R.U.S. alert!

Also, on my way to visit my PCV, Emily, in Guaira, we stopped off in Villarica and saw some...

RODENTS OF UNUSUAL SIZE!

a.k.a. capybara

It's official - one month in PY

It’s official. I have been living in Paraguay for one month.

Time is weird. In some ways it seems like I just got here. The days are so busy with studying Guarani and agriculture six days a week, navigating cultural differences in Spanish and Guarani, combating digestive issues, trying to meet up with friends before it gets dark without cell phones, greeting everyone you pass on the street (even if you’re running?), and basically trying to keep an American-type schedule when everyone here is on “tranquilopa” time. So in that way, the time’s a-flying.

In other ways, it’s really not. It seems like forever since I’ve seen my family and friends back home. I was feeling kinda sick and really down earlier this week (opened 2 of my 3 emergency letters from Ashleigh). Yes, that bad. My host family told me they notice I’ve been quieter and more pensive since I got back from the campo even…I think that things have just been weighing a little heavier on my mind as of late. The campo brought a little reality into my little PCT bubble – the reality that I am living in a developing country. The honeymoon period “opama” (is finished). It can be tough here, navigating relationships both within your own culture and within the Paraguayan culture. Sometimes I fall into this mindset that spending time with my American PCT friends is so much easier than stumbling through Jopara (Spanish/Guarani) and Paraguayan culture with my host family. But really, building new friendships with people from my own culture can be just as confusing sometimes…I think in part because of the weird phenomenon of spending so much time together…it feels like I’ve known my fellow Crop-ees much longer than a month. And yet…at the same time not really? If you’re still with me at this point, MAJOR PROPS a vos (to you).

But on the flipside, many people in my training group are also struggling in different ways right now, and we’re trying to support each other as best as we can. Getting sick, feeling stressed, getting bad news from home…each one is enough to make you groan and question a bit why you’re here, and a combination of two or three is even worse. Personally, I was really aching for a big Jenny/Nicole/Ameri-Hug (?) and a heart-to-heart with Ris. I think the most comforting thing in the world might be a conversation with people who really know you. And I think I have been taking that for granted.

I am feeling much better ahora/ko’agua (“now”). AND I have gotten a ton of mail the past few days, which has been wonderful. Thank you all so much for your letters; I can’t tell you enough how much they’ve helped me through this rough patch. Hopefully some of my own will arrive in the States one of these days. Also, I have been enjoying myself as well – don’t let me whine too much. I rounded up almost all of the Crop-ees and Beekeepers to come to the discoteca on Sunday night and it was a blast. Eighteen Americans out on the town? Yes, we were those guys. Also one morning this week we had a cooking session instead of language class. It was great! We made soy juice, soy empanadas, tortillas with beans, and American-style salad. This means that we didn’t shred all the veggies into tiny indecipherable pieces. Also, we added our leftover beans and apple slices. The Paraguayans thought we were crazy but it was well worth it. Haha. Last night, a few friends came over to my house and we watched The Office on my computer and chowed down on popcorn and Starbursts (gracias a TK). Actually, yesterday I felt like was one of the best days I have had in Paraguay as of yet. Just a normal day, but so many little things came together to make one great day. So I guess I may have had my low and my high in the same week even. CRAZY, no?

Oh, and my friend Amelia and I cut each other’s hair. I bet you didn’t know I was an amateur hairstylist. Well now you do.

So sorry if this entry is a little pesado (“heavy”). It’s been one of those kinds of weeks. Hopefully these photos will give you a more well-rounded look at what I’ve been up to –

Also, Happy Belated Birthday to Dad! I was sending you good wishes and juju all day.  Love you!

There are so many things going on right now I´m not sure what to write about, so bear with me if you would. First of all, congratualations to Tim and Michelle! Wish I could be there for your big day and I can´t wait to see pictures-videos.

Yesterday I made banana bread (in a cake pan but it WASN´T cake) with Amelia and Raquel and we ate it today during receso from Guarani class.

Last weekend I visited a current PCV named Emily out in the campo and had a wonderful-enlightening time. My Guarani has a long way to go. So do my latrine squatting skills. Also, I learned that only the most chuchi or "fancy" latrines have doors or curtains. I played a lot of futbol and volleyball with the younger girls of the village, which was especially fun because it didn´t involve needing to talk or listen too much. Emily though, is amazing at Guarani...I can only hope to be able to speak and understand it that well someday. She´s also only been in her site for a year at this point, but has undertaken so many projects already. It was really cool to see what her life was like day to day. We also cooked and ate some amazing food, a lot of which was right out of her garden. mmmmmmmm. Oh, and made soy milk and whole'wheat soy empanadas..- delicious! Oh fresh veggies how I missed you.

The stars out in the campo were AMAZING.

It took me nine hours to get to Emily´s site by bus. The last two hours consisted of standing up in a bus going about 15mph down a cratered dirt road. BUT - I got on the bus and the ticket guy knew my name. (Emily had advised him that I would be coming). Not too shabby, huh? I think we were probably only about 100 miles, maybe not even, from Guaramabare (where I live) as the crow flies. It sure makes you appreciate road systems in the U.S.

We are raising baby chicks for our tech training. They are adorable, but I already know that they will soon be super obnoxious and try to peck at my feet in a few weeks (because that is what the chicken at my house do while I´m eating dinner.)

Yesterday was our first Dia de Practica. It´s a morning where we go out into the community in pairs and just try to introduce ourselves to people and see if we can come hang with them at a later date. Mostly, it´s just SUPER AWKWARD. I will expound on this more later...but basically a lot of faltering Guarani and some totally blank stares. Also the classic question¨: do you have a boyfriend?

If NO: that´s ok, we will find you a nice Paraguayan boy who´s guapo (hardworking).

IF YES: that´s ok, we will still find you a nice guapo Paraguayan boy.

Ok, I think that´s enough rambling for now. G-ma, thank you so much for the card! Nicole thank you so much for the letter and seeds! We soaked them last night and planted them this morning...I cant wait til they sprout.

Love and miss you all. Tranquilopa mis amigos!

what a whirlwind

Friday, October 2, 2009

What a whirlwind the past week has been. Training is great so far, but we are just super busy every day. My Guarani is coming along slowly, but it’s pretty exciting even to just start incorporating some of the words and phrases I know into everyday conversation with my host family. It’s also nice because it’s not at all confusing for them for me to mix Spanish and Guarani because that’s exactly what they do (but with A LOT more Guarani.)

We’ve started our technical training as well with a soils of Paraguay class and the planting of our own class garden/test plot! So exciting . Many Crop Extension PCVs create this in their sites to demonstrate some of the techniques that they are trying to promote. We hoed up the plot ourselves, divided it into rows, decided how we wanted to use manure and mulch in certain areas, and planted a whole ton of stuff including mandioca, sesame, sunflowers, beans, watermelon, two kinds of squash, and more that I can’t remember right now. We also had the help of a current PCV who came to share her knowledge and tips with us. She was super nice and down-to-earth. She’s part of the G-25 group (I’m G-31) so she came two years ago and will be swearing out when we are swearing in . But still, awesome to see somebody so grounded and confident with her Guarani and ag knowledge…and still very “normal” after two years in the “campo”…hahaha…

On Tuesday I got to help make gnocchi for lunch – it was fun AND delicious. I guess they make it the 29th of every month and then we put money under our plates. You’re supposed to then save the money so that you will be prosperous in the future. Pretty cool. I had an American quarter and nickel under mine. 

Thankfully, I haven’t gotten sick yet, though it’s inevitable at some point. I would like to push that off for as long as possible.

I have heard people say that Catholicism is the national religion of Paraguay. I’ve heard others say that no, in reality, it’s fútbol. Me, I say that the national pastime of Paraguay is definitely conversation. From the time I get home from class at 5 until I go to bed usually around 10:30, I could definitely (and have definitely) just sit around the kitchen table and continuously just listen and chat with various family members who float in and out. It’s a little bit crazy for me to think about how much time they spend with each other, just talking…no TV, maybe a little radio, maybe a little máte (hot shared tea-like drink that I will explain later) or térere (similar idea but cold). And they never seem to run out of things to say either. And they’re always joking around…even when I don’t understand what’s going on, I find myself laughing even just at their facial expressions. It’s a pretty good time.

This weekend, my plans are doing laundry (not fun), going to the fútbol game (hopefully fun), and learning from my host father how to milk a cow (possibly fun and definitely interesting ).

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

So I have yet to milk a cow, but I did have quite a fun weekend. On Saturday night I went to Jenny’s host sister’s birthday party and then to the discoteca in Ypane with my host brothers. It was FANtastic!! Can’t wait to go back and bring some Peace Corps peeps as well.

Yesterday we had a technical training about beekeeping and got to go out to “work the bees” too. While bees are fascinating creatures and it was very interesting to learn about how the hive functions, I have to say…not really my thing. I was definitely more focused on hoping not to get stung than “admiring” the bagillion angry Africanized bees swarming around my face and body. Eeeek! Also it was about 95 degrees F plus those bee suits. But…definitely an experience. And I didn’t get stung after all, so that was definitely a plus. Haha. I would love to help make honey and other products from the beeswax, but not such a big fan of the little guys themselves. The great thing about bees in Paraguay though is that people here LOVE honey, and so if managed properly they can be a good source of supplementary income. Can’t wait to try me some tasty Paraguayan honey! (Maybe with some peanut butter if I can ever find it??)

Tomorrow is our big excursion/ secret mission to Asuncion (to learn how to get around a big bad city where maps simply don’t exist). I’m going a fellow Crop Extensionist named TK and this is how our mission reads:

The first part of your mission is to visit Mercado 4. Wander around the market (it’s big) and look for vendors of seeds and agricultural products. Specifically look for the staples (corn, wheat, soy, yerba, etc.) and cuts of meat and find the price of one kilogram of beef. Explore the area and experience the ambiance. Lastly, check out the price of a nice KISS, Motley Crew or Marilyn Manson t-shirt – or better yet – treat yourself to a new pair of flip-flops! If you happen to find a nice AC/DC shirt, buy it and bring it to your Tech Trainer. Size medium, black of course.

The second part of your mission is to go to Agro-Abasto. Find out if they sell broccoli seed and inquire about seeds for summer gardens and prices. What else do they sell that may be of use to a Peace Corps Volunteer and their community members?

Once you have read this, burn this piece of paper, read it again to make sure you’ve got it, and feed it to a street dog. Now burn the dog. Just kidding (about the dog, not the fire).

Lol. So you see that this is serious business.

(p.s. and don’t worry because by the time you read this I will already be at the Peace Corps office safe and sound  ).

Miss you all like whoa! Love, Amanda