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Thursday, May 12, 2011

3 Years in Paraguay and I all I got was...

I have just over a week left in my Peace Corps service. In the three years, nearly four months I have spent in Paraguay, I have:

  • Gained a pretty good grasp of the Spanish language, Paraguayan style. I took my Spanish language exam on Tuesday and tested at the Advanced High level, the second highest. This makes me happy seeing as I came here knowing very little.
  • Survived for three years without a car or other motor vehicle.


  • Ran 1 Marathon, 1 Half Marathon, 2 10ks and lots of fun runs!


  • Conducted a weekly informational radio program first with Erin, then with Angelic, called Rojapo Radio (We Do Radio)
  • Got a grant to build a building


  • Created a new position at the local Municipality
  • Taught hundreds of students life skills and computer classes.
  • Started eating meat again, hey I see them on the street and I know what they eat. Much better than the factories in the states.
  • Survived without a washing machine or dryer.
  • Learned how to do Paraguayan crafts including Nanduti and Ao'poi

  • Learned to love terere.
  • Spent over 2 years with this wonderful guy without whom I never would have made it through.
  • Made lots of friendships that I will never forget





I am sure there are tons more to list, but this is what I came up with for now. Coming to the end of my service is one of the hardest things that I have ever had to deal with. When new Peace Corps volunteers start their training they are warned that it will be harder to leave than it was to come and this has become a reality for me. Leaving Paraguay, unsure of when I will be back and when I will see and talk to all the people I have formed relationships with over the past three years is heart wrenching, but has to be done. I will miss everyone and everything, but I will always hold on to my memories.