ASUNCION, Paraguay — A U.S. ambassador is ending his 38-year diplomatic career with a song — recording a music CD in the Guarani language that has made him a Paraguayan recording star.
James Cason said Friday that he has sold about 2,000 copies of his record “Campo Jurado” — “Field of Promises” — using the proceeds to finance scholarships for Paraguayan youths to learn English.
Few foreigners have ever bothered to learn Guarani, an indigenous language little used outside the landlocked South American country, and Cason’s recording drew heavy attention from the local news media. Local radio stations took to playing it. A performance was posted on YouTube.
Cason said he has enjoyed Paraguay, and would take off Saturday with a song in Guarani.
“Tomorrow morning when I leave, I’m going to sing ‘Goodbye, My Favorite Place.’ “
