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Friday, December 11, 2009

A Long Walk

Paraguay is a predominantly Catholic country and like many other Catholic counties it has a Virgin. The Virgin of Caacupe.is venerated every eighth of December with a pilgrimage by thousands of Paraguayans who walk up to hundreds of kilometers from all over the country to see her. The Virgin is actually a small blond dollish statue that was carved hundreds of years ago by a Guarani Indian who was miraculously saved by praying to the Virgin Mary while being attacked by a neighboring tribe. The man actually carved two statues, the smaller of which is in Caacupe and the larger one is in neighboring Tobati. The pilgrimage to see the Virgin typically begins the first week in December and lasts until a few days after the eighth. People walk as little as a few kilometers up to hundreds, some walk for days while others dedicate just a few hours. Either way when you get to the Church the scene is incredible.

Last year was very hot and I had no interest in walking to see a statue and a church that I had already seen before, but this year something came over me and I decided to do the pilgrimage. I debated whether to walk with other Peace Corps volunteers or to go with one of the many Paraguayans who would be making the trip. After some time I came to the decision to do it with volunteers, however I still think it’d be a more “real” experience with Paraguayans. My friends were going to meet up at the tollbooth in a town on the Ruta called Ypacarai, which is on the other side of Caacupe from my town and therefore caused some difficulty in actually arriving at the starting point. Because there aren’t freeways or even various routes around the city Angelic and I were forced to get off our coach bus about 10 kilometers before Caacupe and take a local bus into town, where we then had to get off and take another local bus to get to Ypacarai. While waiting for the bus into Caacupe we were talking with agents from the transportation department who were checking to make sure the busses going into town were registered. Of course they couldn’t help themselves from hitting on the gringas. Luckily when I told them I already have a Paraguayito they focused all attention on Angelic who towers about a foot over the average Paraguayan. The trip, which typically takes about two hours wound up being about double that, but we finally made it and actually got there before most of the others.

Once everyone had arrived we set out at a pretty average walking speed. Ypacarai is located about 20 kilometers to the West of Caacupe and we were informed that it would take about 5 hours to complete the pilgrimage from there. We stopped after about an hour and a half for a quick dinner at a small hamburger joint started by Americans, then continued on towards the Mecca. At dinner one of the volunteers in the group announced that we were still quite far from Caacupe and we would not arrive in time for the midnight mass and serenade by another virgin statue that had traveled from my town for the event. At this half of our group decided to kick it up a notch, determined to make it in time for the mass. We ended up completing the trek in 3 and a half hours and arriving over an hour before the mass was to begin.

The scene in the centro of Caacupe was that of a street fair, complete with venders selling everything from t-shirts and knick-knack souvenirs to food and drinks. There were people everywhere. We made our way to the plaza located behind the church, laid out a blanket and laid down to take a nap. Afterwards we wandered around looking for t-shirts and checked everything out.

At midnight we made our way to the plaza in front of the church where the mass was to be held outside and projected onto big screens around the plaza. There were so many people it was hard to move. We found a place just behind a group of teenage boys who had ridden their bikes from Campo 9, about 150 kilometers to the east. They had flipped their bikes over to form a wall around their circle and were all fast asleep throughout the entire mass, which is okay seeing as masses were being held every couple of hours. The mass began with the priest talking about living in peace and harmony and some teenagers acted out a fight between fans of the two biggest rival soccer teams, Cero Porteno and Club Olimpia. It was definitely the first time I saw soccer brought into church, but I guess it works to send a message to the people.

After mass we climbed over sleeping people, pushed our way through those were standing and found our way back to the spot behind the church where two of our friends were still napping. After a short rest we decided to try and make our way back home. We walked to where the busses were passing. On the way I ran into my host family who had decided last minute to bus in. We also met up with some other volunteers who were arriving from their walk in. When we were ready to leave we had incredible luck and a bus headed to Coronel Oviedo passed right in front of us, it even had lots of open seats. We quickly boarded the bus, plopped down into some seats and closed our eyes, still exhausted from the walk. Because the main route was closed off for walkers the bus had to make its way through some poorly cobble-stoned streets to a place where busses were allowed to pass. Some women who had boarded the bus before us started arguing with the attendant who was collecting money. They were charging more than the normal fare and these women weren’t putting up with it. They got off the bus and we gladly paid the extra dollar, happy that there was a bus with comfy seats available at 2 am. About fifteen minutes later the bus driver decided we didn’t have enough passengers and proceeded to turn around in the middle of the narrow crowded street. We made another pass through town and the bus quickly filled up. We ended up getting home at about 5:30 am. A fellow volunteer, Lynn, came to crash at my place and as the sun came up we both fell fast asleep.

Completing a pilgrimage was definitely not on my list of things to accomplish in life, but I am certainly glad I did it! The scene in Caacupe is something that I will never forget!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Women in Paraguay

Some people are sports fanatics they get excited and emotional just when talking about their favorite team. I have this same passion, but rather than directing it at sports, my passion lies in the area of Rights for Women and Children. This of course explains why I am the President of the Gender and Development Committee for Peace Corps Paraguay and why my novio has to hear long drawn out speeches every time the topic comes up, which is a lot in this macho country. Novio calls out Feminism every time I start in on one of my rants, but I don´t think we´ve even started into feminism yet, we´ve merely scratched the surface of human rights in general.

A couple of weeks ago was on one of my tirades starting with the treatment of women in Paraguay, then on to the Americas in general. Women here, like in many countries, are expected to cook, clean, do the laundry and take care of the children. They are in charge of household chores while the men are responsible for working, which is fine and dandy if the woman actively decides that this is the roll she wants and together the couple decides to break up the responsibilities in this way, but that’s not the way it works, not here. Women are just expected to do these chores, even if they are working a full time job, and even if the husband works part-time or not at all. So why does this happen? Why don´t they stand up for themselves? Because if they don´t know it’s a problem, then how can they? That’s where people like me come in, people who believe in equality. I come and I tell them that they are being oppressed, that they need to stand up for themselves. And now they know it’s a problem. So now there is a problem. I created a problem. Not because it didn´t exist before, but because it wasn´t recognized as a problem before.

Now the question is how to create change. What can these women do to improve their situations? They can speak with their husbands, but that probably won´t do much, it might even make the situation worse. What they can do is raise their children to share in responsibilities, both the boys and the girls. They can teach their boys that cat calls are disrespectful and their girls to stand up for themselves. The women of this generation may not be able to shed the macho ways, but there is hope for the future. The government has created the Secretaria de La Mujer to try and create more equality and equity between the genders. They create awareness and aid women in the creation of women´s groups. There are also several NGOs that do the same. This is a huge step for women and I hope that some day they reach beyond the capital and into the rest of the country.

Luckily Novio is okay with my “feminist” rants. Later that same evening we got into a discussion about democracy versus dictatorship, but that’s an entire other blog entry to come later.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

A Volunteer Success Story I had to write about myself

Working as an Urban Youth Volunteer in Paraguay can include a wide range of activities and volunteer Melissa Salamon is completing her service in Coronel Oviedo using that mentality to positively affect local youth. From the very start of her service she formed a youth group at a community center comprised of kids ages eleven to fifteen. The kids were cautious at first; unsure of the new American with the funny accent, but after a year and a half working together they have formed a close-knit faction focused on improving their community center and the community that surrounds it.

 

Members of the youth group participate in activities relating to health, self-esteem and leadership skills as well as creating their own projects to improve the community center such as planting trees and obtaining trash cans from a local cooperative. Together members of the group have raised money to go on outings by hosting soccer tournaments and raffles. Their cohesion was exemplified after the recent passing of one member when together they presented the boy´s family a banner covered in messages they had written expressing their sorrow for the loss.

 

In addition to working with the youth group Ms. Salamon also teaches in local schools where many of the members attend classes. In the high school she presents activities related to self-esteem, communication, gender relations, and HIV/AIDS awareness. Teachers from the classes with which she works repeat the activities with youth in other local high schools, therefore reaching a larger audience. In the elementary school Melissa is teaching computer classes to children who had never seen or touched a computer before but are now able to manage several programs. Ms. Salamon also works with young mothers to promote healthier lifestyles through cooking classes focused on vegetarian and soy recipes, as well as an exercise group that meets three times per week. Although her activities are varied and wide-spread Melissa has positively impacted the lives of many youth in her area. Their appreciation is often demonstrated not only in words but through behavior changes which will hopefully stay with them forever.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Juggling

Living in a different culture, working with people who speak a different language and trying to maintain a somewhat normal life is a lot like juggling you start with one and then you can add another and then finally once you´ve got that down you add the third. Due to the instant immersion in Paraguay over a year and a half ago I was tossed the first ball right away and quickly adapted to living within the Paraguayan culture. One ball is easy so right away a second was added, the language. Now this took more practice, but I am constantly getting better and always learning more. I also added that third ball awhile back when I moved into my own casita and felt the relief of freedom. I no longer hide in my room watching movies trying to escape Spanish and Guarani speakers and the entire juggling art itself. Instead I made friends and have a boyfriend and often speak only in Spanish the majority of the time. I also get to do fun things like rock climbing and training for marathons. Now although I feel like I have gotten the hang of three balls and sometimes think they could label me an expert at juggling, there are times when I have a bad day and I can´t handle all three and I keep dropping one or another. Some days my Spanish goes down the drain or I feel like screaming at every Paraguayan who hoots and grunts at me and some days I just feel like crying. I am pretty sure this one happens when I drop the third ball. When I feel like it’s too much to have a life and work and speak a foreign language. But these things don’t go away. They just continue and although I just want to hide under the covers and spend the day crying, the students and their excitement when I walk into a classroom keep me going. The kids are the ones that force me to get my overemotional self out of the bed and into the classroom.

Just last week I had a real reason to cry. Not because I couldn´t go out and get a veggie burger or because I hate the men with their stupid cat calls. One of my students committed suicide. Wow, suicide. This was the third funeral I had to attend in Paraguay but it the only one that affected me in a huge way. Dani was a 14 year old boy who lived with his grandmother, a younger sister and countless other relatives. His mother left to work in Argentina about 6 years ago and hasn´t returned to visit her 5 kids in over 4 years. But Dani seemed to be getting along okay. He was not overly outgoing, but he participated regularly in youth group activities and often played soccer with the neighborhood boys. Just the day before his death we planted trees as a reforestation project and he helped. I have spent the last week wondering how such a young person could make this drastic decision. I know a lot of people think about it, they might even attempt it in a call for attention, but to actually go through with it is incredible. No one will ever know for sure why this young man took his own life, but I am sure that he had lots of friends and family that cared for him and he will be missed. This past Saturday with my youth group we conducted a memorial type service for Dani during which we wrote messages to both him and his family. We then took the messages over to his family. I know that they appreciated this act because when I ran by that afternoon it was displayed out in front of their house. Just knowing this makes me proud of my group and the effort they put into it, even though it may have been awkward.

After talking with the group about suicide I hope that if there are others who feel the same desperation they will come to me or tell someone. Sometimes we don´t see the warning signs, sometimes there aren´t any. Suicide is much more prevalent in Paraguay than I had presumed. It seems to happen more often among the rich than the poor and may be due to American and European influence in which one is pressured to succeed. I hope that this one was the only one I will experience in Paraguay and the rest of my life.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Spring is in the Air

The month of September has arrived and is passing quickly. It has brought with it wacky weather, lots of pollen and a rollercoaster of emotions. It has also brought with it the first day of spring and Día de la Juventud as well as the Olimpiada, a sports tournament for the different high schools around the city. Since my return to Paraguay I have been super busy (yay!) so here goes with some of those activities.

The first week of September was big here in Paraguay. The national soccer team qualified for the 2010 World Cup after winning two straight home games first against Bolivia and then a huge rivalry match against Argentina. The win was so great in fact that all public entities including schools and town halls were closed the following day to celebrate by order of the President.

 Also this month, well actually in August, another volunteer came to live in my town. Angalic is her name and she also happens to be from Ohio, even though she doesn´t like to admit it. It’s a little different to have another volunteer in town, especially after having the whole place to myself for so long. Luckily she´s super nice and seems as eager to work as I am!

This month on Rojapo Radio, yes I am a radio personality, we have been addressing sex, STDs and HIV/AIDS.  I find it amazing how openly I am able to talk about these topics when they are in a different language. I also hope to do some activities to talk about them in the high school and with my youth group in October. Sex and STDs tend to be a taboo topic that no one wants to address, especially parents, and when people do talk about them they end up doing boring presentations where the kids don´t pay any attention.

At the end of August I was also on local TV with Erin. We talked about what we do as Peace Corps volunteers, our goals and why we decided to join. We were super nervous. Talking on the radio has become pretty easy, but when you are on TV there are cameras in addition to the microphone. But it went well and I am still hearing from people how they saw me on TV.

So September is coming to an end with a bang. I will be in the capital this weekend for meetings Gender and Development, and NVAC, like student council. And I am deciding whether or not to stay for Reggae Fest!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

A Trip Home

When I got on the plane for Peace Corps Staging in February of last year I thought I would not see my family, friends and dog for at least the next two years and three months. Lucky for me Dad travels a lot and he had accumulated enough frequent flier to fly me home for a visit. I boarded a plane in Asuncion on Monday morning and arrived in Buenos Aires a couple of hours later. After a long layover in BA I got on an overnight flight to Atlanta. On  my flight to BA from Miami as I was about to start my PC service most of the service was conducted in Spanish and I could barely understand a word, on this flight I spent the entire time conversing in Spanish with an Argentine headed for LA. What a difference a year and a half makes!

After landing in Atlanta I was quickly overwhelmed with the hustle and bustle of the airport, but being the good American girl that I am I got right in line at the Starbucks to start putting my money back into the economy, or maybe it was because its been a really long time since I had a Skinny Vanilla Latte! On the flight from Atlanta to Cleveland I had the pleasure of meeting a group who was returning from some missionary work in Ecuador. It was great to meet people who took some from their lives to help others. Unfortunately I also felt like they were very self-righteous and self-deserving. I am sorry but just because you spent ten days in Ecuador doesn´t give you the right to be a bitch to the flight attendant.

Another thing I immediately noticed on my arrival into Cleveland was that most of the service people with whom I spoke were unfriendly and did not appear to be happy that they are not amongst the millions who have recently lost their jobs. This seemed to be a common theme during my trip, so much so that when I went to a CVS in Bloomington, Indiana around 11 pm and the girl was super-friendly I almost hugged her! But the lack of friendliness is probably my only complaint from my trip and luckily it didn´t seem to be highly contagious.

Tuesday night, the night of my arrival, was definitely an exciting time! After a great Mexican-American lunch with Dad, Erin, Lauren, and Andrew, and a pedicure at Ladies and Gentlemen, I met my nephew Alexander for the first time and then proceeded to give my mom a huge surprise! Both she and Audra had no idea I would be home. For the big surprise my sisters, aunts and grandma planned a Ladies´ night in. And while they were preparing dinner I rang the doorbell. After complaining that she had to get up to answer the door my mom got a shock and immediately started crying and I think within a few moments there were very few dry eyes in the house, maybe Jay and Andrew. Nick had the pleasure of driving Audra around for awhile making random excuses and not telling her where they were going before they arrived for her surprise. It all went really well and I am so thankful that no one spoiled the surprise.

The ten days that I was home flew by. Of course I wasn´t able to do everything that I would have liked, but I was able to do a lot! I was able to visit most everyone in the family and get to know Audrey and Alexander a little. I got to go to the Vintage Ohio Wine Festival and sample different wines from Ohio as well as eat some great fair good and buy gifts to take back to Paraguay. I saw my sister Lisa participate in a triathlon and then headed out to Bloomington, Indiana to check out Indiana University and try to start thinking about what I will be doing next year, as well as spend some QT with Dad. Audra and I went to Pickle Bill´s where I got to eat lake perch. Erin made an amazing salmon dinner. I met Lauren´s man. And I got to see an Indian´s game. Although there was little time for rest, I got in my fix of the USA.

I was also able to do some work while I was home. The third goal of Peace Corps is to broaden the understanding of foreign cultures at home. I took home with me many examples of traditional Paraguayan arts and culture. Including Ñanduti, Ao po´i, a hammock, filigrana jewelry and of course the unforgettable terere!

My trip home was wonderful and amazing, it helped me to understand what it is that I am missing, like my family and changes within it, and that most things really don’t change that much, it´ll all still be there when I get back. Thanks to everyone for a great time!


Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Winter Vacation Mania

Every July the Paraguayan school system shuts down for two week for the "Vacaciones de 15" or Winter vacation. Last year I used the time to present a Geography camp to kids in 1st thru 6th grade at the community center. This year I helped out at a camp for teens for a few days and then attended a three day workshop in the capital where I learned about Youth Employment and Youth Counseling. The workshop was very interesting and I came home with all kinds of ideas for great projects, except that actually getting someone to listen and go along with the projects now thats a challenge. I woke up last Monday morning with tons of ideas in my head, but when I took those ideas to the city officials they just kinda laughed and told me my ideas won't work or they've tried that before and it fell apart. The problem here is someone to keep the projects going. So here I am again with all kinds of ideas and nowhere to go with them... frustration!

So then comes the announcement that the two week vacation will be extended to three weeks. Three weeks! Three weeks with no classes to teach. Sounds like a nice break, except if you are someone who always has to be active. So just why did they extend the vacation? H1N1. Yes that nasty flu has made its way down south. Although up there you guys are not hearing about it so much anymore Paraguayans can't stop talking about it. Many people walk around the streets with surgical masks and Purell has finally found its way into the market. So now the kids are at home for a third week and so am I. It has given me a chance to clean up though! And also the opportunity to get some long runs in, yes thats right I will be running another race! A half marathon in Asuncion August 2nd! Its less than two weeks away...

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Random Thoughts

  • This week I have worn both thermal underwear and shorts and a tank... this weather is a bit crazy.
  • Why is it that every time I take out a book to read people think I am reading the Bible? Do I look religious or is the Bible the only publication worth buying in Paraguay?
  • Why do people become teachers if they don't want to teach?
  • You know its cold when the water coming from the faucet felt freezing yesterday, but its suddenly warm today.
  • Why is there no such thing as a direct response? Everyone always just talks in circles.
  • My youth group had a really successful soccer tournament last week, however the girls were in the kitchen making panchos while the boys played... they start young here. 
  • Why is PDA not only acceptable but encouraged while couples behind closed doors forbidden?

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Freezing in June...

So its been awhile, again. Its not that I don´t have anything going on and not that I have too much going on and no time. I just dont know what to write. I have been in Paraguay one year and four months now and I am in the middle of my service. I have been busy ever since school started but I still managed to take a vacation to Chile in May. Chile, lets start there. I love Santiago! It´s beautiful and clean! There isn´t trash everywhere and there are nice big sidewalks to walk on. I got to eat Dunkin Donuts and drink delicious wine. I absolutely loved it there! Then I came back to Paraguay where there is no Dunkin Donuts and delicious wine, but there the people here are soooo much nicer! People in Paraguay go out of their way to help when you´re in need. They make an effort to make everyone feel welcome. They are happy people! So although Chile is cleaner and has yummy food, I was happy to be home again.

In terms of work I am continuing to do much of what I was doing before. I am teaching computer classes in the elementary school and doing activities with the high school kids about self-esteem, values and life skills. I am now working with two youth groups at the community centers and we are trying to get a new women´s group going, since the last one fell apart. I also continue to lead an exercise group three days a week with a group of women and I am working with my neighbor on a World Map at the high school in her community. I have also been elected the President of the Gender and Development Committee which is a volunteer run comittee working to explore gender issues and promote gender equality in Paraguay. So its been a pretty busy time for me... Its also super cold here. While all of you up north are enjoying bbqs and pinics, I am bundled up in a scarf and gloves, even inside my house! I am also attempting to train for a half marathon in August... we´ll see how that goes! Wish me luck!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Flat Stanley








Flat Stanley
After a month long journey through the mail Flat Stanley came to visit me in Paraguay. Paraguay, where is that? It is in South America. A small land locked country about the same size as California. Paraguay has a population of about seven million inhabitants. They speak two languages here, Guaraní and Spanish, so it was a Little bit tough at first, but Flat Stanley managed just fine!

Because Paraguay is in the Southern Hemisphere Flat Stanley arrived at the beginning of the fall, which is actually more like summer. There are still days where the temperature gets to be over 100 degrees and it is usually sunny. Soon the weather will change though. It will be much cooler and rainy, with gray skies like Cleveland, but here there is no snow!

During his trip here Flat Stanley was able to hang out with kids at the community center for their group activities. He got to visit my old host family and play Uno with the kids. He went to school and participated in computer classes. And most importantly he got to hang out at home and drink tereré. Flat Stanley definitely enjoyed his trip to Paraguay, he enjoyed it so much that he just might stay around a bit longer!


Wednesday, April 1, 2009

The Itsy bitsy spider…

Friday night I was in Asuncion, it had been just under a week since I ran “La Carrera de La Mujer” (Women’s Race) at Nu Guasu Park in 100 degree heat and I decided to remind myself how much I actually love to run in that park when I am not feeling the effects of heat exhaustion. I went around 6 pm just as it was starting to get dark. The park is well lit with police and lots of evening runners. From my Ipod blared my newest running playlist as I began the 6k loop at a nice brisk pace. I was feeling pretty good, losing myself in my run, forgetting about the stress of the previous few weeks, when I looked down and noticed a not so itsy bitsy spider hanging out in the middle of the path. The tartantula was just chillin on the asphalt. I quickly veered to the right to avoid stepping on it and continued with my run. Wow, I thought, good thing I saw that before it was too late, and before I could finish my thought I saw another and a few meters later another. Before Friday night I had never seen a taratantula outside of a glass aquarium, but that evening I spent my run trying to dodge them! It was pretty amazing to see so many in one place out in the open. I am constantly being exposed to new things in Paraguay!

Things here have been super busy over the past few weeks. School started at the end of February. I am teaching in two different schools this year. At the elementary school I teach computer classes to kids in preschool to ninth grade. At the high school I am working with the Community Project Class to teach about Self-esteem, Values and Decision Making to seventh, eighth and ninth graders. Last week I hosted Long Field Practicum in my site. Three of the new trainees came to my town to observe my work and also present some activities as an introduction to life as a volunteer. They stayed with different host families in my town and were able to get a break from the monotony of trainee life. I really enjoyed having them visit. We were super busy, but had a lot of fun too! Having them here reminded me where I was a year ago. Its hard to believe I am already almost halfway through my service! The time is flying by. The new group swears in at the end of April on the same day that the old group swears out. I will be really sad to see the old group go, but I am going to meet up with some of my friends from that group in Mendoza and Santiago during the first week of May. Yea vacation!!! I am definitely ready for it!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Camps, camps and More Camps

February in Paraguay is time for camps. During the past two weeks I had the opportunity to attend three different camps each of which was unique. The first camp was held by the NGO with whom I work on their property. The kids came in groups according to ages and stayed for one night each. On day one they participated in fun camp games and a talent show. And on day two they got to go to a pool if it didn´t rain. For many of the younger kids it was their first opportunity to sleep away from home seeing as sleepovers aren´t nearly as popular here as in the states! The kids really seemed to enjoy themselves and will all have the opportunity to participate again next year.

The second camp was the Urban Youth Development Camp at Campamento Jack Norment in Caacupe. This one was like an American style camp with cabins named after states, a mess hall and a low ropes challenge course. I was able to take two kids with me to participate in the camp and they loved it so much they didn´t want to come back home. There was a pool with a diving board and the 15 year old girl I brought went swimming for the first time! During the day the kids participated in activities focused on improving their communication and teamwork skills as well as leadership abilities. They learned a ton and the kids can´t wait to do the activities again with our youth group.

The third camp was at the biological refuge Tati Jupi which is just north of the Itaipu Dam. It is set on a lake that was actually created by the dam. This camp was a little bit longer, three nights, and was planned by the Gender and Development comitee. I was a primary planner for the camp and am proud to say that it went great! I brought with me four teenagers who turned out to be really outgoing and even wanted to present activities on a regular basis. There were activities that focused on eliminating discrimination and learning about personal identity as well as civic responsibility. There was a teamwork/leadership ability contest in which they raced to complete activities and two trips to the Itaipu Dam. It was my first time seeing the dam and it is amazing. Itaipu is currently the largest dam in the world and produces the most electricity. It is one of the 7 modern wonders of the world and I am happy that I was able to see it!

So now that camps are over summer is coming to a close. School starts this week and with that I hope to have lots of work! Unfortunately the heat hasn´t let up at all... its still over 100 everyday! Yikes!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Its Been Awhile

So as the summer vacation comes to an end and I fill myself with anticipation for a super busy and hopefully very productive school year I realize that I have not written a post in some time. I have not melted away in the heat, I just don´t have much to report. The summer in Paraguay has been somewhat boring and monotonous. Nothing too exciting going on and when the newness of summer wore off so did my creative juices. Luckily this week the ball gets rolling again. I have two summer camps this week in two different cities. I will be taking a total of six kids to learn about leadership and teamwork as well as responsible citizenship. It will be a totally hectic, but hopefully very exciting week for the kids.

It has officially been one year since my arrival in Paraguay, crazy to think that I´ve already been here one year. In some ways it has flown by but in others it seemed to go so slow. I am looking forward to the next year and three months. I think that it will fly by. I also think that I will be able to accomplish a ton. Until next week... when I hope to have more to tell...

Thursday, January 8, 2009

How to Escape the Summer Heat... Paraguayan Style

It is HOT in Paraguay, we`re talking over 100 degrees almost every day of the week! Most people have fans, but when its this hot, they just blow around the hot air, yuck! So what do we do to escape the heat?! We sit around all day drinking Terere. What is terere you ask? Its a tea made from yerba maté. In Argentina they drink the hot variety called maté. We do that here too, when its cold out. But in the summer we try to make it as cold as possible. Now it sounds simple, we just brew some tea, ice it and drink it, right? Wrong! Tereré is highly ritualized and if you don´t do it right you usually just get laughed at, but there also might be some old timer who gets mad! In order to drink Tereré you must have the proper equipment. That includes a guampa, the cup which is traditionally made from a cow horn but now comes in the wood and metal varieties as well, a bombilla, a metal straw with a filter attached to the bottom, and a pitcher. The yerba maté comes in many varieties, some are flavored with stuff like mint and lemon others are just plain. The yerba is poured into the guampa and the bombilla is then insertered into the yerba. To prepare the water Paraguayans typically use water and ice and also add some yuyos. Yuyos? Thats Spanish for weeds, they put weeds in their water? Yep? Makes it taste yummy! Different weeds have different uses. Most are said to be some sort of natural remedy. The most common are mint and boldo which are said to reduce acid and aid in digestion. They are also very refreshing. So they ground up the yuyos and put them in the water with some ice. The water is poured into the guampa with the yerba and the first pour is soaked up by the yerba, they say this is Saint Christopher´s turn, I think. Once the water is soaked up the person serving pours some more in and hands it to the person to his or her right. That person drinks the tereré and then hands the guampa back to the person serving. The server is often the host or the youngest person in the group. Traditionally the guampa is only touched by the right hand. Only the server can touch the bombilla with his or her hand and the bombilla should never be touched by teeth while drinking. The order in which the guampa is passed to drink is always the same even as people may enter or leave the circle. The server will continue to serve to each individual until they say Gracias or the water runs out. Drinking tereré is a very ritualized and traditional Paraguayan custom, and is one of the best ways that a Peace Corps Volunteer can integrate into the community. Most Paraguayans have their own equipment and often will get a really nice set as a gift for graduation from college or from collegues. Its amazing the work that goes into drinking this tea, but it is definitely worth it! Its delicious!