Later that month, I met up with a bunch of my friends for a Paul Van Dyke concert in Asuncion. He’s an electronic DJ and it was quite the concert! I had a really good time and it’s always nice to see and catch up with all the G mates! Here’s some pictures!
At the end of March I got to celebrate my second Semana Santa in Paraguay! Only this time I got to spend it with my neighbors in site. Semana Santa refers to the catholic Holy Week, one of the biggest holidays recognized in Paraguay and throughout South America really. One of their traditions is the making of the CHIPA. Chipa is, what I like to compare it to, a cheesy madioca and corn flour bagel. A little difficult to describe but its the Semana Santa staple. Although technically they are supposed to fast the (days), they allow eating chipa so a TON of it is made. This is not a hyperbole people. Chipa is made from eggs, pig fat, cheese, madiocca (yucca) flour, corn flour, milk, and little salt, then rolled into a round bagel form. In the end, this whole “fast” things honestly never happens because taking away meat from the diet during a time when everyone is on vacation is more of a sin than anything! ;) Anyways, Semana Santa is really a chance to see and spend time with family and eat your stomach out. Here’s some more pictures of my Chipa-makin’ skills with my neighbors.
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| My neighbors Juliana & Maida mixing the chipa batter |
APRIL:
So this is when things started really picking up in site. I started two new projects in the high school, a World Map Project and a program called “Como Planear Mi Vida” which translates to “How to plan my life”. The first project involves raising money with the students of 11th grade in order to cover one of the outside walls of the high school with cement (making a flat surface) and painting a large world map. Every year the HS students are required to carry out a project of some kind. Most of the time it is something to improve the school like an outside bench area to sit on, maybe a new bathroom, or even new books. Since, I am working with my contact, who is a Arts teacher, I have also decided to use this opportunity to didactically share cultures from around the world through utilizing a large visual aid, the World Map. It’s really crazy how unaware most kids from the companias in Paraguay are about where they lie in the world and what is around them. I can’t tell you how many times I have been told that England is connected to the States.
The plan is to first get the map painted (which is still in progress) and then I plan to come in weekly and having a day to learn about diferent regions of the world. I want to show them all aspects of culture from these places like food, dance, music, language, traditions, art, and costumes. I think the kids are really going to enjoy it. I’ll keep updates with this!
The second project is a series of charlas (presentations) that focus on teaching HS kids how to improve their communication skills, highten their understanding of their changing bodies which leads into sexual education, to learn more about how to prepare for college or a professional trade, and finally how to plan for a family. Utilized throughout Peace Corps posts worldwide, it has shown to help adolecentes in realizing their potential, focusing their interests into goals, and helping to prepare them for desirable futures.
Finally, I have also began the beginnings of developing a library within the two schools. Low literacy rates and interest levels in reading is a large issue throughout rural áreas in Paraguay. After discussing this with the principal of the elementary school he offered up the idea of reinnovating one of the empty and unused classrooms into a library. I obviously was thrilled with the idea. We currently are in the procces of replacing the electricity, getting proper security features, and “pretty-ing it up! I’ve already sent a Darien’s Book Aid (an organization that sends a box of free books to Peace Corps volunteers trying to improve literacy around the world) request so we are waiting on those books to come. Obviously a single box won’t fill up the library but it is a good start!
Sooooo….if you're reading this and are at all interested in helping out! Let me know! Donated books and funds are very much appreciated since building a library in Paraguay is unfortunately a spendy and unprioritized expediture. Below is a picture of what my library looks like right now.
As you can see...I got some books missing! HELP ME :)
Next stop was during the second weekend of April when I went to my second concert in Paraguay! This time is was sort of a festival where three artists came to the Boardwalk (River) of the Asuncion: Sean Paul, Taio Cruz, and Martin Sloveig. It was absolutely amazing! So fun much! I even got to zip-line across the audience when Sean Paul was singing! Incredible! Here’s some pics!
Last little tid bit for April was my 1 year anniversary in site! CRAZY RIGHT!!! I have been here for so long! However, sometimes it really doesn’t feel like it at all. Before leaving for the Peace Corps you mentally picture the reality of what 27 months might be to you. You think well that’s basically over half the amount of time i spent in college! “I’M GONNA BE THERE FOREVER!” I’d say to myself. You know…totally confident in my committment skills obviously ;) But the real reality of it all is that when you actually get into your site after training, you begin to make it home and the things you do become so habitual that you sort of forget about the distance you are away from home and your COS (Close of Service) date. Time goes by just as fast as it would if you were doing whatever you would be doing if it weren’t for your Peace Corps service. So what I’m trying to get at is once big landmarks come around you think about how short this journey really is in the broad spectrum of things. To move somewhere else completely different and start a new life in 27 months is actually surprisingly one hell of a fleeting opportunity. My life here has been ups and downs, happy go lucky and also some of the most lonely and sad days of my life. I’d like to think I knew perfectly well what I was getting into so that I can confidently say that whatever comes my way from here on out is something I must deal with since I committed to it; however, we almost never know beforehand, yet that’s the toughest/mysterious part about this whole journey. It’s about being content with the fact that you can’t have expectations, handling anything that comes your way eventually, while recognizing and enjoying the positive side. With that said, I have about 10 months to go and although I’ve had my moments of discouragement, I will finish it. As my lovely father always says, “Gutters never quit and Quiters never gut”. Thanks pops…as annoying as it was and is to hear it…I’d like to think I’m learning the meaning of it everyday here.
So in celebration of my first year in site, the elementary school staff and students put on one of the cutest little presentations for me. It honestly was one of the best feelings I have ever had in site. It really made me feel recognized and special, like they really enjoy and appreciate my work and life here. They made some great speeches about how much they enjoy Peace Corps and how much they appreciate the work I’ve done in the community and in the school. After dancing, singing, and reciting poems they presented me with a certificate of appreciation. Below are some great pictures.
MAY-JUNE:
May was a crazy month. It began with a Library workshop which was super helpful too. I actually won a bunch of Spanish books to put in my library as well from the raffle they had. So know I have a little bit to start off with. I’m also thinking about and have talked with a few teachers about coming into the elementary classrooms to read aloud books to the kids to promote interest in reading so that when my library is actually functioning I can have people who are already interested who want to come in and hang out.
That same weekend was 5 de Mayo so of course I came into Asuncion to meet up with all the Americanos! We went to a restaurant called BOLSI BAR which is actually owned by a paraguayan who always goes to the states to get more menú ideas and he speaks English really well. He always tried to have a little party for the favorite American occasions too. It was a great time as always! Pics below!
After that was our Mid-Service Training. We had our year-in medical exam with a dentist visit. Perfect teeth! Which was actually surprising haha! We also had a little Guarani language pick-up that only made me feel more bad about how little Guarani I can speak. The thing is I can understand and grasp most of the idea of conversations but at this point I just speak in Spanish because it is easier. Oh well, I guess if I haven’t perfected it by now and I’ll never use it afterwards, I’m not really gonna get on myself to hard about it.
Towards the end of May I went to visit my friend Kelley for her birthday in site. It was really fun since I really love her host family out there. I tend to head her way when I’m not loving my site so much so I’m pretty well known haha. We danced and had a good time with her paraguayan friends and family. Always a good time.
Best part of this month is that on the 29th I went home for a visit for two weeks!!! I had SO MUCH FUN! Didn’t really sleep too much but that was because I wanted to see everyone and do everything lol. I got to head down to my houseboat on Lake Shasta with my best friend Kylie, Dad, Stepmom, and brother’s for a few days before I headed back to good ole Medford. GREAT TRIP!
I had a really great dinner with the whole Batzer side of my family when I got back too. So amazing to see and catch up with everyone! Thanks everyone for coming! Love you! After that I took a day to float the Rogue with my mom. So relaxing and beautiful. I will always love how amazing Southern Oregon is. West Coast is the best coast! It will always be home. After Medford, I headed north to watch my baby sister Cody graduate from high school! I’m so happy I got to come back and see her walk across the stage, wouldn’t of missed it for anything! CONGRATS, LOVE YOU SISSY!
Next stop: Portlandia! My mom and sister came up with me and stayed for the weekend! We shopped, went to the zoo, ate amazing food, and got to hang out. It was really great to be with them again just the three of us. After that, I had about two days of hanging out with my best friends in Ptown until my dad and stepmom came up for the remainder of my stay. We went to a Timber’s game, went white water rafting, and also ate amazing food. Time obviously flew by and before I knew it I was on my way back to the airport, crying and saying goodbye. L
I had an amazing and epic time with everyone I saw. So glad I made the trip! Thanks to everyone who made it possible too!
Returning back to Paraguay was bittersweet and pretty hard. I immediately missed all my friends and family. However, I got to reunite with close contacts and friends in site so that made the transition easier. I also was informed that I would be receiving my grant money for the fogons at the end of July! Just recently, I finalized the workshop I will be putting on in my site during the first weekend of August. I have invited two volunteers who are experts in building these fogons to help teach my bricklayers. About five other volunteers who are interested in building fogons in their sites are also planning on coming to help out as well. Should be fun!
JULY:
To wrap up this mamouth of a blog, I wanted to post some pictures of my 4th of July weekend. Every year the US Embassy here puts on a party for all the volunteers which is always a good time. That same weekend, Peace Corps Paraguay put on another one of its AHECHA nights. This is something a volunteer committee puts on about four times per year to raise money for projects and to promote music. Volunteers and nationals perform similar to an open mic night. Super fun!
Until the next blog…promise it won’t be so far away next time!
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