It's been a while.

I haven't posted in almost two months here because honestly, I didn't know what to write. Most of the cultural norms here now just seem "normal" to me, my work is coming to an end, and with the chilly winter weather, not much of anything was going on. REALLY. But now that I've resorted to my normal "I don't know what to write so I'll just post some pictures" play, I see that actually quite a lot has happened. So thanks, guilt-trippers, for encouraging me to reflect and see that things are always what they seem... especially when you're the one they're happening to.

I've been taking the Ahecha kids on fieldtrips to town to put up their photos for exhibition in different locations. Here we are in the National Bank (yes, my favorite place.)

In August, I took my last vacation days and went to Northeastern Argentina (never more than a swim across the river from Paraguay) with my friends Dan and Mike.

Iguazu Falls are spectacular. REALLY.

This was a beautiful year for Tajy (guarani), or Lapacho (spanish) trees. They flower pink or yellow, when nothing else is flowering in the middle of winter and really light up the landscape.

Here's another cool flowering tree we saw in Argentina, but I don't know what it's called.

"Crossing the border back into Paraguay for another 3 months of service after a solid week of good beer, pool, pizza, waterfalls, coffee, and good company in Argentina."

"Just 3 months to go!!"

Tajy. And the Bicentennial of Paraguay.

Imelda, Estela, me, and Carmen at a campo dance party.

Dedi and I in town.

On a visit (finally) to the Ybycui National Park, we found that it was the site of ironworks, some of the first in South America, for 3 years in the 1860s.

While the artifacts are so old, it's still amazing at how advanced the technology was/is!

National Park in my "backyard" - with real hiking trails and waterfalls you can swim in! Hope to make it back here a few more times before December...