak Guarani?" "No, it is easy." " How do you say "truck driver"?" " "Truck driver"." "It's really easy!" "Some words just don't exist in Guarani." "You could say "mba'erungu mbuataha"." "What?" ""mba'erungu mbuataha"." "Is she asleep?" " "Oke"." " What?" ""Oke"." " What's that?" " She's sleeping." "What about your son?" "He is in Mendoza now." "His name is Ruben, like me." "I first met him when he turned four." "I gave him a bicycle that day." "He kept staring at it." "He stared at the bike and at me, back and forth." "And then he asked:" "is it for me?" "His eyes were this big." "It's been a long time since I've seen him." "How long?" "Eight years." "Hello." "May we...?" "Sure, go ahead." "The other day I had an accident you won't believe me." " Wan't me to cut it for you?" " OK." "I fell asleep at the wheel and suddenly I ran into a whole vegetable stand and everything flew all over the place." "I was really scared and said: "ana membypeguare!"" "and the windshield was completely red." "I was scared to death that I had killed somebody but no, it turned out to be only watermelons." "Can I get you anything else?" " No, thanks." " Nice baby." " What's her name?" " Anahi." " Where are you coming from?" " Paraguay." " Does she like riding in the truck?" " Yes." " Can I get you anything else?" " No, no, thanks." " So, you are from Paraguay?" " Yes." " Where from?" " Aregua." " I'm from Luque." " Really?" " We're neighbors." " Yes." "Are you Paraguayan too?" "No." " So, you're heading for Buenos Aires?" " Yes." "Fuck!" "We are near right?" "Yes... this is the access to Buenos Aires." "How long to get there?" "An hour and a half... maybe two." "Are you feeling well?" "Yeah, sure." "Anything wrong?" "No, no." "Are you stopping?" "I have to stop for a moment." " Everything OK?" " Yes..." "Where do you want me to drop you off?" "Wherever is best for you." "I have to call my cousin." "There's a phone over there." "It's o'k." "Do you want to leave her with me?" "Yes." "Is it this street?" "Yes, this is it." "It's over there." "They are here!" "My cousin!" "how you've grown!" " How are you doing?" " Fine, fine." "Let me get the bags." " Sure." " How was the trip?" "It was good, very good." "Nice to meet you." " Would you like to come in?" " No, thanks." "I'm running late." "OK." "I'll take the bags inside." " Hello." " Hello." " How was the trip?" " Fine, how are you?" "Thanks for the ride." "It was a very nice trip." "Well, you know I go to Paraguay often so... if you ever need anything." "Just that." "OK." "Wait a minute." "This is a present for Anahi." "Please give it to her from me." "Is that OK with you?" "OK, I'll give it to her." "OK well." "I'm going to get going." "Bye." "Bye." " Jacinta..." " Yes?" "Next week, I'm going to Catamarca." "Well, I was thinking..." "I thought that... that maybe..." "There are beautiful scenaries... and well..." "I was thinking I'd like you to come with me." "With Anahi, of course." " Maybe..." " Yes?" " You know where I live." " Yes..." "Agreed?" " Bye." " Bye." "See you." "Yes." "Text and timing corrections:" "Asen Zlatarev and John Atanasov"