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Monday, March 29, 2010

Becoming a “REAL” Volunteer

For two years I have claimed to be a Peace Corps Volunteer, and although its true, the reality of the situation is that I have it pretty easy here. Sure I wash my clothes by hand, walk or ride my bike everywhere and there is that whole live in a developing country where they don´t speak English element, but in Peace Corps terms I have a great life. I have internet in my house, even if it doesn´t always work, a fridge, which I use duct tape to keep closed, and of course running water and electricity. My town has two large supermarkets, lots of places to eat and even a few bars. So imagine my surprise when I had to “suffer” a bit.

The storms started a week ago Saturday and were heavy with rain and hail. It continued to rain off and on until Wednesday morning with a full 12 hours of downpour Tuesday. Its nice to get a good rain every once in awhile. You get to stay cozy in bed and skip anything planned for that day. Well this rain brought with it an extra surprise. It rained so much that the river where our water comes from overflowed its banks, flooding the pumping station and washing out the road to Villaricca.

Now although Villaricca is a nice town, my suffering did not result from the inability to access it for a few days. No, my suffering is a result of the flooded pumping station. It’s pretty ironic actually. It rained so much that we have been without running water since Wednesday, 6 days and counting. So now I have been forced to live like a “real” volunteer, pulling water from a well and bucket bathing.

Of course it hasn´t made my life too difficult seeing as the well is about 30 feet from my door, but it does make getting up for a run just a little bit harder knowing that I will not have a warm shower when I am done.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Where in the World is Melissa?

A vacation to Buenos Aires, Christmas and New Years in Paraguay, camps in Tati Jupi and Caacupe... its been months since she wrote a blog, where could Melissa have disappeared to? Perhaps she went native or maybe she was kidnapped by the EPP. Have no fear, it wasn't any of these. She merely hasn't had any motivation to write an interesting blog.

I am still here in good ole Paraguay working to develop the minds and skills of young people all over Coronel Oviedo. Its going so great here that I have decided to stay another year. I always thought that Peace Corps would be a two year commitment, however that was before I found out you can extend your service. Many of my friends have returned to the States over the past two years only to have difficulty finding work or funding for Grad School, so I have decided to stay here, where I have job security and a boyfriend. What more could a girl ask for? I am working to develop a project with the Municipality or Town Hall in which I will assist a new Youth and Sports Secretary to develop the position and projects that benefit youth in my city.

One more year, but have no fear, I will be home for a visit soon! The Peace Corps will be sending me on a month long vacation to visit my family probably in July so as not to miss the long awaited 50th Wedding Anniversary of Grandma and Grandpa Kohler!

I will update everyone when I have more info.