Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Graduation (por fin)

4/15/2011

After returning from site visits on Monday April 11th, 2011 we received both good and bad news. The good news was despite her busy schedule, Paraguay’s Minister of Health really wanted to come to our swear-in ceremony to support us. The bad news was in order for her to make it the original hour of commencement of 10am would have to be moved up to 8am, thus resulting in us having to wake up at 5am to be picked up. Most of us weren’t happy in the least bit, but we forced smiles and mumbled celebratory remarks. Of course the rest of the week flew by! On Tuesday there was a brindis (a toast or small goodbye ceremony) held at the language center for our host families. Later that same day Rose and I also baked a cake to personally thank my host mom for being so kind to us both. Wednesday was our last day at the Centro with all the volunteers of G-35. It was a very relaxing day with a picture slideshow, traditional dancing, and an absolutely gorgeous live harp/guitar performance. Thursday morning, we visited the Peace Corps office in Asuncion once more for another tour (as a refresher). Upon returning in the afternoon, Rose and I made sure to stop by “Franshop” one last time before parting ways to pack. We made a plan to meet up again in a couple of hours to re-locate Rose’s maletas (suitcases) from her house to mine. SIDE NOTE: Rose’s host family turned out to be not-so- nice :/ so I offered to let her crash at my house Thursday night and she took me up on it :). I asked my host mother if she minded but of course she was ecstatic, “Now I have 2 daughters!” she exclaimed with a huge grin. Both Rose and I were grateful she didn’t disapprove of the new plan of course, but unfortunately because Paraguayans are such gossip folk, my host mother flat out refused to help us transport the suitcases. “Van a pensar los vecinos?”  (What will the neighbors think?) she asked, obviously concerned about what it would look like for us to be loading suitcases from another house into the back of her Volkswagon Golf. I was slightly irritated by this, but I understood. It’s possible she could have rejected our proposal altogether. So 1 block, 30 minutes, and 4 hefty suitcases later we made it back to my house sweaty yet relieved. And as a final thank you gift to my host mom, we offered to make a pizza for dinner later. Next we hit the house and peluqueria (hair salon) of a classmate to get a little something done to my hair lol. I got it washed and straightened for a steal but of course by the time we left it was raining and who was umbrella-less? You guessed it…me. Rose and I speed-walked as quickly as we could back to my house then started preparing dinner once we arrived. About two hours later, we were done eating and dressed/ready for bed. I voiced my ultimate “Buenes Noches” (Goodnight) to both of my host family members, then walked across the hall to my room where Rose and I talked until we fell asleep. Only a couple of hours later it felt like, we were up again. We got dressed, made-up our make-up, and did some last minute baggage arranging. My host mom wished us both “Suerte” and we skipped rocks all the way to the church. SIDE NOTE: Most streets in Paraguay (besides the rutas) are cobblestone, so when it rains especially there are literally mini pools of water every few steps. AND IN CASE YOUR FORGOT  FACT: Most Paraguayans have motos, so it’s really only Peace Corps volunteers who come across this problem. To avoid these mud puddles, the best solutions are to a.) try find dry land alongside the roads or b.) to be an olympic hurdler. Oh yeah….and NOT wear heels or shoes you care about. Rose and I usually come prepared but this of course was an exception since we were not informed what the schedule would be like exactly (what a surprise.. Peace Corps giving out minimal information, right?). Therefore we had no choice but to travel in our best clothes as we were simply told to dress to impress. Surprisingly, we made it to our designated meeting spot with minor grim and managed to arrive on time (Rose and I were both infamous for our tardiness lol). In the drizzling rain, all 23 members of both Education barrios (communities) waited huddled together for our ride. A little while later the bus drove up. Altogether we climbed on and found a seat despite the lack of energy due to restlessness; excited chatter began enseguida (immediately) and everyone perked up. Along the way, a member from Barrio Alegre announced that out of sheer boredom the week before, she and another volunteer decided to make superlatives for each of us. I was awarded “Most Likely to Do PR for a Modista; Pizza Guru” and Rose received a well-earned “PY Mom Survivor; Cheesiest Volunteer”. Not long after we arrived at the Peace Corps office where we met up with the Health volunteers and all secured our valuables in the office of the Health Director. Next, we went through a security check (metal detection), were divided into smaller groups of 6-7, and then guided into vans arranged into a linear formation. I later found out this was because any multiple vehicles destined for the U.S. Embassy must be bumper to bumper and no other can pass in between for further safety precautions. About 10 minutes later, we pulled up in front of the embajada (embassy) front lawn and hopped out. By this time, it was also pouring down rain and we all became even more anxious to get started (and eat). The rain fell harder, followed by thunder/lightning and in a matter of minutes we had all raised our right hands and were no longer trainees. Despite the hideous weather, (the first swear-in ceremony in Paraguayan Peace Corps history to take place during a harsh thunderstorm) we carried on celebrating into the adjacent room munching on hors d’oeuvres and eagerly eyeing the legendary chocolate cake whose presence was (accurately) foretold by volunteers before us. Congratulatory pronouncements were exchanged and pictures were snapped with one another, as well as, alongside both American and Paraguayan representatives whom held different positions in the Peace Corps organization. After savoring dessert, the party fizzled down and since it was still dreadful outside we were graciously given rides back to the PC office. Based upon further instructions, we were not permitted to retreat to our hotels until after both a cell phone and bank card were in our possession. Internet capability was optional, but most of us acquired USB sticks in addition. We received cell phones within the hour, but the bank representatives didn’t show until around lunch time. After emailing family back in the U.S., I had the grand idea to camp out in front of the administrative office and ended up being the first person to get my PY plata (money; silver).Naturally, Rose was second and afterwards we caught a ride on the bus with an older volunteer who happened to be staying in the same hotel as us. Shortly thereafter we checked into the retro “Hotel Zephir” where we became familiar with the moth ball perfume, ancient elevator, and a moody toilet. Nonetheless, Rose and I were content enough to be having  air conditioning, hot water, and cable for a couple of days, but we did end up switching rooms due to the lavatory issue. Did I mention complimentary breakfast was also included? And the concierge was kind enough to hold onto to our key for us when we stepped out since all come standard with an antique doorknob permanently attached (just another part of the Zephir 70’s experience lol). Listed below are a few golden nuggets of happiness Rose and I stumbled upon within our 4-day leisure leave:

--Mexican food (black refried beans, margaritas, cheese dip)      
--Movie Theater (We saw “No Strings Attached”)    
--Italian Gelato (aka better than ice cream…Corb would die!)
--ATM (most places don’t accept debit cards)             
--Sweet Green (aka Cesar Salad & Key Lime Cookies)
---Argentinean Humorist (also bartender at local pub)
--Falafels (with hummus; I’ve become a fan)  
--Flea Market (I bought a beautiful handmade purse)   
      
Sound like a fun-filled and appetizing weekend? Oh, it was. We commemorated the long awaited occasion differently each day because por fin (finally) WE ARE OFFICIAL PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS which was and still is the perfect cause for celebration. J

Lindsey & I (representing for Isla Pucu!)


                                         
   12 members of Barrio Lazarito

                                   
                                       Rose & myself eating THE chocolate cake
                                      
                                               @ the movies :)
Apple Pie A La Mode (gelato on top)
My new favorite cookies!
My Superlative hehe :)




Thursday, May 5, 2011

Guarambarepe'

4/9/2011

Rose, Rosa (host mom), myself & our cake

Flowers in my backyard












My last week in Guarambare I had mixed emotions.    I was excited to begin my new adventure as a volunteer in Isla Pucu and no longer be a trainee, yet I was sad to leave behind friends, teachers, and others who grew to care about me. For those who know me best, sometimes I have trouble putting my feelings into words, but I found this time to be an exception. While on an afternoon camanita (little walk) with Rose is when I first realized I felt this way. We were passing Don Alfredo, one of my friendly neighbors from across the street whom I came to know by his ambition to teach me some Guarani. “Hola Don Alfredo” I said. “Hola, de donde van?” (Where are you all going?) he asked. “ Vamos a un caminata, no mas”, (We’re only going on a little walk) I responded. Don Alfredo let out his jolly, booming laugh then pointed at Rose replying “Ah, porque ella es gorda, verdad?” (Oh, because she is fat, right?) ….Ok so a horrible start to my list of things I shall miss, I KNOW. Believe me I was equally as baffled as Rose because Don Alfredo himself is at least 12 months pregnant. “Why don’t you come along with us?” I wanted to ask lol, but I held my tongue. And most unfortunately for poor Rose she had to face this encounter many a time with her own host family, as well as, a few neighbors (she even told a lady off because she was so fed up once!) So to end things on such a sour note with Don Alfredo was most inopportune. In Rose’s defense though she is NOT fat by any means, her hips don’t lie that’s all :), and here curves aren’t as appreciated :/. In mention of my dear friend, I shall definitely miss her. Rose’s site is in a city called Pilar. I’ve heard it’s gorgeous and right on the border, take a ferry ride and you’re in Argentina…but it’s about 5 hours away from Isla Pucu. No longer will we be able to walk a block and hang out at my house, go get ice cream, or hit the Supermercado (grocery store) to buy ingredients for a homemade dish later. I’ll miss our post-class popcorn sessions, laughing together with/about our crazy host families, and of course receiving delicious free queso from the fabrica (factory; conveniently also were Rose lived). Speaking of host families, I shall miss my host mom and brother. My host brother was very shy at first, but he eventually came out of his shell some. Likewise, he was kind enough to allow me to use his laptop to Skype my family in the U.S. every Sunday. My host mother was very caring and knowledgeable. She could be a little pushy at times lol, but all in all she was very nice (she allowed me to hang a hammock in my room people!) I enjoyed joking with her most and savoring her creative vegetarian dishes. I will also miss our beautiful backyard overflowing with flowers and fruit trees with perfect view of the cancha (soccer field) on the other side (there were soccer games every SundayJ). Our language teachers Pabla, Silvia, and Patricia I will miss as well.  Not only were they amazing Spanish/Guarani teachers, they are also very kind, supportive, and loving people. I dreaded waking up so early, but I fell in love with their classes. If Peace Corps would allow me to pack one of them along in one of my suitcases, I would do it! And who could forget my favorite ice cream place, “Franshop”? I do believe they have the best dulce de leche (caramel) in PY! I was a weekly regular and each time the owner was so patient with my indecisiveness in regards to flavor selection. SIDE NOTE: I have a hard time making small decisions sometimes lol. A couple of times he even gave me a discount! I will miss all the animals that greeted us along the way to school each morning….goats, dogs, chickens, etc.  Specifically, I will miss the huge black/white dog that lived directly across the street from me. When I was bored, it was a very entertaining sight from my bedroom window watching it exercise back and forth outside its house. Near my house as well, I will miss my other neighbor Cristina who very much looked forward to chatting with me as did with her, along with her warm laughter. Furthermore, I will miss “Zoe Boutique” where I found a few much needed (stylish) warm clothes not too ridiculously priced. The young duena (owner) was also very kind (and patient) with me. I will miss the mini park in front of the Catholic igelsia (church) where it was so relaxing to sit to people watch during the day and enjoy the fountain at night. Lastly, I can’t say I’ll miss training itself exactly lol, but I will miss our trainers at the Peace Corps Centro (center) and catching up with my colleagues during our daily lunch gatherings. Guarambare was the first town to welcome us newbies of G-35 into Paraguay with open arms and for that it will forever hold a special place in my heart!
Best ice cream in Guarambare!


Friendly baby goat :)

Welcome sign at Centro

I knew it! My food schedule lol




Isla Pucu (Long Island)

4/6/2011

Our meeting site, CAFASA
My Site: Isla Pucu; My Department: Cordillera
All trainees look forward to and lose sleep over exactly 2 events: site assignments and swear-in. Most trainees began fretting about future site placements back during the Staging process in Miami, others more recently during training. Either way, I’m almost 90% sure every one of us has pondered the following feos (uglies) at some point... Ugly Question #1: Will I have hot water? (gasp) Uglier Question #2: Will I have electricity? (jaw drop) and the Ugliest Question of ALL: Will I have to live in the campo-campo?? (faint) On Tuesday April 29th, 2011, we finally received the answers to these questions. Por suerte, hardly any of us aregoing to the campo (countryside) of Paraguay, everyone has electricity, and most of us have hot water. Specifically, the name of my future site is  Isla Pucu, which is Jopara (mix of Spanish and Guarani) for “Long Island”. On April Fool’s Day (although this was no joke), we were divided into 2 large groups and Peace Corps drove us to another city relatively close to our sites to meet our “ community contacts” aka a Paraguayan local designated to look out for us and of course sign Peace Corps paperwork as needed. My group and I were sent to a place called “CAFASA”, a giant very casual yet very business-like two story lugar (location)containing several conference rooms, a cafeteria, and a spacious yard. We all dumped our stuff in a secured room and were each given name tags. About 20 minutes or so later, our contacts filed out of one of the conference rooms also wearing name tags, but with our pictures adhered. I found my picture attached to a woman named “Bernarda”. She is both the Apoyo (support) teacher and the librarian at Isla Pucu’s local “escuelita”(little school). Next, carts of juice, fruit, and tortillas were rolled out for breakfast and everyone chatted while they ate. It wouldn’t be Peace Corps-appropriate without a series of informative yet boring presentations, hence this is what followed. Lunch came soon after though, along with more presentations. The afternoon ended on a high note with you guessed it….more food. ;) On our way out the door, bags of bread, cake, juice boxes, and more fruit were handed to us. The other trainees and I collected our back-breaking bookbags, wished each other “Suerte” (good luck), then parted ways with our new contacts. From Asuncion (capital of PY), my site is about 2.5 hours away; however, from CAFASA, it’s only about 1.5 hours. Side Note: PC volunteers are generally placed in either “follow-up” or new sites. Both can have their ups and downs. For example: follow-up sites-welcoming smiles and less staring (up), more pressure to prove yourself (down); new sites- more staring, less accustomed (down), nobody to be compared to (up). I was placed in a follow-up site where I will be the 3rd volunteer. BTW:  It doesn’t matter how long ago a site had a PC volunteer, somebody always remembers something about them…..”Oh, he lived there”, “Yes, she had a dog”, “It’s true, he/she was very guapo/a (hardworking).” etc. Anyways, as added bonus to my sweet “Long Island” deal, I happened to be placed in the former site of the new Volunteer Coordinator, Lindsey. She of course is also a previous volunteer, but Peace Corps gave her the opportunity to stay and help out us Education folk for one more year. So not only did I have a personal escort during my site visit (she didn’t have to come but she did! ..super nice, right?), but now I have someone that can answer my questions directly and specifically (if necessary) who just so happens to work in the Peace Corps office :) Upon arrival in my new town, we stopped by Bernarda’s home to talk, drink terere’ (official drink of PY, like herbal iced tea) and eat roasted mani (peanuts) while waiting for Lida (Vice Principal of Escuelita) to come and meet us. Lida and her family consisting of 12 people were kind enough to take in a 13th (me) for a couple of days despite their lack of space and my peculiar food choices as a vegetarian. They also offered to allow me to stay with them for my first month in site (PC rule: once again we’re supposed to live with a host family for our first 3 months). Since Lindsey chose to accompany me, we had lunch together everyday at her old and my future home. I was fortunate for this because those lunches were only time I was able to eat foods with some nutritional value (Lida and her family ended up serving me cocido (tea with milk) for breakfast and dinner three days, as well as, chipa (famous Paraguayan corn bagel) and mandio chyryry (mandioca is like a long potato and “chyryry” is Guarani for fried) my last two days but only because I requested them :/. Lindsey (God bless her) drug me around all over the town introducing me to everyone she knew and showing me important places. By the end of the trip I was exhausted, but very grateful. I learned my site contains 4 schools:  Escuelita, Escuela Grande (big school), “Santa Lucia” (new school), and a colegio (high school). There are also: 2 comedores (soup kitchens), a group of Boy Scouts, a Radio Station, and plenty of people who want to learn English. Lindsey worked on a one-on-one basis tutoring 3 high schools students: Paola (17), David (16), and Lourdes (16) who were also her closest friends. We didn’t have much free time, but the minute we did I seized the opportunity to find out where the best heladeria (ice cream shop) was located. FACT: Ice cream is my stress-reliever here in PY! All in all it was a very exciting, event-filled trip and I really enjoyed it. I am very much looking forward to working and residing in Long Island, hey who wouldn’t? :)

In front of the Isla Pucu Welcome sign