tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86646894052374657232023-11-16T08:55:15.902-03:00Fiona's untitled thoughts on Paraguay.I am an Agricultural Extension Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Paraguay.Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-44520775549552759302013-01-09T19:20:00.000-03:002013-01-28T14:45:19.446-03:00A Note For the Thirsty RPCVs Out There<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGaO0PuGjeTWXar6H6YdQ0PVo4RNCyew_xVcMkzZw71GMs9qTOyDg924Ho4QQvJR4EZvWk2UXvHSdxHnGuKpsSnpWpKEszzHwcqYB3IkWRu8w03OM49DX9d63D6Ddbw6kxc0j7eyRS_PS/s1600/IMG_0074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGaO0PuGjeTWXar6H6YdQ0PVo4RNCyew_xVcMkzZw71GMs9qTOyDg924Ho4QQvJR4EZvWk2UXvHSdxHnGuKpsSnpWpKEszzHwcqYB3IkWRu8w03OM49DX9d63D6Ddbw6kxc0j7eyRS_PS/s320/IMG_0074.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Che ha!<br />
For those Paraguay RPCV who, like me, were unfortunate enough to break the glass flask in their mate thermo, do not despair! The website <a href="https://www.latinoyes.com/" target="_blank">latinoyes</a> can come to your rescue! I can tell you from personal experience that their <a href="https://www.latinoyes.com/product.php?productid=16305&cat=0&page=1" target="_blank">replacement glass flasks</a> fit any normal Termolar termo. The photo (on their website) makes it look too short, but it dose in fact fit the normal 1 liter matero termo size. Also, if your running low on your preferred <i>marca</i> of tereré yerba, they also sell <a href="https://www.latinoyes.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=10" target="_blank">Kurupi</a>, <a href="https://www.latinoyes.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=6" target="_blank">Campesino</a>, <a href="https://www.latinoyes.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=1" target="_blank">Pajarito</a>, <a href="https://www.latinoyes.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=2" target="_blank">Selecta</a>, <a href="https://www.latinoyes.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=8" target="_blank">Colon</a>, etc.<br />
Their prices are moderate, and the shipping cost was reasonable. The package arrived very fast and in good condition. Overall I am very pleased with the site and happy that I have found a way to continue my tereré and mate habit in the States. <br />
Nde ha!<br />
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EDIT: A friend sent me a link to <a href="http://www.yerbamate.us/default.asp" target="_blank">Go Yerba Mate</a> which has Paraguayan yerba as well and some very interesting tereré <i>equipo</i> for people on the go. They have a large selection of guampas too. So it looks like there are several options out there!</div>
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Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-80364188873380212532013-01-08T19:55:00.002-03:002013-01-09T18:48:32.001-03:00Reverse Culture Shock or My Final Blog Post (probably...)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSmTI1TUh_dlE7ocv9rhSgqYk4x00xEmTACxdQY_5L0YMZGg2rvf2EX508iBReKVKE-kIsepRRsTQoDJRktTliCN048vdkOdKm4XJuYERycrN6KhQFQvrwz9Y_KDJ3MQo8dfsv6dhl_Yh/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSmTI1TUh_dlE7ocv9rhSgqYk4x00xEmTACxdQY_5L0YMZGg2rvf2EX508iBReKVKE-kIsepRRsTQoDJRktTliCN048vdkOdKm4XJuYERycrN6KhQFQvrwz9Y_KDJ3MQo8dfsv6dhl_Yh/s320/IMG_0020.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow!</td></tr>
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It’s been nearly two weeks since I have been back in the
states after finishing my Peace Corps service.
This is likely to be my last blog post, but who knows, maybe something
else will come up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I got off the plane in Indianapolis in Chaco sandals and
t-shirt… not the best clothing for Indianapolis on the day before Christmas
Eve. I dug some wool socks and a
raincoat out of my suitcases and sprinted to the car with my Dad. There was lots of snow on the ground. It was
COLD. Christmas and New Years are always
socially and culturally intense times of year, so its only now, after the
holidays that I am really beginning to adjust to being back in the States.<o:p></o:p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKovCRYAeON6s-NbU31Lhp0-IeUlq_3C-M5vvbQOn4t6bAy1W9v2EzmeE1KFcHMaIwF1s6KARLigbiBgOcoo_rxzdgNFx7ZK6op0FJDdU8jdfsaf-WTyHhTNtkafBRlDrJnYjbHZHQemzs/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="68" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKovCRYAeON6s-NbU31Lhp0-IeUlq_3C-M5vvbQOn4t6bAy1W9v2EzmeE1KFcHMaIwF1s6KARLigbiBgOcoo_rxzdgNFx7ZK6op0FJDdU8jdfsaf-WTyHhTNtkafBRlDrJnYjbHZHQemzs/s320/IMG_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Eve with my family (photo taken with my new fansy-shmancy phone).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_MUqh20duMJzIRyPMKplRZM_UMIqyTueCpYso7mUFD-quydqWvy-7G8qg7SrV5Y_PktBi0AbIhT-6niHDxZlHgX4jjvc-qa-PwWu24_6y6yMoA6ndfL1cQRk6Fee8n7h20GFGpqhp9bv/s1600/IMG_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_MUqh20duMJzIRyPMKplRZM_UMIqyTueCpYso7mUFD-quydqWvy-7G8qg7SrV5Y_PktBi0AbIhT-6niHDxZlHgX4jjvc-qa-PwWu24_6y6yMoA6ndfL1cQRk6Fee8n7h20GFGpqhp9bv/s320/IMG_0011.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Day meal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPekw44MUD5BVg94IMFe2Xkcyx-Gd5XEvk347wRKR3bk6qn3gw3TIj1Lfxx0tAjfQDMWkUEIkqB9OLFzDDRkt3Lh3_pp-vitZG4kiF-E2O2qb7cZRgEcw-Dqs5vqkaC2IwfOsnyaNWV_uq/s1600/IMG_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPekw44MUD5BVg94IMFe2Xkcyx-Gd5XEvk347wRKR3bk6qn3gw3TIj1Lfxx0tAjfQDMWkUEIkqB9OLFzDDRkt3Lh3_pp-vitZG4kiF-E2O2qb7cZRgEcw-Dqs5vqkaC2IwfOsnyaNWV_uq/s320/IMG_0016.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Settlers_of_Catan" target="_blank">Settlers of Catan</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There have been more than a few conversations where I felt
like the topic was totally incomprehensible (mostly regarding social media and
B level news stories) or utterly unimportant (mostly overwrought concerns
regarding germs and catching colds).
After a few minor social faux pas, I have been trying to be more careful;
just because my initial response to something is to view it as extraneous or
irrelevant doesn’t mean it IS so.
Perhaps I need to give the topic the same gravity and consideration I
gave the topics discussed in my community in Paraguay.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifT9YxG2LFTdgRMcG6k38NExflBmcKeNoj6kQ7XInjcga8b77DAC4i-XTlRxURFARpvjcZq84gjZgV6DZUqdjwKxCjw3IK8HPjsrC1ER0cDkLqtB4bepamzuEDhYgu-ZhbgS63pMKQlYH7/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifT9YxG2LFTdgRMcG6k38NExflBmcKeNoj6kQ7XInjcga8b77DAC4i-XTlRxURFARpvjcZq84gjZgV6DZUqdjwKxCjw3IK8HPjsrC1ER0cDkLqtB4bepamzuEDhYgu-ZhbgS63pMKQlYH7/s320/IMG_0029.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: start;">My Paraguayan snow man. Notice the te<span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.222222328186035px; line-height: 19.185184478759766px;">reré, belt, and PCPY hat. </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My first really <i>fuerte</i>
moment of “reverse culture shock” was in the grocery store the day after
Christmas. I had been sent on an errand
to pick up leeks and I got really overwhelmed in the produce section of the
supermarket. I still can’t pinpoint what
rattled me so much, but it started when I was staring wide eyed at the greens
section, and the sprinkler system turned on.
I jumped back in alarm only to find myself face to face with pineapples.
Pineapples were the main crop in my community in Paraguay; they become ripe in
the height of summer. But here I was, stuck between not only the pineapples,
but mustard greens, oranges, lettuce, avocados and Brussels sprouts. There was snow outside and yet all this
diverse food available without any regard to its growing season or how far away
from Indiana it must have started its journey. This, and the utter, incomprehensible scale of
the supermarket, flabbergasted me. I finally managed to grab the leeks and
leave while unsuccessfully attempting to dodge the checkout clerk’s insistence
on small talk and holiday greetings. The
whole thing was a very uncomfortable experience. My plan now is to shop at <a href="http://www.bloomingfoods.coop/" target="_blank">Bloomingfoods</a> and
work my way up (although, why would I ever want to go anywhere else)!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Three of my most helpful “reintegration to American culture”
activities have been:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>1. Dancing! On my third night back (and every Wednesday since),
I went to the weekly <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_dance" target="_blank">contra dance</a> held by the <a href="http://bloomingtoncontra.org/" target="_blank">Bloomington Old-Time Music & Dance Group</a>. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iI4A2ZOjck" target="_blank">I have been dancing with them</a> off and on
since high school (I show up after about 45 seconds in the video I linked to. Can you spot me?) . Everything from the
bluegrass and old time music to some of the gender bending, role switching
dancers, was a wonderful reminder of so many of the things I love about the
Midwest and Bloomington in particular. I
also went to a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_(dance)" target="_blank">swing dance</a> class
held by my friend Josh at <a href="http://rachaelscafe.com/" target="_blank">Rachael’s Café</a>. Dancing with him and the other students
helped me realize that I haven’t lost any of my partner dancing skills in the
past two years, and have probably (somehow) gotten better.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhT3HCkxG60SHfwKFmQkc0AhrC_isoYRZR4MM4_vW_9h3iG6Xgp9yfy5iP_i4TnrP-_B6cM6qvLU1rRHsu5HUYeSMVsc3Na5RbZlFRSgvuQ-qy-oX7kJYoVWApLaAUJpxuh9BjF6wVxyN/s1600/IMG_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhT3HCkxG60SHfwKFmQkc0AhrC_isoYRZR4MM4_vW_9h3iG6Xgp9yfy5iP_i4TnrP-_B6cM6qvLU1rRHsu5HUYeSMVsc3Na5RbZlFRSgvuQ-qy-oX7kJYoVWApLaAUJpxuh9BjF6wVxyN/s320/IMG_0065.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new dance shoes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>2. IU Basketball! A few days after Christmas, I went to an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_basketball" target="_blank">IU Men’s Basketball</a> home game. I have been going to games since I was just a townie kid, so everything, from the crowds, to the band, to the cheerleading was just so comfortingly familiar. Plus, the Hoosiers are having an amazing season.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfqYtIrgi37iEwxOZKChzE5gPGw9HUCCimjv7K8gkOm6AolGq2G7V-JnQQKZ21dWsRHznsbe5kfM24V8lawdeBTjZx9q7GmRECW6K4pBXULrMDLXk6ITVfU1Sfe5K271bVZKGIGge-Yzo/s1600/IMG_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfqYtIrgi37iEwxOZKChzE5gPGw9HUCCimjv7K8gkOm6AolGq2G7V-JnQQKZ21dWsRHznsbe5kfM24V8lawdeBTjZx9q7GmRECW6K4pBXULrMDLXk6ITVfU1Sfe5K271bVZKGIGge-Yzo/s320/IMG_0036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoosier Basketball game.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>3. Food! My Dad has slowly been making some of my favorite foods that I have gone without for the past several years. Flank steak, lemon veal, Brussels sprouts sautéed in butter, asparagus, fingerling potatoes, spicy green beans, barbecued salmon, curry, turkaleeky soup, etc. Also, to reacquaint me with the other end of <i>comida Americana</i> my cousin David took me on a fast food crawl. We went to several fast food joints around town, the highlights being Taco Bell quesadillas, soda, 5 Guys Cajun style French fries, and more soda.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ij7b73rJGjtrt0_Fh9utRCm708A0q07E7tCJ7VjzjN0bfuylmzstSu7-jKloj7F5gurD2AICR1fhNsUTIKwLxOZ-NmBlVhoaVjgYOq-QYQQIgFxr6f4qm_djFsqF1dUVLvWvlpU5Akvu/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ij7b73rJGjtrt0_Fh9utRCm708A0q07E7tCJ7VjzjN0bfuylmzstSu7-jKloj7F5gurD2AICR1fhNsUTIKwLxOZ-NmBlVhoaVjgYOq-QYQQIgFxr6f4qm_djFsqF1dUVLvWvlpU5Akvu/s320/IMG_0014.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas meal: turkey, cranberries, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, stuffing, asparagus, and crescent roll. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0_mMZ6zgRMOQgTHm81kcvXRkvhewbjNBcFbDzc8-4dhTyaIIJqzr7gyeiCsZOzkRp1HEdNmB0tAHPBb6BqNAX-7mKTeCGUHGWtYvbWGatQxH-DvOlCKAtdPgLi5o368DPAqTq0mbKCWe/s1600/IMG_0050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0_mMZ6zgRMOQgTHm81kcvXRkvhewbjNBcFbDzc8-4dhTyaIIJqzr7gyeiCsZOzkRp1HEdNmB0tAHPBb6BqNAX-7mKTeCGUHGWtYvbWGatQxH-DvOlCKAtdPgLi5o368DPAqTq0mbKCWe/s320/IMG_0050.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mother, at my Bienvenido Hape, trying to enjoy maté.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am spending most of my time searching for jobs. Ideally I would like to work for the Federal
Government on the East coast in Pennsylvania, New Jersey or New York. I’m also looking at some grad schools, but
I’m hesitant to go back to school unless I am very enthusiastic about the
program. Plus, despite my intelligence,
I tend to do very poorly on tests. I
haven’t taken the GRE and I am frankly afraid to do so. I said this in an earlier post, but if anyone
has leads on jobs on the East coast, please let me know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEd84gf3K1BuYRAgh5RqZrc2H4dnuCh1WPPUL5OqQS1MnaEiw-6cva4-MQPFRa79zVVsIsEtQYfNm5hV2N6OYpHw16u2AF8OhrmQo-aZVoE6DNIWA_uw6u6r8V95Y2kqUkQWI1veBMtPj/s1600/IMG_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEd84gf3K1BuYRAgh5RqZrc2H4dnuCh1WPPUL5OqQS1MnaEiw-6cva4-MQPFRa79zVVsIsEtQYfNm5hV2N6OYpHw16u2AF8OhrmQo-aZVoE6DNIWA_uw6u6r8V95Y2kqUkQWI1veBMtPj/s320/IMG_0054.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, looking dapper on New Years Eve. <br />
Note: the earrings are Paraguayan <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%91andut%C3%AD" target="_blank">ñandutí</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Farewell for now. I
hope my blog has been interesting, useful, and entertaining. I’m always eager to talk about my Peace Corps
experience to anyone who will listen. If
you are a prospective Volunteer, don’t hesitate to contact me (just leave a
comment on any of the blog posts). I’ll
probably have more insight for prospective Volunteers who are heading to Latin
America, agriculture Volunteers, or <a href="http://islemay.blogspot.com/search/label/lgbt" target="_blank">LGBT Volunteers</a>. I’ll be <i>especially</i>
excited to talk to you if you’re lucky enough to be heading to the wonderful
and unique country of Paraguay.<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcDQIJRdIdGsSa7CodM1OQ4a4zTVJv4ZJUHMDs98WBiHvVTGqbBicgheoqQnU4PrQ3SMhgJG9LyKT001IjMQ3XANjg7_R-qP5H3Pml2cjo6tlRCCYe8TefU5GvdGCcX0XP8ty1jzOzwWB/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcDQIJRdIdGsSa7CodM1OQ4a4zTVJv4ZJUHMDs98WBiHvVTGqbBicgheoqQnU4PrQ3SMhgJG9LyKT001IjMQ3XANjg7_R-qP5H3Pml2cjo6tlRCCYe8TefU5GvdGCcX0XP8ty1jzOzwWB/s320/IMG_0045.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's good to be home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com3Bloomington, IN, USA39.165325 -86.52638569999999239.066843500000004 -86.687060699999989 39.2638065 -86.3657107tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-49921278927565930422012-11-29T18:49:00.000-03:002012-12-02T09:28:26.878-03:00The Long Goodbye, Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQ86kvQImTc1uq_CeIhVAgwfR3IAROU6ZiCIIYwkg2Kny4cHXPUc9HFY0evufW9uY0n-hPlqkknG02WDIcKhQojZPhq5J5CooZ-MoHT0VEE8qeUZL-Wix2QarkAtfMKjsFZmXrP8PhNYU/s1600/DSCN0465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQ86kvQImTc1uq_CeIhVAgwfR3IAROU6ZiCIIYwkg2Kny4cHXPUc9HFY0evufW9uY0n-hPlqkknG02WDIcKhQojZPhq5J5CooZ-MoHT0VEE8qeUZL-Wix2QarkAtfMKjsFZmXrP8PhNYU/s320/DSCN0465.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLn-lWhlYcZWTCs7GpfRNt4dwIvcYFMj9e3F7etLo_jG4ceEJEq9AWONwdwqn5X8fEn4xJkymT8hWUg7jDVI3ZJPE0sIOeNjYq81vcXeGbvSH2493t3NA_gJNcXNoR4EKDqoEW13mIFTl8/s1600/DSCN0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLn-lWhlYcZWTCs7GpfRNt4dwIvcYFMj9e3F7etLo_jG4ceEJEq9AWONwdwqn5X8fEn4xJkymT8hWUg7jDVI3ZJPE0sIOeNjYq81vcXeGbvSH2493t3NA_gJNcXNoR4EKDqoEW13mIFTl8/s320/DSCN0464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I am incredibly busy in site right now, and that’s exactly
how its supposed to be. During training they
told us all these things about how your service is going to be. They explain that, at least for agriculture
volunteers, the first few months of service are going to feel slow. Then, most
volunteers move into their own house and things speed up. The first year mark rolls around and
volunteer projects are getting off the ground.
Then, the second year just flies by.
Community members know the volunteer and have more confidence in her,
meaning the second half of the second year is just plain busy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhMVdZ4DxJ6zXQ2u7O2zXh2FaURAuIlTiaHQSSIvtnsDZkmBiKsvZZXYBOeth9ReslkSz4ysVAlaXOhd-AlnYpH3zAlMXv2uVZQodawAkgfqAprdmk-zcWBhtzMTklRMYLQzuzO1EBugk/s1600/DSCN0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhMVdZ4DxJ6zXQ2u7O2zXh2FaURAuIlTiaHQSSIvtnsDZkmBiKsvZZXYBOeth9ReslkSz4ysVAlaXOhd-AlnYpH3zAlMXv2uVZQodawAkgfqAprdmk-zcWBhtzMTklRMYLQzuzO1EBugk/s320/DSCN0320.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tereré</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That’s exactly how it went for me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I drank a LOT of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terere" target="_blank">tereré</a> in the first few months with
EVERYONE. It didn’t fee like I was doing
much, and I worried that I was a “bad” volunteer. But that long community integration time has
been paying off this second year. I’m
glad I did worry to much about doing charlas and tallers (lessons and
workshops) in my first few months, my language wasn’t good enough anyway. The result of waiting, is that now people
KNOW me and are (mostly) willing to listen to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There is also something they talked about in training, called
the “emotional rollercoaster.” It talks
about the emotional ups and downs that most volunteers experience. This is the best <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCLZvxz5qehM6C8z6OJbwtO-dKGxcw3k2do1zPcUoVSIqnrLjmSurfzVT9CGtpk2xcoTFu8cAFEuP8e9ByVP2DM5asldIjXiLGb7T7kMt8gQhY-VZ-tZUVeO3lQ4Kk-BABRas02FbvffF/s640/P1010764-2.JPG" target="_blank">link</a> I could find. Basically it breaks down, in
astounding detail, the highs and lows of service. There are several swings in the 10 weeks of
training, then a little peak when you get to site, then a dip as you relies
what exactly your in for for the next two years. It goes up again as you settle into life in
the country. There is a peek at the year mark and a dip directly after; perhaps
a indicating that your pleased with how far you have come in a year, and then
the realization that you have a year left.
Then it evens out for most of the second year. Finally, it dips at 2 to 3 months before your
COS (close of service) date; the time during which you are worrying about the
future, trying to finish up your work, and saying goodbye to the people you
have grown to love and quite likely will never see again.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsqQdS7MiNNDqv8KpFE3NIAs-RbivHfO-wCPRbqbFPQVmBJr48oFWXvrTfH__pCwfKNr1HtdLAA7a6-8cX93srb7i8zl9FhHTnsdIOyFRFf_zN3WcKKL18jpri1S6O7M6ihhACMIsKv57/s1600/DSCN0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsqQdS7MiNNDqv8KpFE3NIAs-RbivHfO-wCPRbqbFPQVmBJr48oFWXvrTfH__pCwfKNr1HtdLAA7a6-8cX93srb7i8zl9FhHTnsdIOyFRFf_zN3WcKKL18jpri1S6O7M6ihhACMIsKv57/s320/DSCN0339.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jpWwvViHfwBTAKIDNAJqYSULHgmWjYyNlchmQx7KYNahZ5IWfI-W0UeNBoFVX2fbtv50nnMJQ1t0SDc4r58ki9w0VtopOoz03F3hhEkcrYfyFQWehD_exTiD6Ql9VhZ8ky0mOTVlX2fP/s1600/DSCN0333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jpWwvViHfwBTAKIDNAJqYSULHgmWjYyNlchmQx7KYNahZ5IWfI-W0UeNBoFVX2fbtv50nnMJQ1t0SDc4r58ki9w0VtopOoz03F3hhEkcrYfyFQWehD_exTiD6Ql9VhZ8ky0mOTVlX2fP/s320/DSCN0333.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3S5OmUntVpzPu62NursfvOjiCcwaSyj0GIK-EoiEs5hB-c15tst-JdGSZ-PPM9QWqNhTxzprzmr69_b2CLaYfPubxXXe7OBVpabdG_gyx74PYqA6MS6seM_1rk2l4WI8FI4E3toPqplnS/s1600/DSCN0441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3S5OmUntVpzPu62NursfvOjiCcwaSyj0GIK-EoiEs5hB-c15tst-JdGSZ-PPM9QWqNhTxzprzmr69_b2CLaYfPubxXXe7OBVpabdG_gyx74PYqA6MS6seM_1rk2l4WI8FI4E3toPqplnS/s320/DSCN0441.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You should all be impressed that I limited my self to just three tree planting photos...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During training I rolled my eyes and for the most part
ignored these predictions. But I came a
cross the paper detailing these ups and downs about a month ago, and was
absolutely astonished at how accurate they were to my own experience. Apparently they actually know what they are
talking about in training.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuPhY8XVLFqM-giBahZeZU5Wz0OFEabuPgsysXs7vC-sflg1KmawSRcgmr50cfN0hzha_s5o74DvQ7Yad2zHqBkGkJw0OwXOh3G83wAGo9gTOR2B2bDcVjYzer6xRmuMng0dLH47eMyth/s1600/DSCN0373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuPhY8XVLFqM-giBahZeZU5Wz0OFEabuPgsysXs7vC-sflg1KmawSRcgmr50cfN0hzha_s5o74DvQ7Yad2zHqBkGkJw0OwXOh3G83wAGo9gTOR2B2bDcVjYzer6xRmuMng0dLH47eMyth/s320/DSCN0373.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the schools.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On top of being busy with work in site, there is also the
astounding amount of paperwork necessary to leave Peace Corps. Remember all that paperwork you had to do to
get into Peace Corps, well you have to do almost as much to leave it! I was all set to start applying for jobs
while in-country, but I have decided to just wait until I get back to the
states. The busyness and my oh-so-slow
internet connection, just make it too difficult. Since almost no one in my community knows I
have a computer, they don’t realize that I’m actually working when I’m inside
my house.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English Class!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I finally met my “follow up” this week. For the most part, Peace Corps Paraguay has a
6 year, three volunteer, rotation for any given site. The idea is that there is
a “first time” volunteer, and then two separate “follow-up” volunteers. I was a first time volunteer. I was my
community’s first resident volunteer. My
responsibility was to build a foundation of understanding and good will upon
which follow up volunteers could build, along with continuing any
projects. The fact that my community
wanted another volunteer after me, <i>and</i>
was viewed by Peace Corps as a good functioning site for one, is
fantastic. I think I got a really good
follow up and I am very hopeful for her and for the community. I absolutely wish her the best (I’m not
saying her name or posting a photo because I haven’t asked her permission). She will have a very different service that I
did (everyone’s service is unique), but I think she and the community will do
great things together!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piña Poty, the Women's Committee.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I know I started out this post saying how busy I am. But I wrote that several weeks ago, now its
much more tranquillo. I am mostly just
wrapping up my classes and packing up my house… and saying goodbye.</div>
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Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-42145155695132037182012-10-27T17:10:00.000-03:002012-10-31T17:53:27.364-03:00Adventures in the Campo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPY8PrfMGs9d6T8OKSzM6K97WSZZThz3hHTmrYGljl3ea9krWOsF6LKq0wcMTyhOkeAO7zWhRMIguUl5aff5lqk7Wm4AaC7tULdkRs7HV6gfiB7GsW6ej1c2nnp34pgVnZFMQ8lf9TasK/s1600/DSCN0387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPY8PrfMGs9d6T8OKSzM6K97WSZZThz3hHTmrYGljl3ea9krWOsF6LKq0wcMTyhOkeAO7zWhRMIguUl5aff5lqk7Wm4AaC7tULdkRs7HV6gfiB7GsW6ej1c2nnp34pgVnZFMQ8lf9TasK/s320/DSCN0387.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cat, Perejil.</td></tr>
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<br />
I was going to do a "The Long Goodbye" part 2 post. But I'll save that for next week. For now, here are a few short tidbits about my adventures in the campo.</div>
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<b></b><br /><b></b></div>
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<b>A TREE NEARLLY FELL ON MY HOUSE.</b> </div>
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There was a series of storms that knocked the
electricity and water for three days. Shortly after the first storm hit, and in
the brief calm before the second, my neighbors came over and asked if I was
ok. I assumed they were concerned
because in a storm two days previous, my roof had nearly blown off (we had
nailed it back down securely earlier in the day), and they knew that I was
afraid of thunder. Unfortunately there
is no where to hide during a storm, other than under the covers, which end up
getting soaked by water blowing in through the three inch gap between where my
walls start, and where my roof starts.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZ7Hg-isU_LW2e6jnF0aK8O5YOE-RkjzpB4Hzom4ef6yyqDOuXaCaHGarqgSn3MXarNK8x8GXpWxlN3N6FMR6ZK3h60M-lw6okR619ef9NngdD3wydrsh2STH9hJO46qFTf3ALHGZ51rS/s1600/DSCN0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZ7Hg-isU_LW2e6jnF0aK8O5YOE-RkjzpB4Hzom4ef6yyqDOuXaCaHGarqgSn3MXarNK8x8GXpWxlN3N6FMR6ZK3h60M-lw6okR619ef9NngdD3wydrsh2STH9hJO46qFTf3ALHGZ51rS/s320/DSCN0432.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The part of the roof that nearly blew off. Also, note the lack of tapa-junots in between the boards, allowing the sun to shine and the wind to blow- inside the house. This is the room that actually has SOME tapa junots. Some day I'll post a photo of the other room that lacks them all together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelgmDuR4Iq8PULrduEky-egCIqWKt9f5ue37I8tbbZV7Z4UxBr8XfOaAv6ZPPT532FCSnmTSo3GYUsNkp_wZgzIjQgFHp7RqIq5wNN6yVWlQunQp9Dessoq7z3jfvn4ldkqHQrAkM0C7j/s1600/DSCN0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelgmDuR4Iq8PULrduEky-egCIqWKt9f5ue37I8tbbZV7Z4UxBr8XfOaAv6ZPPT532FCSnmTSo3GYUsNkp_wZgzIjQgFHp7RqIq5wNN6yVWlQunQp9Dessoq7z3jfvn4ldkqHQrAkM0C7j/s320/DSCN0428.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that lovely gap between the wall and roof! This is what I call air conditioning! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However my neighbors then said I should come outside and “mira un poco!”
(take a little look). And there,
illuminated by flashes from distant lightning, was a tall, formally upright
tree with half its base uprooted, leaning precariously over my little cabin… in
fact right over the spot where my bed was.
I considered my options, and decided I would sleep in the kitchen, so if
the tree fell on my shack, the coming storm at least I wouldn’t be in the
direct line of its fall. However, my neighbor
got a long strong rope and tied it to a pieces of thick bamboo. With another 20 foot bamboo pole, he wedged
the line into a fork in the branches. As
the next storm started to arrive, he tied the other end of the rope to my peach
tree, and pulled the line taunt. As far as we could tell, as the rain started
to fall harder and the lightning illuminated his work, it looked probably that
IF the tree fell tonight it would pulled from its path enough to land beside
the house, or possibly just knick the corner of the kitchen. The storms also
resulted in three days without electricity or water. Asi es la vida.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis66I8RlafVOT362Wj04j3Ei5m7WO8dWawkxtzlvFeOco27eMZman9wTTF7ZrrsfUgsiA4Q1NpSlWv5gSmgeddUBKs15Vd35hGCzLuHdo1UvSbmL9FRRAokX-a0KE5ZjpFS79A48iQ90lD/s1600/DSCN0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis66I8RlafVOT362Wj04j3Ei5m7WO8dWawkxtzlvFeOco27eMZman9wTTF7ZrrsfUgsiA4Q1NpSlWv5gSmgeddUBKs15Vd35hGCzLuHdo1UvSbmL9FRRAokX-a0KE5ZjpFS79A48iQ90lD/s320/DSCN0410.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tree, formally upright, leaning precariously over my bedroom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgI4ZRNGIroBrcrhRtLdCxZknFDLunivBpHOqRSlaeJBxf5WGbkZBB1TIyvFEtzup3tqf7oI8widCsTLmpSwWvtX3mCXm40AFKxavmxdlaVN7NAgR1rYS4sKUG0dT7DQu93RM3nc0-BnZ/s1600/DSCN0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgI4ZRNGIroBrcrhRtLdCxZknFDLunivBpHOqRSlaeJBxf5WGbkZBB1TIyvFEtzup3tqf7oI8widCsTLmpSwWvtX3mCXm40AFKxavmxdlaVN7NAgR1rYS4sKUG0dT7DQu93RM3nc0-BnZ/s320/DSCN0407.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The oh-so-strong peach tree thats stoping the other tree from falling on me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, here is a photo of a different tree, from an earlier
storm, that managed to miss both my house and my latrine, but just barely. Doesn’t look like we are going to have
another drought this summer!<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsp78fj_7buvHr03zbqRZ7CBtNnhEP5kvOIpuWdrcSrJG85TFbyScjGVxXDZyIItrku-j0xLcro_3ZEZQf8F3WUyw7oXLT0yWTE8qSe_SeY0LeGQ9iziYtlp9_FpIpgrjuvs0uA00WuTcP/s1600/DSCN0402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsp78fj_7buvHr03zbqRZ7CBtNnhEP5kvOIpuWdrcSrJG85TFbyScjGVxXDZyIItrku-j0xLcro_3ZEZQf8F3WUyw7oXLT0yWTE8qSe_SeY0LeGQ9iziYtlp9_FpIpgrjuvs0uA00WuTcP/s320/DSCN0402.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thats my latrine in the back ground...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>In other news, here is my day from my life about 2 weeks ago: </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Part One- My chicken had apparently been stuck down a dry, unwalled well for
several days. After attempting to lower several children into the well
(ignoring my pleas not to), my neighbors lowered a homemade ladder and an adult
sort of repelled to the ladder and climbed down. The chicken was retrieved, and
my neighbor made it back up too. He requests a 5mil bottle of caña (sugar cane
s<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFP5wVv0ktpQr_s6J2UKsHhKS0mXRVD2J1BM1sMu-7Z6ZIPn8MnwS6bKuLBXaxbU-AYdLSDT7045whlxPhwe07JOtgqVf14RrHc1qG1kmEQvEbmiN8Mo8GnZAwFd7amNOK0szlQPMK7nu1/s1600/DSCN0318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFP5wVv0ktpQr_s6J2UKsHhKS0mXRVD2J1BM1sMu-7Z6ZIPn8MnwS6bKuLBXaxbU-AYdLSDT7045whlxPhwe07JOtgqVf14RrHc1qG1kmEQvEbmiN8Mo8GnZAwFd7amNOK0szlQPMK7nu1/s320/DSCN0318.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You'll never run away again...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
piret as payment. I ate the chicken a few days later with two visiting Peace Corps trainees.<br />
<br />
Part Two- Our Women's Committee meeting is interrupted when a kid comes to
inform us that the town drunk is hassling the town hothead/owner of the
allmacen (a "store" that sells alcohol, onions and toilet paper).
Several señoras literally run off to manage their husbands. Later in the day,
three of the drunk's six kids come by my house... and hang out for HOURS. I
don't have the heart to turn them away...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Part Three- My neighbors fixed my garden fence that blew down in the storm last week. I'm very grateful, but they also "cleaned" the garden, thus hoeing down the red onions, thyme, and broccoli. The next storm blew it down again, and seeing as how I'm leaving in December, I'm not going to bother fixing it.<br />
<br />
Part Four- The water from my spigot (can you BELIEVE that is the right spelling) has returned to its normal semi-cloudy color. It was running "Paraguayan dirt" red this morning as I attempted to do my laundry.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30cjkRS2UggZq1NBs7xfDCQ4bWIEVVuwnqZDilkNSPf4xyqPeKwXWbceJvRG-8yUk3CSP6CIdMwVUqiJ3hlMKgp7bVH25cl3Goi8CP6A_kHzHgWpm0w3yE0OzXFrWIOaZBQEjMzzXsgao/s1600/DSC01317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30cjkRS2UggZq1NBs7xfDCQ4bWIEVVuwnqZDilkNSPf4xyqPeKwXWbceJvRG-8yUk3CSP6CIdMwVUqiJ3hlMKgp7bVH25cl3Goi8CP6A_kHzHgWpm0w3yE0OzXFrWIOaZBQEjMzzXsgao/s320/DSC01317.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the color of the "Paraguayan dirt red."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-63996048679900428082012-09-23T19:01:00.000-04:002012-09-27T21:21:43.144-04:00The Long Goodbye, Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ouQmQfhS1rGrbydciw4jhq4a6w7nQXYcQsxSQsp9ej2vTZOSXZcDWxA1eMTp7SEbvHxhM5NAbtKCAAfvP6by-RQo1qT3G1dgbCo7EV_IbVxRndeEcDW_fkKtm4DN6TtsmzaSp1OSs1Qk/s1600/DSCN0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ouQmQfhS1rGrbydciw4jhq4a6w7nQXYcQsxSQsp9ej2vTZOSXZcDWxA1eMTp7SEbvHxhM5NAbtKCAAfvP6by-RQo1qT3G1dgbCo7EV_IbVxRndeEcDW_fkKtm4DN6TtsmzaSp1OSs1Qk/s320/DSCN0091.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I didn’t get the coordinator
position for next year, which I mentioned in a previous <a href="http://islemay.blogspot.com/2012/07/a-few-words-about-future.html" target="_blank">post</a>. The outcome was unexpected. Like most people, I don’t like loosing. I’m
not used to reaching for something and not getting it; I got into my top choice for <a href="http://www.grinnell.edu/" target="_blank">college</a>, after college I got the <a href="http://www.afscme.org/organize/become-an-organizer" target="_blank">job</a> I most wanted, I got accepted into the Peace Corps when I
was ready to leave said job. So, I’m not
used to rejection. However, now I’m glad
(and not just because I’m trying to make myself feel better). Working on my resume has made me realize that the extra year of my life would have just ended up being a few more
lines and what is already shaping up to be a good resume. Well, clearly it would have been more than that, but basically <b>it’s
time to move on to new things.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Na Polly, my Mama Paraguaya.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5aALUenP4uZ8DS7CXadoARmgT-Rz_hTgDPwfmsZ20g04msPuuJ0rE8q6RUmSq0Y8bnJaYFoNqgud3jy61XxUNn_NhN4f9nTeLwGtbmfM0ibAUnrTTErjKSnfJYHfSlbHGTMmtD4Hay8V/s1600/DSC01550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5aALUenP4uZ8DS7CXadoARmgT-Rz_hTgDPwfmsZ20g04msPuuJ0rE8q6RUmSq0Y8bnJaYFoNqgud3jy61XxUNn_NhN4f9nTeLwGtbmfM0ibAUnrTTErjKSnfJYHfSlbHGTMmtD4Hay8V/s320/DSC01550.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Its great to <i>finally</i> know what next year holds.
It was difficult to look at other options when I though I might
be staying in Paraguay. One of the
effects of knowing I’m leaving in December is that it’s hitting home that I
might never see the people in my community again. <b>At least when I was leaving Indiana to come
to Paraguay, I knew I would be back in a few years.</b> I knew I would most likely see my friends and
family again. As it is, I <i>hope</i> to come back to Paraguay in 5 or
10 years, but I honestly don’t know if that will be an option for me. I’m lucky I’m so close to my community. I’m sure many volunteers leave after two
years with no desire to look back. But
despite my shortcomings as a volunteer (my utter inability to learn Guarani),
the people here have taken me into their hearts and homes.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcD5u6U-ozRdduaEBhj0c2gbVsgNW1ttirNisD8zIje1RIpMuaZKNeVLytQTkKUecSyz0lCFN7XQgjk5z4i5CYORR6S3XjQI-2FFxl-apj4WOOHYaSzkrzOYkTcjzpz24t4zeEMKw77om/s1600/DSC01448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcD5u6U-ozRdduaEBhj0c2gbVsgNW1ttirNisD8zIje1RIpMuaZKNeVLytQTkKUecSyz0lCFN7XQgjk5z4i5CYORR6S3XjQI-2FFxl-apj4WOOHYaSzkrzOYkTcjzpz24t4zeEMKw77om/s320/DSC01448.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids taking over my house.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WBLCSOrIjiwocMdE2P6_UqeOQMJ__LJFdwoqI2ONAlCr-Zap1r9ian2fX7Dn6xnXhyphenhyphenIxFeo_bXQuOBjmp7flb-jLU67qXz3ribFxvoganW-BpimLUOWiNI4oIXFFceCB0FFbRqdEK2GX/s1600/DSC01633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WBLCSOrIjiwocMdE2P6_UqeOQMJ__LJFdwoqI2ONAlCr-Zap1r9ian2fX7Dn6xnXhyphenhyphenIxFeo_bXQuOBjmp7flb-jLU67qXz3ribFxvoganW-BpimLUOWiNI4oIXFFceCB0FFbRqdEK2GX/s320/DSC01633.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More kids... taking over my house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Additionally, I have acquired
friends (and more) in Santani, the large pueblo near my community. At least I will be able to stay in touch with
the wonderful supportive community of people I know there. Most of them are on facebook. I’ll stay
connected, at least peripherally, to their lives. However in my actual site (which is much poor and
more rural than Santani), only one person has a computer, and I doubt he has
facebook. My neighbor, Mabel (one of the
few people my age in site that I hang out with) asked me about text messaging
the states. Dang I’m going to miss it here. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jorge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julieta and Teresa</td></tr>
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On the other hand, whenever
something annoying/painful/frustrating happens, I now rejoice that soon, I’ll
soon not be bothered by such things. I
will not have to deal with caterpillars, frogs, or <a href="http://islemay.blogspot.com/2012/03/dont-look-too-closely-or-story-of-horse.html" target="_blank">tarantulas</a> overrunning my home. Sure, those things
will exist in the States, but they wont enter my house with the same ease they
do here. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giardia" target="_blank">Giardia</a> (thanks Peru)? <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinworms" target="_blank">Pinworms</a> (thanks kids)? Eye infections? Possible in the states, but much less
likely. When I feel the call of nature
in the middle of the night, I will no longer have to make the rather hazardous
trek to the latrine.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Traveling will be different. In the states I’ll probably have access to a
car, but much less access to buses and much fewer locations within walking distance.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Communication will be different too. I’ll speak the dominant language fluently
(and the second most predominant language passably), but Ill no longer be an
exciting foreigner towards which people extend endless amounts of
patients. I’ll blend in… I’ll no longer
stand out. Is this good or bad?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bingo in English class.</td></tr>
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Clearly I have some more thinking
to do on this topic. I “Close of
Service” (COS) in under three months, so I’m sure there will be a Part
2 to this post.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-72708248732499795892012-08-31T17:17:00.000-04:002012-08-31T17:19:58.162-04:00Sustainability in Development Work<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken/ Gallina/ Ryguasu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I am nearing the end of my service. After 20 months in site, I am trying to look
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I worked hard to make most of the activities I did sustainable. After all, what use is development work
unless it is sustainable? <i>Unsustainable</i> development work can even
be harmful to the very communities its supposed to help. The thing is, frequently unsustainable
development work has immediate tangible results that make the do-gooders feel…
well, good. You can literally see what
you have done (it just might not be there 2 years- or 2 months- after you
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Personally, I feel like my work falls into three categories:
Unsustainable, Maybe Sustainable, Sustainable.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English class.</td></tr>
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<b>Unsustainable</b>: My most unsustainable work was probably the
English classes. Clearly those classes
cannot continue with out my presence. I
was hesitant to teach English for this very reason, but it was one of the few
requests I heard again and again from my community; Its important to listen to
what the community wants.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAjZQjIBH5ivKcYpM1R5X4cGuKb5ClK6EfNmu_7oOV7GYY_9iAv50gAJCPuUtc_d9qvdFdb_7lTLxUEHIFckRknVwOQu4ZFjZUE6KczoEkImwB0O7hmn_d2Ygbds8wJHkeYOjMPMuaXXF/s1600/DSC01356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAjZQjIBH5ivKcYpM1R5X4cGuKb5ClK6EfNmu_7oOV7GYY_9iAv50gAJCPuUtc_d9qvdFdb_7lTLxUEHIFckRknVwOQu4ZFjZUE6KczoEkImwB0O7hmn_d2Ygbds8wJHkeYOjMPMuaXXF/s320/DSC01356.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the foreground, the floor cooking fire that campo families use when they don't have a fogone. In the background, a newly build fogone (it's still missing the chimney). The benefit of a fogon is two fold: It is much more fule efficient than a fire on the ground, and it funnels the smoke out of the kitchen greatly reducing heath problems for women and children (who generally spend large chunks of their day in the kitchen).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="text-align: left;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="text-align: left;">Maybe Sustainable</b><span style="text-align: left;">: The fogones (fuel-efficient
cook-stoves).</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Some were built with two stellar
</span><a href="http://www.amigoslink.org/project/paraguay-san-pedro" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Amigos de las Americas</a><span style="text-align: left;"> volunteers, some were built using EPCA (it stands for </span><span style="text-align: left;">Environmental</span><span style="text-align: left;">... something, something, something) grants.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Most involved some family participation.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">I put this in the Maybe Sustainable category,
because some of the families only participated in periphery ways.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">They provided the red dirt, mixed the
mescala, sought out glass bottles to help fill in the base.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">But in other families, members were more
involved in the actual construction; laying the bricks along side the
volunteers, participating in every stage of the construction.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">In these families, if the stove breaks down,
they will likely be able to fix it.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">I
won't go so far as to say that they could build one on their own from
memory.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">But with a good clear diagram
they might.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Another maybe sustainable
activity is the worm bins I have with a family.</span><span style="text-align: left;">
</span><span style="text-align: left;">Its too early to tell if this will last for any time at all.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH77dbYaM5V5kuepdqCHhgURKSjedSd3MTDkFGt-oUvJIpYm82320NcrkQWGAg9nD_VU1A10B4VgZo8AltuqYgIU-g46bXYSYyh3VzaxPGnlQrQvvQIGTPUzHqjsT99JAxPwYUZcXcpP_z/s1600/DSC01363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH77dbYaM5V5kuepdqCHhgURKSjedSd3MTDkFGt-oUvJIpYm82320NcrkQWGAg9nD_VU1A10B4VgZo8AltuqYgIU-g46bXYSYyh3VzaxPGnlQrQvvQIGTPUzHqjsT99JAxPwYUZcXcpP_z/s320/DSC01363.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and a community member working together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4Qx8CtAb3rjGbEEziXGF2_nc9nhvydoFflYfDYlAUWItDueDpJm_8Q5KhbdcQU59A5dNTV1GUvCUT-UHWzksrnwIVWHcqF4AvrgT1k_KmLmDTEgA-KRV4m8EZ44YMxILLTQCPhkuD4Ua/s1600/DSC01371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4Qx8CtAb3rjGbEEziXGF2_nc9nhvydoFflYfDYlAUWItDueDpJm_8Q5KhbdcQU59A5dNTV1GUvCUT-UHWzksrnwIVWHcqF4AvrgT1k_KmLmDTEgA-KRV4m8EZ44YMxILLTQCPhkuD4Ua/s320/DSC01371.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Community members finishing up their fogone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Sustainable</b>: With my encouragement and guidance, 5 or 6
families planted abonos verdes last year (nitrogen fixing green manures). This year most of the families appear to be
saving the seeds and planting again without any comments or reminders on my
part. This makes me happier than I can
express. Maybe I did accomplish
something here after all. Also I worked
in both school gardens last year, talking about the importance of compost and
companion planting. This year, I have
done no work in the school gardens, but I can see the compost piles from the
road and the plant beds look to have two or three types of vegetables in them
instead of massive, unbroken beds of lettuce.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqakemR-jZpXoCpAIIt0EvPpTQl3tevXS9c38AJEtbmDpLXdEZYcNUfyCR4g7n55V0tiNtMtbs3Q2vdL1mSL6ESTA3QcZuvJU9vsz_Cc7xKvAhxgvansftpxTrfZJwpGbnMJ-AoZYcqCe/s1600/DSC00659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqakemR-jZpXoCpAIIt0EvPpTQl3tevXS9c38AJEtbmDpLXdEZYcNUfyCR4g7n55V0tiNtMtbs3Q2vdL1mSL6ESTA3QcZuvJU9vsz_Cc7xKvAhxgvansftpxTrfZJwpGbnMJ-AoZYcqCe/s320/DSC00659.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">School garden, last year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
I’m not sure what my last 3 ½ months in site will bring (or
if I’ll be in Paraguay for an extra year or not). But as of now, I’m feeling pretty good about
my service.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-61061777675552882902012-07-20T16:53:00.000-04:002012-09-07T02:15:05.329-04:00A Few Words About the Future<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuc-CRcrv1r_2azktA2qwiuYFCekGBnGlRg_v-kGZQ_OQoAsLQCIdA-NgnAMyUigsFfQ2eizDjRSPhhoqMU1HR7p3EED4yCFbUFR9d7jFVJOAlEBz1oGBqCvZXTdNv7TgPdvdfamC4A3x/s1600/DSC01724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuc-CRcrv1r_2azktA2qwiuYFCekGBnGlRg_v-kGZQ_OQoAsLQCIdA-NgnAMyUigsFfQ2eizDjRSPhhoqMU1HR7p3EED4yCFbUFR9d7jFVJOAlEBz1oGBqCvZXTdNv7TgPdvdfamC4A3x/s320/DSC01724.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A farmer showing off his abonos verdes kumanda yvrai.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Everyone in G 34 (the group I
swore-in with) recently received our official invitation to our COS (close of
service) conference. The COS conference
happens 3 moths before we are scheduled to swear out. Our conference is in the first week of
September, our swear-out date is the middle of December. Its my understanding that the COS conference
is supposed to prepare us to reenter American society. I think we get info on our healthcare
options, our non-competitive status for some(?) federal jobs, and the reentry
culture shock we might experience.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s hard to look that far ahead
right now. I’m involved with my community and comfortable in Paraguayan
culture. I’m never going to figure out
all aspects of Paraguayan culture (that would be imposable), but I’m at the
point where I am excited to eat my favorite dishes, I don’t feel <i>too </i> awkward at fiestas, and I can sit and drink
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terere" target="_blank">terere</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mate_(beverage)" target="_blank">mate</a> for hours talking about cualquier cosa or just sitting in
comfortable silence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
My very limited internet access
makes doing the research necessary for planning my future difficult. However, I did decide to apply for the
position of Peace Corps Volunteer Coordinator (PCVC) for the agriculture
sector. If I get the position, I would
work in the office in Asuncion in a Volunteer support capacity/ assistant to
the head of the Agriculture sector. I
hope to get the position because I would get to stay in Paraguay for an
additional year, and I would continue to help support my fellow Volunteers. Of all the activities I have done in Peace
Corps, supporting my fellow Volunteers in both a formal and informal capacity,
as been one of the most rewarding (and challenging) parts. Don’t get me wrong, I feel incredibly
fulfilled when I one of the farmers I work with finally harvests the abonos
verdes I educated him on months before, but I feel like the Volunteer support
activities actually speaks to a career path I might follow post Peace Corps.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
If I don’t get the coordinator
position (a very real possibility) I am thinking about how else I can
potentially follow this new found calling.
How can I translate these activities into a career in the US (or abroad
for that matter). I like supporting
people in a new and stressful environment, and helping them navigate the ins
and outs of both Peace Corps policy and Paraguayan culture. If anyone who reads my blog has suggestions
please let me know. I need a back up
plan if the coordinator position doesn’t pan out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Post Script: I’m also taking the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Foreign_Service" target="_blank">FSOT</a> in September, but I doubt I’ll pass the exam the first time around.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Post Post Script: Also, I have two very guapo (hardworking)
high school volunteers from <a href="http://www.amigoslink.org/project/paraguay-san-pedro" target="_blank">Amigos de las Americas</a> in my site. They are building fuel
efficient cook stoves (fogons) and playing with the kids in the community like
pros. If you are looking for a
challenging summer program for high school youth, I definitely suggest looking
into <a href="http://www.amigoslink.org/" target="_blank">Amigos</a>.
Ill upload a photo next time I have a strong enough internet signal.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
*EDIT: SEPTEMBER 7TH 2012*<br />
So, I didn't get the coordinator position. I guess I'm glad I tried. Dang. Time focus on those back up options.</div>
</div>
Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-61184529458932836232012-06-27T00:30:00.000-04:002012-06-28T07:58:00.340-04:00So What’s Going on Down There?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDS6ZtCJ0-jjjQurUEtLvDI9dgZc4fRv-t37kx0HO7N2BX1VEHY5k8-j-YCV9vab4PmVqIJFKD_5Vj34-r6vm_JTA_3jzkxUJQl-oISV7_FFCb6yVW7Ge79L8KF5LUUQzhTynos0m881Id/s1600/DSC01318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDS6ZtCJ0-jjjQurUEtLvDI9dgZc4fRv-t37kx0HO7N2BX1VEHY5k8-j-YCV9vab4PmVqIJFKD_5Vj34-r6vm_JTA_3jzkxUJQl-oISV7_FFCb6yVW7Ge79L8KF5LUUQzhTynos0m881Id/s320/DSC01318.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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First off, let me reemphasize that any statements made here
are my opinions and experiences alone and in no way reflect the position of the
US Government, or of the Peace Corps. I
feel compelled to write this post in response to concerns by my friends and
family about the situation in Paraguay.
I am going to do my best to simply explain the events and provide links
to informative articles (some of which are on Wikipedia- not the most reliable,
but handy for getting the gist of things), while avoiding any commentary on the
politics involved. Volunteers have been
requested to avoid publicly giving opinions on the situation, and I want to
abide by that request.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
On Friday night, June 26<sup>th</sup>,
Paraguay experienced a rapid change in leadership (some are calling it a
political coup). Paraguay’s Senate voted to<span style="background-color: white;"> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeachment_of_Fernando_Lugo" target="_blank">impeach</a> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0.5in;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1828868688">P</a></span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0.5in;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Lugo" target="_blank">resident Lugo</a> in a vote of 39 for
and 4 against.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0.5in;">Amongst other things,
they cited an event that had happened a few weeks earlier on June 15</span><sup style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0.5in;">th</sup><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0.5in;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0.5in;">There was a <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-18466238" target="_blank">clash</a> (resulting in 17 deaths) between
the police and landless farmers who were occupying land
that had been given to the current owner under <a href="http://ea.com.py/blas-n-riquelme-y-las-tierras-malhabidas-de-curuguaty/" target="_blank">questionable legal circumstances</a> by the
dictator <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfredo_Stroessner" target="_blank">Alfredo Stroessner</a></span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0.5in;"> decades earlier.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0.5in;">Historically, Lugo’s
presidency was significant in part because it was the first time that a
“<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jun/22/washington-fernando-lugo-ouster-paraguay" target="_blank">president from one party peacefully transferred power to another</a>”
ending over 60 years of rule by one party.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
There is much controversy over the
legality of the impeachment, in part due to the speed at which the whole thing
took place. Most people (including me
while I was at a neighbors house trying out a new venenos caseros for her
garden) heard about the plans for impeachment on Thursday morning. By the time he was voted out on <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jun/22/washington-fernando-lugo-ouster-paraguay" target="_blank">Friday night</a>,
he had had under 24 hours to prepare, and just two hours to mount a defense. The vise president <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federico_Franco" target="_blank">Federico Franco</a> (who is of a different political
party than Lugo), was sworn-in shortly thereafter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
So what does this mean? Well, there are (mostly) peaceful protests
centered in Asuncion, and more planed later this week all over the country. Lugo is encouraging protesters to remain
peaceful, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/25/fernando-lugo-impeached-paraguay-president-_n_1624141.html?utm_hp_ref=world" target="_blank">but is not accepting the verdict</a>. One concern that I have heard repeatedly is the well-founded worry that this
might make Paraguay even more isolated (for a visual explanation of this see
the map half way down this <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeachment_of_Fernando_Lugo" target="_blank">page</a>). Ambassadors have been called home from half a
dozen South American governments.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
I am safe. Mostly, life is just going on as normal. My neighbors still have their fields to hoe,
and their cows to milk. The only difference
is that people are keeping their radios close and those few people with TVs are
now very popular. Like a telanovela,
each development is discussed extensively over <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terere" target="_blank">terere</a> or if it’s a cold day, over <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mate_(beverage)" target="_blank">mate</a>. Peace Corps Volunteers, of course, refrain
from giving opinions on the situation so as to not strain relationships with
host country nationals.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
There are other things I wanted to
talk about, but this post is heavy enough. Future topics might include the challenge of
being far away when there are deaths in the family (I have lost two
grandparents in the past 4 moths), the fabulous craziness that is the <a href="http://discoveringparaguay.com/home/juegos-de-la-fiesta-de-san-juan-games-of-san-juan/" target="_blank">festivalof San Juan</a> (I am unfamiliar with the women’s games that are listed, but I definitely saw
lots of fire soccer balls, burning effigies, and greased climbing poles at the
party I went to), more angst on being lgbt and closeted, the
possibility of maybe extending my time in Paraguay by a year, and the fact that
my hens are FINALLY laying eggs. So stay
tuned!<o:p></o:p><br />
**UPDATE: NPR did a story on Paraguay. Here is the <a href="http://www.npr.org/2012/06/26/155792594/paraguays-ousted-president-desires-return" target="_blank">link</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs3A_G3ieGk-p6DNOfBhb_kkEoU3LAsls1r-OjyNYbN8cyW6xaHa8Ppavst8dQ6lwHuCE-qDE9N5a4YjMEdJW4yn8dX9xnEUx9Ytq0qdIT86KFqOgtv9utr4UAis3MCZHmgSl1tUCSRcG/s1600/DSC00119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs3A_G3ieGk-p6DNOfBhb_kkEoU3LAsls1r-OjyNYbN8cyW6xaHa8Ppavst8dQ6lwHuCE-qDE9N5a4YjMEdJW4yn8dX9xnEUx9Ytq0qdIT86KFqOgtv9utr4UAis3MCZHmgSl1tUCSRcG/s320/DSC00119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-75057081662230053932012-06-09T13:23:00.000-04:002012-06-10T21:12:03.763-04:00Shock: Culture, Food, and the Potential International Appeal of Tereré<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmGzXG1ptdzUlmUFEfh2BglDuhLPe22mP4iuOekuPf5f0U4cuRW2f38xnfVR55V6vX4ALMFkbXhC3DwhLS8o-qYV7PxRRUL-qYRafOsT9IdhsV_KnWUqfG9tBAWLiriZtEx0cz02CH6Lv/s1600/182876_10101846558638549_688813391_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmGzXG1ptdzUlmUFEfh2BglDuhLPe22mP4iuOekuPf5f0U4cuRW2f38xnfVR55V6vX4ALMFkbXhC3DwhLS8o-qYV7PxRRUL-qYRafOsT9IdhsV_KnWUqfG9tBAWLiriZtEx0cz02CH6Lv/s320/182876_10101846558638549_688813391_n.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Ann Arbor, on an industrially awesome swing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">After being out of the US for 20 months, I went on a two-week
vacation to the States, spending a week in Bloomington, IN and a week in Ann
Arbor, MI. I head back to lovely
Paraguay in a few days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">A few things about current American culture that I have learned about during
my vacation:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instagram" target="_blank">Instigram</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siri_(software)" target="_blank">Siri</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Indiana's political mess, locally and statewide</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Occupy as explained to me by participants (not just news sites)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupon" target="_blank">Groupon</a> (still unclear on this one)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubstep" target="_blank">Dubstep</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flexing_(dance)" target="_blank">Flexing</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/06/three-reasons-why-left-lost-wisconsin" target="_blank">The sad state of Wisconsin</a></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Also, I forgot what its like to be surrounded by people who are JUST
like me (family). For example, when we went out to eat at restaurants, we
all ended up ordering the same dish… this happened three times, in three
different </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">restaurants.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljA084sEKgQHzgAUH4y-nH6AGPDtTY8PDrJ0MGzvqDfsdtKUT6klMsJuInl7IHgaO9ihfsXceEYMehglp_OfsLaE9uTmc9Cm0rv8FnabFsC_psSAh6i9NFkwRj6DAEufYbNOXM0XCGdi2/s1600/168815_579436827016_1561105384_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljA084sEKgQHzgAUH4y-nH6AGPDtTY8PDrJ0MGzvqDfsdtKUT6klMsJuInl7IHgaO9ihfsXceEYMehglp_OfsLaE9uTmc9Cm0rv8FnabFsC_psSAh6i9NFkwRj6DAEufYbNOXM0XCGdi2/s1600/168815_579436827016_1561105384_n.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Bloomington, on my way to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_dance" target="_blank">Contra Dance</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Aside from getting confused about where to put leftovers and empty
containers, I have also been surprised by how much time people spend indoors.
In the US, our houses are much more enclosed than houses in Paraguay.
This is absolutely necessary due to the differences in climate and occupations
(most people don’t have a bunch of farm animals to attend to). But the
stark divided between Indoors and Outdoors was something that I had not been
cognitive of before living outside of the US.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">One of the greater challenges I faced during my vacation was my
inability to tune out other peoples conversations. In Paraguay, because I
actively have to work to understand Spanish or Guarani, it is easy to tune out
other peoples conversations when on the bus or in a store. But in the US,
I can’t just opt-out of overhearing and comprehending a conversation I have no
interest in. I don’t WANT to know about some stranger's awkward faux pas
with a coworker, but I have no choice in the matter. It makes my brain a
much nosier place.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The last cultural shock thing I’ll mention is
about the difference in scale. Walking around Lowe's, Target and Kroger's
completely blew my mind. They are just so BIG and full of stuff. It was
really overwhelming and not in a good way. Walking around a Supper 6 in
Asuncion after being in site for a month can sometimes be trying, but it
doesn't feel as needlessly massive as these other stores.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv5llV7JJn5ab96NezfDl8g4uGQePs9Dr28YAshfjHUx7bIGKEeEhnGPueU20eded5T0k0AerLfGT4lR2T9P0TbWSeAuVpeWPOFScp9U0Z5XHDO-iF9KIp8shPQsNYuqLsKcr5O9ISl9u/s1600/526161_579751561286_4373680_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv5llV7JJn5ab96NezfDl8g4uGQePs9Dr28YAshfjHUx7bIGKEeEhnGPueU20eded5T0k0AerLfGT4lR2T9P0TbWSeAuVpeWPOFScp9U0Z5XHDO-iF9KIp8shPQsNYuqLsKcr5O9ISl9u/s320/526161_579751561286_4373680_n.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flank steak with my Dad's homemade hot sause, local green beans with spicy mustered sause, and local new potatoes. Yum. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">OH, one more thing: FOOD. Dang I love food in the USA. I have been eating well and often in the
US! I had delicious home cooked meals
made by my Dad. He basically cooked all
the foods that I have been really missing (mushrooms, flank steak, mixed
greens, potatoes, etc.), and my friends Emily and Micah have been taking me to
some of the incredible restaurants that Ann Arbor has to offer…. including
South Indian food! Yum! However in
between my various delicious flavorful meals, I have been drinking plenty of
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terere" target="_blank">tereré</a>.
To my delight my family and Micah and Emily have been joining in as
well… just in time for summer in the States.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">In a few days I head back to Paraguay where
winter has apparently arrived with a vengeance.
Guess Ill be switching from tereré to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mate_(beverage)" target="_blank">mate</a> ….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-11247315240852039092012-05-16T18:34:00.000-04:002012-06-10T20:31:33.338-04:00Bigots Deserve Access to Development Workers Too<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCg0QMTgLwzBVefT4aU39BJREzBFK_H7JN7M_CyNzEEmLvO8XfxojpF7T695Q3ER9H0hvQx192kJ5vKE5bNlrB3cW9gmwLPbOPrtq5jA6TchJcArGgC6TN4C6g4sSf8_FsZdbBlOCfbpyr/s1600/DSC01696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCg0QMTgLwzBVefT4aU39BJREzBFK_H7JN7M_CyNzEEmLvO8XfxojpF7T695Q3ER9H0hvQx192kJ5vKE5bNlrB3cW9gmwLPbOPrtq5jA6TchJcArGgC6TN4C6g4sSf8_FsZdbBlOCfbpyr/s320/DSC01696.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">Ña Annastasia showing the abonos verde carnavalia intercropped with mandioca </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">(This photo is </span><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">completely</span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;"> unrelated to this blog post... but I like it anyways)</span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: small;">.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I looked at my facebook page recently, and I realized just
how… well, gay it had become. Well over
half the links I post are about equal rights, and lgbt news stories. It didn’t used to be that way. In the States, due to my open-minded
community, loving family and accepting college town, being queer was not
something I thought about that much. It
simply wasn’t a big deal. I rarely considered if and how being queer influenced
my interactions with people, my safety, or my future. Liking women (and men) was part of who I was,
but it wasn’t a big part. Occasionally I might sign a petition or speak up in a
conversation if it seemed necessary, but all-in-all I was very casual in my
lgbt identity. Because it was rarely something I felt ostracized for, it was
never something about which I sought support.
But as a Peace Corps volunteer, I have to be closeted in site in order
to productively do the development work I came here to do. So now, perhaps due to being closeted, if I’m
lucky enough to have an internet signal, I find myself trolling Huffington Post
Gay news section for hopeful or shocking news stories. I have started to closely follow equal rights
issues in the states (ex: repeal of DADT, North Carolina amendment banning
same-sex marriage, President Obama public support for marriage equality). I
have become more interested in the advancement of equal rights and acceptance because
I now feel the lack of them. Ironically,
having to <a href="http://lgbrpcv.org/2012/01/28/building-my-own-closet-in-paraguay/" target="_blank">hide my sexuality</a> has made my sexuality more central to my identity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the absolute most important reasons to be out, is
that people begin to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/08/same-sex-marriage_n_1581702.html?ref=gay-voices" target="_blank">revise their bigoted opinions</a>, when they realize they
actually personally know someone who is gay.
When it comes to votes, and rights, they realize that their actions will
directly affect someone one they know as a person, not just as a
sexuality. One of the questions I
struggled with for a while, was why doesn’t this apply in Paraguay? Shouldn’t I open here for the same reason I’m
open in Indiana?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I realized that it doesn’t apply because as an agriculture
volunteer, I am here to work with <b>everyone</b>
who has degraded soil on their farm. <b>Bigots deserve access to development
workers too.</b> There are already so
many barriers to over come to get someone to try something new on their farm,
why add something else? I’m not
Catholic, but I don’t advertise that to the community for the same reason. In order to work with as many people as I
can, I want to present as few barriers as possible. If I were to come out at the end of my
service, or several years from now when I come back for a visit, the community
will know me as a person. They will know
the work I did. They will have to
reconcile, the person they know with the sexuality they object to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By not being out, I am able to reach more people and be more
effective. But it means I am not able to
be a resource for the lgbt youth and adults that live in the community. No one is out, but I have my suspicions about
a few folks. I can’t be a role model for
them, because they don’t know what we have in common. I can’t come out to them, because it could
compromise my position in the community (one well-worn strategy for deflecting
suspicion off your self is to become an out-spoken homophobic ass (ex:<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"> </span>Ted
Haggard, George Rekers, etc). This is
the hardest part about not being out in site.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There <b>is</b> gay
rights movement in Paraguay. Things are
changing especially amongst the youth and in the larger towns and cities. But out here in the campo, there is still a
long way to go. Poco a poco, I guess.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am about to head back to the States for a much needed
vacation. I had heard it said that
things pick up in the second year, and that is definitely what has happened for
me. I am involved in things at site. There are things I wish I spent less time
doing (English classes), and things I wish I spent more time doing (abonos
verdes, gardens). But I’m just glad to
feel kind of busy for once. Every so
often there are mile stones, that I don’t always write about. For example, an old host brother of mine,
shyly ask me for information on STI and condoms. I was delighted that he trusted me enough to
ask for the information, and did my best to bombard him with the information I
had (especially sense health isn’t my sector). Its been 20 months since I came to Paraguay and
I have undergone many changes here. I know
my two week vacation is not enough time to really find out, but wonder how
those changes will effect my interaction with American culture.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
See you soon America.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Sorry, this is not my best written or focused blog
post. I promise I’m full of ligament
excuses. But I figured I should post it
now, and take advantage of the good internet while I could).<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-13483933638315810412012-05-05T21:22:00.001-04:002012-05-05T21:26:00.897-04:00Pets: The Life and Death of Campo Mascotas.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURDH2fCAO1bMupCrNSehZvagIFQQ8PxtUrRukrWz_Zw5D_2iD3XRdQ8UdRUxkezrl0BxdfWT6LeXyVtJsD6515maxWl5Oy1OKxwYv9eg8fEO3nIR9Kpei1thRaYUZHH5C43iC4vvp4TcX/s1600/DSC01449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURDH2fCAO1bMupCrNSehZvagIFQQ8PxtUrRukrWz_Zw5D_2iD3XRdQ8UdRUxkezrl0BxdfWT6LeXyVtJsD6515maxWl5Oy1OKxwYv9eg8fEO3nIR9Kpei1thRaYUZHH5C43iC4vvp4TcX/s320/DSC01449.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Carrot. Such a wonderful, faithful little dog.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
A month ago, in the midst of a busy week at site, tragedy
struck. My dog, Carrot, died. And it was my fault. I went in to Santani on Friday, and Carrot
the dog, followed me to the ruta like she always does. This in and of itself is dangerous and is
something I should have trained her out of doing long ago. But I always rather like the company on the
long walk to the ruta, and the usually extended wait for the bus. But this last time I went to the ruta, I
walked down the highway a bit to find a shadier spot to sit and wait. Carrot accompanied me, brining her in much
closer proximity to the racing trucks and motos that she normally gets. Apparently, moments after the bus arrived and
I left for Santani, a truck sailed by instantly killing her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The family at the ruta where I leave my bike told me of her
fate once I returned. Someone else at
the ruta had a car and we brought her back to my house. Later that day, I picked a nice shady spot
under the trees in my front yard with a good view, and buried her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
I still think having a dog was one of the best decisions, in
terms of my mental health, that I made here.
Having a dog who would be beside herself with joy when ever I came home,
meant that no matter how my day had gone, it always got a little better. Dogs also help create a structure and a rough
schedule to life. Although out here in
the campo, dogs are pretty self sufficient.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZsR5jnlGmR8zIBN1v6LzTfFlvaZhOzKDilwPjBfOkWqqeMEGo5kXAx_tSt8x4Y9eXEhRxWejqUkupFa5mYSfW3t6mhZrdNpkTjxJI-qO0jYQxf8mlPZlIoBFoqpOadyICqqoeV0ZJGt1/s1600/DSC00345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZsR5jnlGmR8zIBN1v6LzTfFlvaZhOzKDilwPjBfOkWqqeMEGo5kXAx_tSt8x4Y9eXEhRxWejqUkupFa5mYSfW3t6mhZrdNpkTjxJI-qO0jYQxf8mlPZlIoBFoqpOadyICqqoeV0ZJGt1/s320/DSC00345.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Berenjena when she was just a pup.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
I had another dog before Carrot, named Berenjena. But she eventually decided to live at my host
family’s house instead of mine. So now
she is their dog. The only thing that
stuck, was the name. However, even
Bejenjena might be on her way out of this world. She refuses to eat most of the time (she wont
eat the carne my host family gives her, or the dog food I try to feed her on
the rare occasions she deigns to visit my house). I gave her drops in case she had stomach worms
but it had no effect. My host father
said he looked into Berenjena’s eyes and saw death. He predicts she will not live for much
longer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
If Berenjena dies, I will have lost two dogs and one cat
during my time in Paraguay (I had a cat-not pictured- for a short time last year, but it disappeared in August
and never returned. I assume it
died). That is not a very good track
record. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Its not all bad. I
have had a wonderful cat for several months now, named Perejil. He seems healthy and happy in my house. However due the fate most of my pets seem to
face, I was hesitant to get another dog… But an English speaking Paraguayan
friend of mine offered me a little female puppy, and I just couldn’t say
no… I have named her Pepper. She is very very adorable. Tonight is her first night in my house!</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsds-Ixoaq0HE2Jnk_H3R7xzqKyAU5bPoPRgg1bCdq5OdgLx13PoYqzeIhkOmhz6S_DDl2t47QQR2MkG30FQcHdUyVESWeJ9kEgBgZkRng3bA0tKBUUoAp4J3B1MDVNcNctLOm_oE21qtC/s1600/DSC01705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsds-Ixoaq0HE2Jnk_H3R7xzqKyAU5bPoPRgg1bCdq5OdgLx13PoYqzeIhkOmhz6S_DDl2t47QQR2MkG30FQcHdUyVESWeJ9kEgBgZkRng3bA0tKBUUoAp4J3B1MDVNcNctLOm_oE21qtC/s320/DSC01705.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearly Perejil enjoys the space heater as much as I do.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWmPrbfNILm0N7rk3KnFBTClqNQB7aFXfN8BJ4OKcQGF4jgr3LM5E7CmSegkkHSp35zhj5ZsO1FXpGaUD7YN71v2KL5s10KrrsH9AwJRwgIu5ij45QsrWALiDSyA7woMQcsl5JnrB-BU7/s1600/DSC01709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWmPrbfNILm0N7rk3KnFBTClqNQB7aFXfN8BJ4OKcQGF4jgr3LM5E7CmSegkkHSp35zhj5ZsO1FXpGaUD7YN71v2KL5s10KrrsH9AwJRwgIu5ij45QsrWALiDSyA7woMQcsl5JnrB-BU7/s320/DSC01709.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new dog! Se llama Pepper.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-50395505165897022442012-04-25T23:58:00.000-04:002012-04-28T11:50:06.214-04:00Fiesta Patronal, Semana Santa and Chipa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Its been a busy few months at site, so I don’t have a proper
blog post for you. This will be a blog
post in photo form, with a few clarifying comments for each photo. The first 6 photos are from the Fiesta Patronal (Patron Saints Day) for my community. San Jose, March 19th. The other 8 photos are from Semana Santa (Holy Week). Thats they week leading up to easter, which in many Latin American countries, is actually more important than Easter Sunday itself.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Fiesta Patronal</u></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5SjqIpLzNogHBknuGzbLkxPfKNAua19rnWaYDJTWovdl5aPPotqeQoE2tSxdxlcUSR11iUoCzbJvyOpm_CXbGhII_6ueHPf2rMFRqB7Fdbk0dQdKfkcC-2WI95srrfsrbUgH61Q0suYf/s1600/DSC01519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5SjqIpLzNogHBknuGzbLkxPfKNAua19rnWaYDJTWovdl5aPPotqeQoE2tSxdxlcUSR11iUoCzbJvyOpm_CXbGhII_6ueHPf2rMFRqB7Fdbk0dQdKfkcC-2WI95srrfsrbUgH61Q0suYf/s320/DSC01519.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">I included this photo because of the grain plants on the priest's stole. Super appropriate for such an agricultural society.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIUPXbusSUhcwX24JWsvYmpFtMwecsdjP9PeWodiROojbqf2laCSFMT-faenu1VrRWhDqeUxGpfqsBNxMr4uHb-VXGE-mQdPsJDROsezQ5ZOc_csAlgtxyqzV_GyYFOo6dYx_UfrEb5IF/s1600/DSC01520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CgUS-epAFbywFF1Oo_dQze5ggJCbffiy1WIvtDJwMKIBINfTRh00okoqilEv_ewVBae5DZaHsw13q8izLLit8GL4azOKNwpPb5LcVtFgrW16GgQ9bwn4h0Tbl8EiOYX7qbswq6oWuZq1/s1600/DSC01533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CgUS-epAFbywFF1Oo_dQze5ggJCbffiy1WIvtDJwMKIBINfTRh00okoqilEv_ewVBae5DZaHsw13q8izLLit8GL4azOKNwpPb5LcVtFgrW16GgQ9bwn4h0Tbl8EiOYX7qbswq6oWuZq1/s320/DSC01533.jpg" width="240" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIUPXbusSUhcwX24JWsvYmpFtMwecsdjP9PeWodiROojbqf2laCSFMT-faenu1VrRWhDqeUxGpfqsBNxMr4uHb-VXGE-mQdPsJDROsezQ5ZOc_csAlgtxyqzV_GyYFOo6dYx_UfrEb5IF/s320/DSC01520.jpg" width="240" /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="text-align: center;">The babys of the community got </span><span style="text-align: center;">baptized</span><span style="text-align: center;">. Their </span><span style="text-align: center;">families</span><span style="text-align: center;"> are so </span><span style="text-align: center;">proud</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lbg0qdUlcr2b5BMpT5SFMlsoMj_chwS14ytLZrrK13fFZHDOi5DPIUWIQpo6hH5XAHbMeqvyKFTHFtNcow-oBbWwR_tN6CCDATT9RJad-2M24PKuUpKVhgLzgEmhv6AOeWcpQInnlZgu/s1600/DSC01546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lbg0qdUlcr2b5BMpT5SFMlsoMj_chwS14ytLZrrK13fFZHDOi5DPIUWIQpo6hH5XAHbMeqvyKFTHFtNcow-oBbWwR_tN6CCDATT9RJad-2M24PKuUpKVhgLzgEmhv6AOeWcpQInnlZgu/s320/DSC01546.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The women of the community cooking lots of food for everyone. They were really flattered that I wanted to photograph them while they worked. Cooking is something they take pride in, but it is not very frequently acknowledged.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCBpU8e_DQHJnPHrBQHj1KmZs27MWnYHJdOK0BBD5IyjDVwnj2R-PsvzHx0oXZJopxHSx2_VPG80r-dbPV2U21LVxw0x4o9BNJbDtqYQKvki4YH_0zVmtbZnEldW79LH8XG4Vzj8RFBO-/s320/DSC01539.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much food!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-esBIkSCVJ8AFncCR3RsqFzFNoYHV-YbwWMK4YAk-dHbdymnGEMV9smTySkTxh-DyPqriBsN01zrfh7fRXbaDKz4zH9k9neTD2uIQtkl7Q7Fce5lKgskB_XApUaoot_7nhcARmBKacf9/s1600/DSC01545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-esBIkSCVJ8AFncCR3RsqFzFNoYHV-YbwWMK4YAk-dHbdymnGEMV9smTySkTxh-DyPqriBsN01zrfh7fRXbaDKz4zH9k9neTD2uIQtkl7Q7Fce5lKgskB_XApUaoot_7nhcARmBKacf9/s320/DSC01545.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Na Oheniea and some of her grand children.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCBpU8e_DQHJnPHrBQHj1KmZs27MWnYHJdOK0BBD5IyjDVwnj2R-PsvzHx0oXZJopxHSx2_VPG80r-dbPV2U21LVxw0x4o9BNJbDtqYQKvki4YH_0zVmtbZnEldW79LH8XG4Vzj8RFBO-/s1600/DSC01539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><u>Now on to <span style="text-align: left;">Semana Santa... and CHIPA!</span></u></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Z__mGeFYQARCqEyeexZKzLx6ZaSS4SD-Y3NLOnwzbJ9UYCDFDY8ngIcI9R5EDFUHmGuBGfvIXRHT5riZ7na_KK3o1ReBjHAqHwLAftXkCaE4N7oU7Ci_fuuT8-LZ4dx3AhqWlZkyNd43/s320/DSC01600.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made the traditional food for Semana Santa: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheese_bun">chipa.</a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Z__mGeFYQARCqEyeexZKzLx6ZaSS4SD-Y3NLOnwzbJ9UYCDFDY8ngIcI9R5EDFUHmGuBGfvIXRHT5riZ7na_KK3o1ReBjHAqHwLAftXkCaE4N7oU7Ci_fuuT8-LZ4dx3AhqWlZkyNd43/s1600/DSC01600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjsEidobFQ44Nefm0p0fPpB6lQOGCUQytPmu5yywCIKM0SMN8f8sHF0ctvDmuxFPWsbDCInBx0xCNpsaIFombMyBKdmXqaY4Pz7QPI2Ezk2wm2o4G3Jles2xoy3FSdmVN6aOkDSi_hTUd/s1600/DSC01615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjsEidobFQ44Nefm0p0fPpB6lQOGCUQytPmu5yywCIKM0SMN8f8sHF0ctvDmuxFPWsbDCInBx0xCNpsaIFombMyBKdmXqaY4Pz7QPI2Ezk2wm2o4G3Jles2xoy3FSdmVN6aOkDSi_hTUd/s320/DSC01615.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimo5FPn5q5Nhqpct2f_L7otrgu3q7jvtJgjxKj5T7aWxATT6AFnM92KDKh7U-Ekx6QWDIdpvItEHdsY469jp-KsNRgcP_rnXZsTNur_Fqy9UgS3_dkDO8qx8OzV0_oVkqrUBRmUcNPGTSa/s1600/DSC01608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimo5FPn5q5Nhqpct2f_L7otrgu3q7jvtJgjxKj5T7aWxATT6AFnM92KDKh7U-Ekx6QWDIdpvItEHdsY469jp-KsNRgcP_rnXZsTNur_Fqy9UgS3_dkDO8qx8OzV0_oVkqrUBRmUcNPGTSa/s320/DSC01608.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look! My name in chipa!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlveEjQ5XUmxncF0Rir5_7rf87ozrJfl0XkKjpaNTbXL5zdWCpvkcEgaLXXzI7oJhgIKrirlowVguxoZtahyphenhyphenV1k1m1W3X2pI711dYZrtgGQLAXWKKx4J75UKWFNEEXPJJBg8n7lvz8He1D/s1600/DSC01610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlveEjQ5XUmxncF0Rir5_7rf87ozrJfl0XkKjpaNTbXL5zdWCpvkcEgaLXXzI7oJhgIKrirlowVguxoZtahyphenhyphenV1k1m1W3X2pI711dYZrtgGQLAXWKKx4J75UKWFNEEXPJJBg8n7lvz8He1D/s320/DSC01610.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a tatakua. Basically a brick oven especially for Paraguayan specialties... like chipa.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_pOLegZRCfz0s11y0lRA5qrdra2_J8krXl2JeAAktE6t9u7K13WS277qYVWv9ZmvsfDsHUWZMQcWcoalg2nemgWJWEYr3I3tQbDuvzM8XiAYp5OPge4skllZG2qEDXnSUmQBhxLYdfq8/s1600/DSC01611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_pOLegZRCfz0s11y0lRA5qrdra2_J8krXl2JeAAktE6t9u7K13WS277qYVWv9ZmvsfDsHUWZMQcWcoalg2nemgWJWEYr3I3tQbDuvzM8XiAYp5OPge4skllZG2qEDXnSUmQBhxLYdfq8/s320/DSC01611.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baking the chipa.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGkRxoNPfqulvnhr2zVVJDvjNoLGRF-aZ1TiU_SEgV7yvaDSe7PAgOHIxLajdCpJkBCG8DqY7BVoja_TYzbBEEVvLZA-Lyq8AqExLD5fHg3V5jlNGhhyphenhyphenPVjddd39B2MSCa_Cw3vRxOc-J/s1600/DSC01612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGkRxoNPfqulvnhr2zVVJDvjNoLGRF-aZ1TiU_SEgV7yvaDSe7PAgOHIxLajdCpJkBCG8DqY7BVoja_TYzbBEEVvLZA-Lyq8AqExLD5fHg3V5jlNGhhyphenhyphenPVjddd39B2MSCa_Cw3vRxOc-J/s320/DSC01612.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More chipa...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcI_dSJyagUw4yA5PS0QkO76QoWW7Wrzveo4at8o1RDHFqLh_S82G6ZSGtGH8O2eJqCt4sUQHd-asFLdAfp9X_rYCDauHaaxnm2K59FcIJsVOlnRZtKQ3qLnTyhaVsTEE3Re3odUM0Av4/s1600/DSC01626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcI_dSJyagUw4yA5PS0QkO76QoWW7Wrzveo4at8o1RDHFqLh_S82G6ZSGtGH8O2eJqCt4sUQHd-asFLdAfp9X_rYCDauHaaxnm2K59FcIJsVOlnRZtKQ3qLnTyhaVsTEE3Re3odUM0Av4/s320/DSC01626.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Thursday of Semana Santa (the biggest meal of the week), I ate dinner with my favorit host family.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJ-bGtnur_gMqhiv1EfB8Si4gMfNraRS1mXBV5i-MJkL8B2bg9MFsdzDVtJbKd6h_Vic8aaE_YUph2Zhgg5XLnmqUfWGO1CzywWZWMsRcUAxLKTPcuhnPz0BrbAXJEtaiHpIAVe0DE8Rz/s1600/DSC01623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJ-bGtnur_gMqhiv1EfB8Si4gMfNraRS1mXBV5i-MJkL8B2bg9MFsdzDVtJbKd6h_Vic8aaE_YUph2Zhgg5XLnmqUfWGO1CzywWZWMsRcUAxLKTPcuhnPz0BrbAXJEtaiHpIAVe0DE8Rz/s320/DSC01623.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A modest but delicious spread of bbq chicken, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sopa_paraguaya">sopa paraguaya</a> (not actually a soup), mandioca (yucca) and soda. After lunch we snacked on... you guessed it: chipa.</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-83816383081471570962012-03-26T16:25:00.003-03:002012-04-28T22:44:23.495-04:00Dont Look Too Closely or The Story of the Horse Spider<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It all started calmly enough. I was sitting on my bed, messing around on my computer. I was enjoying the guilt-free lazy day created by the rain. Normally during the summer, we get plenty of these days where everything grinds to a halt due to rain. But thanks to the drought, this was only the second one I had had in months. It officially fall, so I doesn’t really count as a lazy summer day anyway.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, as I said, I was messing around on facebook, reading news articles on various websites, and trying to find PCVs in Peru who I could visit on my planed vacation in July/ August. Out of the corner of my eye, about three feet away, I see something crawl out from underneath my rompero (dresser). I assume, of course, that it is one of the frog/toads that have been infesting my house by scores for the past few months, or at worst it might be a mouse (although it was moving far too slowly).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Oh how wrong I was.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All of that flashed through my mind as a turned my head slightly to the left to see what it was. It was NOT at frog, toad, or mouse. It was, in fact, a TARANTULA. A very large, very hairy, tarantula.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am not afraid of much, however spiders (and snakes and loud peals of thunder) terrify me in a profound way. I screamed (loudly) several times, and as soon as I unfroze myself I ran next door. I shakily clapped my hands (clapping hands outside a house is equivalent to ringing a door bell), and when my neighbors immerged I stammered “<span lang="ES-TRAD">hay un </span><span lang="ES-TRAD">ñandu kavaju en me dormitorio!</span>” Which translates in jopara (Spanish Guarani mix) to “there is a horse spider [tarantula] in my bedroom!” I was literarily shaking, and clutching my sweatshirt up by my neck with both hands.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Did you kill it?” my neighbor, Heronimo, asked. I shake my head.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Do you want me to kill it?” I nod my head. His señora laughs as he grabs his machete and we head back to my house.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I give him a flashlight, mumble something along the lines of “abajo de el rombero” (beneath the dresser), and point a trembling hand in that direction. Heronimo, peers underneath the dresser, and suggests we move my suitcase and banjo case, which are wedged between the rompero and the wall.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I say “Oima, pero, no puedo ayudarte. Tengo demasiado miedo” (Okay, but I can’t help you. I am too afraid.) . And its true I can’t make myself go near that corner of the room, and its not a very big room to begin with. Hernonimo moves the items and placed them on my bed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-style: normal;">I, not wanting to be touch the floor incase </span><i>it</i> runs out from beneath my belongings, crouch on a chair by the other corner. This perch allows me to see, what he is doing, but stay relatively safe (or so I convince myself).<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Ah, there’s the horse spider” he says in Guarani, and delicately chops the thing partly in half. Heronimo picks it up with the tip of the machete, and takes it outside. I remain quaking on my ridiculous chair perch, as he fills in the hole it probably entered through with brick, and puts my belongings back in the corner.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He grins and says “they can’t kill you, but they are dangerous.” I am so grateful, that my thank you don’t seem like enough. I don’t have much food in the house (I’m planning doing a shopping in town tomorrow assuming it doesn’t rain), so look around and finally give him a bug repellent incense spiral that his señora likes to use sometimes. I’m sure they think I am crazy, but I am just so appreciative that that <i>thing</i> is gone. I ask Heronimo if he things there are more tarantulas in my house. His eyes dart underneath my bed, and he says “ikatu” (there might be, maybe), and he heads back to his house.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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I think the last time I was this scared was when I got stuck at the top of a double Farris wheel (picture an “8” going around in circles), by myself. I was probably 12 years old. I’m not nearly as frightened of spiders as I was when I first arrived in Paraguay. I am able to kill most of them with out to much fuss using a shoe. But <span lang="ES-TRAD">ñandu kavaju, </span>are just a different class of terrifying.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In many ways, I feel like I am fairly tough by both American and Paraguayan standards. I am not afraid to travel in foreign countries or to cities by myself. I have no problem living by myself, and I’m not afraid of the dark (two very common earnest questions from my community). I can smash or sweep out (almost) all manner of bugs, and will pick up and toss into the yard frog/toads without even thinking about it (many Paraguayans seem to fear, or be discussed by, frog/toads). I am not afraid to swim and no longer have a fear of heights. I can kill and prepare a chicken. I’ll eat anything once, and don’t have a problem dealing with blood, vomit or other bodily fluids. Roaches and bats hardly make an impression on me at all.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In other words, I am normally not a cowardly person. But dang if that “horse spider” didn’t humble me. Its been two hours and my heart has finally stopped racing and the adrenaline has left me. I feel the blood running back to my extremities. I’m still a little twitchy. My eyes are darting to any shadow that seems to move, and I definitely gave a little yelp when my dog sneezed, and another one when a frog/toad jumped into the room.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m trying not to think about the fact that <i>they</i> can climb (a fact I hadn’t thought about until a friend, trying to sympathize, mentioned she had found one on her pillow, a few months ago). I’m trying not to think about the fact that if I need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, I’m going to have to cross the path where the “horse spider” crawled. In fact I cant physically put more than a yard and a half between me and the rompero from whence <i>it</i> came.</div>
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Sorry there is no photo with this post. It would have been bleary anyway.</div>
</div>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-11840583050669108082012-03-14T16:53:00.004-03:002012-03-14T21:03:53.909-03:00Solitude, Cotton, and Luffas<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> 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mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNT1uTLc65WX56gWYqvIanTI4BsYzHgFscMFKlS9ERGVX-9tmtL30EbVF3jq_7yZWOBd5cecCtEk5k0JYPghy51uXrGxPkuB_qJStEjr-qHGzjw-kmFeDDZq4MAm2iZCAhR_9l_hGXqMHP/s320/DSC01446.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719888379874975362" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><span style="text-align: left; text-indent: 48px; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">Clearly I am the best </span><span style="text-align: left; text-indent: 48px; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">source</span><span style="text-align: left; text-indent: 48px; font-family: Georgia, serif; "> of entertainment for miles around. I miss privacy. </span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><b>Solitude and Judgment.<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; "><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">It has taken me several weeks to decide</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> to post this update, mostly because it is rather pessimistic in tone (its not completely negative so keep reading to the end!). Its suggested in training, that we limit our most negative thoughts to our journals and not blog or write letters home about it. Still I felt it was important to express some of my frustrations, disappointments and worries here, because those, along with the good things, are part of the Peace Corps experience too. Frequently when people talk about the Peace Corps they give you a cursory warning, along the lines of the famous “the hardest job you’ll ever love” line. But there are some significant changes that can happen to people, especially when they are strong enough, healthy enough, and busy enough to stay in site for long stretches of time. For example, I feel myself becoming a more solitary, pensive person. I spend a lot of my time at site sitting and listening to other people while I struggle to communicate an idea, plan or joke. I DO talk to people, but I also spend a lot of time just hearing words fall over me as I try and peace together the meaning. Additionally I spend my nights and siestas alone. I am at once lonely, and intensely grateful to finally have some privacy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in; "><span style="font-style: normal; ">Recently, when I’m in Asuncion and have gotten to hanging out with volunteers, I find myself speaking less and less. I hear their words wash over me too. I understand the words, but I don’t necessarily participate or sympathize. I don’t know what this means. Does it mean I feel like I can relate to them less? If that’s the case, what the crap is going to happen when I am back in the states? Will I still be able to relate to people and their “problems?” Already I get almost angrily condescending when I read facebook posts about a new sale at Target, or frustration at Red Lobster for raising their prices. “</span><i>Who cares? Are these seriously the biggest concerns in your life?</i>” I think. Then again, most of MY updates are about the Paraguayan drought, and honestly, I know most facebook friends couldn’t care less.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in; ">I feel similar resentment/anger at the small number of volunteers who appear to be doing nothing with their time here, and <i>don’t care</i> about the fact that they are doing nothing. Plenty of volunteers <i>feel</i> unproductive. But the vast majority of them worry about this, try to do better and end up doing great work in their communities. But a few people, not many, but a few, seem like they are just here for a goldstar on their resume.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><b>Art and Cotton.</b><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in; ">A few weeks ago I hosted a very successful art camp with Maddy, another volunteer. It was a chance for kids in the community to exercise their creativity, something that doesn’t happen very often in a school system based on rout memorization and an artistic tradition of imitation (I tried to find a link that discussed the history of Guarani artists in the Jesuit Missions, but had no luck). I plan on having an art day once a month during the school year, which started up again in the last week of February. I had had several kids who promised they would come to the art camp not show up. I initially was frustrated, but latter discovered that they were unable to come because they had been picking cotton all day in the 100 degree heat. In fact, even though the school year has started, not many students are the schools currently due to the cotton harvest. In agricultural communities, kids are always going to be doing some sort of farm work. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The problem arises when children’s educational opportunities are limited due to their need to work. Working on a family farm is one thing, working on the community’s <i>patron’s</i> field for money is another.<o:p></o:p></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6Uy1qG55kfcbjSC6n35re8VE-OIY5QJSq2P9gp6rCI4v5MWtl3mNICVtIasIis2yi2UeBrdC8sinJNwN26rsMrCR7hGgPBQdUh-r-U89dY6t-AC-uw5K2_lyRCWR2obvgkhGrCaT19ek/s1600/DSC01444.JPG" style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6Uy1qG55kfcbjSC6n35re8VE-OIY5QJSq2P9gp6rCI4v5MWtl3mNICVtIasIis2yi2UeBrdC8sinJNwN26rsMrCR7hGgPBQdUh-r-U89dY6t-AC-uw5K2_lyRCWR2obvgkhGrCaT19ek/s320/DSC01444.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719888372935539314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 48px; "><span >The moster masks from art camp.</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7sBT0R7x7JhsYw-317kaAUni5Hzpb1mnMdkOUjIos8H1soyT93LTR8RGHVlJAmaqfn8DwazyJo0Zf_oswrJUolCcC3WUXDWyd48LymhKQHD2ZN5rPXDMAiFvNiiV4Ba9xPzaevvayv59/s1600/DSC01438.jpg" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7sBT0R7x7JhsYw-317kaAUni5Hzpb1mnMdkOUjIos8H1soyT93LTR8RGHVlJAmaqfn8DwazyJo0Zf_oswrJUolCcC3WUXDWyd48LymhKQHD2ZN5rPXDMAiFvNiiV4Ba9xPzaevvayv59/s320/DSC01438.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719888369886538962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span >My friend and fellow PCV Maddy reading to the kids at camp.</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><b>An Amusing Story About Long Green Vegetables.<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.5in; ">Several months ago, I planted zucchini, cucumber, and luffa plants all around the same time. I then promptly forgot where I planted each vegetable. Eventually I had several vines climbing around my garden with large, heavy green fruit. I ate one, and it was a delicious, delicious cucumber. That particular vine died, but I thought nothing of it, seeing as how all the other vines were taking over my garden and I was clearly soon going to have cucumbers coming out of my ears. Shortly thereafter I picked another long, heavy green fruit. It tasted AWFUL. <i>Clearly not a cucumber</i>. Undeterred, I try another one, only this time sautéing it in butter and salt, that makes anything taste good, right? Wrong. It was still AWFUL. <i>Clearly not a </i>zucchini. Frustrated and confused, I asked a Paraguayan friend who came to visit me, why my cucumbers and zucchini were so nasty. He looked at me and said “those are <i><span lang="ES-TRAD">esponja vegetal</span></i> (luffa) plants… Your not supposed to eat them.” So this afternoon, after several months of waiting, I finally had my first shower using a sponge I grew myself! Guess what all my Peace Corps friends are going to be getting for their birthdays? After all, how many sponges can one person really use? After my shower I had a nice cool glass of lemonade squeezed from the lemons on the tree in my front yard. <i><span lang="ES-TRAD">Que tranquillo</span></i>. Despite the frustrations and worries I have with Peace Corps and myself, overall things are pretty great.</p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPCUx5FQn5fiBRt-dUha36hYZhnD0H_jNTsHjryzXxOLqT8qbkHnLsHkS2RwcrLn8-VF-6y5WUqHnFriluMDBHczJhQDPKE6K4iduuUka0bogQabea4ZvB6u9w03Sw-FrTd1FZzisLQ_r/s1600/DSC01455.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPCUx5FQn5fiBRt-dUha36hYZhnD0H_jNTsHjryzXxOLqT8qbkHnLsHkS2RwcrLn8-VF-6y5WUqHnFriluMDBHczJhQDPKE6K4iduuUka0bogQabea4ZvB6u9w03Sw-FrTd1FZzisLQ_r/s320/DSC01455.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719888388453369346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span >My first successful luffa harvest, pictured after the skin has been peeled away... clearly NOT a cucumber.</span></div><br /></div>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-54506518273434589652012-02-18T18:35:00.009-03:002012-02-18T20:13:08.774-03:00Everything is Falling Into Place<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPKGTExtt5Jv4HKKCeXfKTMBWCS8GIZl8NRQSVkO4dfkjSX_BiUFR102fRmZPtdjOID1f5uxNrWBzqgO_pvKTPa5ZsOOJZbaj82zeX-lDMfmzrMNyyruyIKMwB_6IuMyCswhGVOkGy77c/s1600/DSC01349.JPG" style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPKGTExtt5Jv4HKKCeXfKTMBWCS8GIZl8NRQSVkO4dfkjSX_BiUFR102fRmZPtdjOID1f5uxNrWBzqgO_pvKTPa5ZsOOJZbaj82zeX-lDMfmzrMNyyruyIKMwB_6IuMyCswhGVOkGy77c/s320/DSC01349.JPG" border="0" alt="" 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mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; "><b>This is an I’m-so-freaking-happy-in-my-community blog entry.<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; ">I have been having these days recently, where I just feel pleased and hopeful about my role here (its not perfect, see end of post). It’s great to feel that way, and so I thought I should write a little blog post about it. After a year and 2 month in site, here is what’s going on.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; "><b style="font-size: 100%; ">Language</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">My language has gotten to the point where I can really talk to people, and joke, and be fairly honest about my thoughts and feelings on topics. Not only has my Spanish improved dramatically (still hopeless at Guaraní, but that deserves a whole other, not nearly as uplifting, blog post), but the families I work with the most, know the idiosyncrasies of my language patterns, and therefor usually understand me when I’m butchering my way through an explanation. I have also attuned well enough to what is culturally appropriate to talk about, and what conversations I might need to steer clear of. Although, perhaps I am overly </span>cautious <span style="font-size: 100%;">when it comes to<a href="http://islemay.blogspot.com/2012/02/challenges-and-identity.html"> topics of sexuality</a></span><span style="font-size: 100%;">.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; "><b>Integration<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; ">I have been here long enough that I am not longer real exciting. I still have my strange extranjera ways, but people have gotten used to them by now. People still see and comment on everything I do, everywhere I go, and everything I buy or throwaway, but to a certain extent they do that to their neighbors too. Plus, now I also stare back at people. Finally, I have gotten to the point in my integration and language ability, that when I feel lonely or sad I don’t have to hid in my house (although sometimes I do), I can go find a neighbor I feel close to and talk and relax for awhile. It doesn’t feel like work, it feels like friendship.<span style="font-size: 100%; "> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; "><b>Work<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; ">While I’m still not doing as much “work” in my community as I would like to be doing, several things are beginning to gain momentum. Most people are interested in my advice on small things. Most of the work I manage to do is one-on-one, rather than large charlas (meeting/lecture). My summer English class is going well, mainly because the only students who bother to show up are the ones who REALLY want to learn. I built two more fogons (fuel efficient cook stoves) recently. I had helped build seven of them back in August with some high schoolers who came to my community for a month via the organization <a href="http://www.amigoslink.org/project/paraguay-san-pedro">Amigos de las Americas</a>. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LMHobPZQeyuTXMcJ-GhXbY4hJxHjCKt9nYGt5MelflOSQjIcIsJYx4CI4IpctCcqyILLhahMRnzhBca1bTbbTN6jlR-dRw0dkXTlPutiesHGUocBRFues9zARAgra4cipPy2ZcMMnIZf/s1600/DSC01356.JPG" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LMHobPZQeyuTXMcJ-GhXbY4hJxHjCKt9nYGt5MelflOSQjIcIsJYx4CI4IpctCcqyILLhahMRnzhBca1bTbbTN6jlR-dRw0dkXTlPutiesHGUocBRFues9zARAgra4cipPy2ZcMMnIZf/s320/DSC01356.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710611950501464834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; ">But this time around it was just a Peace Corps project. I built one this past month with the family it was intended for, and my friend Nate (fellow volunteer and fogone building extraordinaire). <span style="font-size: 100%; ">The second fogone, just me and the family built. </span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjafQAfXwGHnp7sopGpkijpVurn1x18KNxCLb3LZ-IbLw8qSy3zDI926ev-KBIA3BGuVQ74rwLh18MfTXz-oabvMk-_EGJqf5s0a-v62gOwtsXa8SyS_-q1MSexolFqlWcUsODl5RCwal/s1600/DSC01361.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjafQAfXwGHnp7sopGpkijpVurn1x18KNxCLb3LZ-IbLw8qSy3zDI926ev-KBIA3BGuVQ74rwLh18MfTXz-oabvMk-_EGJqf5s0a-v62gOwtsXa8SyS_-q1MSexolFqlWcUsODl5RCwal/s320/DSC01361.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710615775767721314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">I was worried about how this would go, but it ended up being a wonderful time. One of the girls in the family used to be my </span><a href="http://islemay.blogspot.com/2010/12/i-am-suerte.html" style="font-size: 100%; ">host sister</a><span style="font-size: 100%; "> so we are already pretty close. At first she watched and helped out in peripheral ways, like serving <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terere">terere</a>, and refilling the mescala (red dirt and cement) buckets. Next she started handing me bricks, and by the time we got to the chimney, she started laying the bricks down herself. She had seen her brother, father and I laying bricks the day before, and finally she wanted to try and do it herself. Bricklaying is definitely outside of normal gender roles for girls, so this felt like a victory of sorts. There needs to be more options for work if girl in the campo doesn’t want to exclusively do domestic labor all day. She was good at the job too. I, and other volunteers, are constantly doing things outside of our expected gender roles (males-cooking their own meals, cleaning their own clothes, females-bricklaying). It was interesting see the influences of those actions first hand.</span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQJAFyp9sq9ieffaEHN4RNBjJ-_XQjNnXDCSKxVFPmB3ijOkWubP5EpFY92bYy-VLdKKtfQCqj1f1DgXtlPZTMSGipswJmZK320WVcSTmtOam8eRtXPPHxvzeImEJwikkwCGofZv03yqA/s1600/DSC01364.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQJAFyp9sq9ieffaEHN4RNBjJ-_XQjNnXDCSKxVFPmB3ijOkWubP5EpFY92bYy-VLdKKtfQCqj1f1DgXtlPZTMSGipswJmZK320WVcSTmtOam8eRtXPPHxvzeImEJwikkwCGofZv03yqA/s320/DSC01364.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710615783819006962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; "><b>It’s not always sunny in Punta Suerte (actually with the drought its always freaking sunny, damn it).<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">Clearly I am happy in site. When people ask me (and the do… all the time) “Are you happy in Paraguay?” I can honestly answer yes. But sometimes its hard to be here. Sometimes I feel cut off from life in the states. Life and friends and family are passing me by while I’m stuck in Paraguay talking about how hot it is for the hundredth time this week. I’m tired of constantly having minor health problems that leave me feeling run down. I am tired of the planning involved in timing my trips to Santani well enough to insure that I have enough food (especially now that its summer and so my garden is almost completely dead. Its possible to do summer gardens but the drought has made it very difficult). I’m tired of the heat… my god, the heat. In addition to the drought, San Pedro has also had an outbreak of food-and-mouth disease... a <a href="http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=477653&Itemid=1">double </a></span><a href="http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=477653&Itemid=1">whammy</a><span style="font-size: 100%;"> of sorts. I’m sick of the damn frogs taking over my house and pooping everywhere (I trapped about 20 in a bag, but couldn’t bring myself commit frog genocide as suggested by my neighbor, so I walked down the road and released them). I miss the ease, convenience and comfort of life in the States.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; ">But I’m so glad I’m here. <i>There is nothing else I would rather be doing with my life right now</i>. I only hope I’m able to give to my community a fraction of what its given me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnEM_GUgzOVzVTKYuAc4AwJEaHNpHLzXPgCN9YwA3jixAbHKc7tqg6NFYEEn5fwVSCzP6uDJiFgESwp5Fb2jTVYNgb6DtvfOrVUvr-Y47sJwZKAlM8WQ4BCdH2kcM-bWhOiRjCMbX6CIO/s1600/DSC01332.JPG" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnEM_GUgzOVzVTKYuAc4AwJEaHNpHLzXPgCN9YwA3jixAbHKc7tqg6NFYEEn5fwVSCzP6uDJiFgESwp5Fb2jTVYNgb6DtvfOrVUvr-Y47sJwZKAlM8WQ4BCdH2kcM-bWhOiRjCMbX6CIO/s320/DSC01332.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710611913843312722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p> <!--EndFragment--></div>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-10358864195968765582012-02-05T17:13:00.000-03:002012-05-08T09:34:30.545-04:00Challenges and Identity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Im guessing most people who read my blog (if in fact anyone does *wink*), have already read this. For those who haven't, its an article I wrote about <a href="http://lgbrpcv.org/2012/01/28/building-my-own-closet-in-paraguay/" target="_blank">the challenges of being an lgbt Peace Corps volunteer in rural Paraguay</a>. I was hesitant to put the link on my blog incase it became some sort of security issue, however I think that is <i>incredibly</i> unlikely. Plus, as I explain in my little essay, the stress of being closeted at site is enough. I dont want to censer and second guess my self in other facets of my life as well. Plus I want other queer Peace Corps volunteers or future volunteers to have an idea of what their life might be like. The reality is, there is very little information out there.</div>
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Ironically, having to be closeted in my day to day life has made my sexuality a more central part of my identity that it ever was before. The very need to hide who I am has made me relies how important that part of me is.</div>
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I have lots more to say on this, but for now Ill just leave you with the <a href="http://lgbrpcv.org/2012/01/28/building-my-own-closet-in-paraguay/">link</a> to the article, and adorable photos from the pre-school graduation. The kids were dancing in boy-girl pairs, and then they were told to change partners... so most of them went to their best friends, resulting in same-sex pairs. Adorable.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqkMnD2nrKk8BOt91X5Y8kyDW4f7vufou3A7pJx1SGQ_tNX8Ia1FRjd8Hcsa4QXXJp71RBCIOyVg0WoryPJH39KaWd0-cuOJwoBR5wJt24mYbzkyDLnrxFocbG-rdAvusRCmb_sREVkE8/s1600/DSC01015.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705774673219478370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqkMnD2nrKk8BOt91X5Y8kyDW4f7vufou3A7pJx1SGQ_tNX8Ia1FRjd8Hcsa4QXXJp71RBCIOyVg0WoryPJH39KaWd0-cuOJwoBR5wJt24mYbzkyDLnrxFocbG-rdAvusRCmb_sREVkE8/s320/DSC01015.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAi8tTz6L1zVe4g3BeUW4kKzasVwmnFbJ4N8n_BnSvOBDt3p3fOxF1djF64mP5Qt7h5jXdfMIUVQGv10qBL1L9GmOwDukX4YHv_g-9gis6Sl3fANOGRDnoXvpYE9goDLmEui0AJWeymF82/s1600/DSC01014.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705774666973797394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAi8tTz6L1zVe4g3BeUW4kKzasVwmnFbJ4N8n_BnSvOBDt3p3fOxF1djF64mP5Qt7h5jXdfMIUVQGv10qBL1L9GmOwDukX4YHv_g-9gis6Sl3fANOGRDnoXvpYE9goDLmEui0AJWeymF82/s320/DSC01014.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></div>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-28244957109947746812012-02-01T17:34:00.000-03:002012-02-01T21:39:11.751-03:00Thermos Assumptions<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3fmxv3hwcIGz0Yxj9Ij5nzvKDa74F-xiXjhFVy9lpACliDw7vEcsrdCXC2OUKwF9ffn-fcA-Cjdocht89BU7ZPMWst58n3lK2CxKiyLDu5sjHGlDYYLNRcG3tKercKwBt8d-IV4HAX85/s1600/DSC01203.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3fmxv3hwcIGz0Yxj9Ij5nzvKDa74F-xiXjhFVy9lpACliDw7vEcsrdCXC2OUKwF9ffn-fcA-Cjdocht89BU7ZPMWst58n3lK2CxKiyLDu5sjHGlDYYLNRcG3tKercKwBt8d-IV4HAX85/s320/DSC01203.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704275990675474978" /><br /></a><div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal">A few weeks ago, my family left Paraguay after a three week visit. Being able to spend the holidays together was wonderful. I am happy that in the future, when I talk about Paraguay and my experience here, they will truly have an understanding of what I am saying.<o:p></o:p></p><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcvCxjqsoyZUsCOFD3C8nuhTtMVqeP7LBTVafyJvMuzcpcoy3wvGHbpDSIn3h7Lm4yyZ47DMKk5q31TcdpsRe5n0MTS9is3n7BLku8ZMsQQcQ_D-5CqbWPX2aVM1exrhw-f9LhBT1j7te/s320/DSC01187.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704310584417386130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div></div><p class="MsoNormal"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> 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On to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terere">Tereré</a>.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal">Thanks to my friend Teresa loaning us her tereré thermos (my Dad is holding it in the photo above), I was able to get my family quite devoted to the fantastically refreshing drink of the Paraguayan Summer. Also, thanks to the thermos, I felt super Paraguayan. This point was driven home, when a group of four American tourists spotted us with the thermos on a bus to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iguazu_falls">Iguazu Falls</a> (technically in Argentina, but right on the boarder of Paraguay and Brail), and started talking in English about it. They assumed we couldn’t understand them!</p><div></div><p class="MsoNormal">One of the women not so subtly pointed to the thermos and said “look! That’s for drinking <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mate_(beverage)">mate</a>.”</p><div></div><p class="MsoNormal">My mother over heard this and decided she was thirst for some tereré so we started serving ourselves. The tourists watched us serve and pass the guampa back and forth and started discussing mate.<o:p></o:p></p><div></div><p class="MsoNormal">“Do you think its tastes any good?” one girl said.</p><p class="MsoNormal">“It has drugs in it you know” another says.</p><p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal">“Really? Wow. What kind of drugs? I wonder how ad</p><p class="MsoNormal">dictive it is” says the first girl. </p><p class="MsoNormal">“You got to watch out for things like that” says a friend.</p><div></div><p class="MsoNormal">“I bet they are real addicted” says another.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">All four turn and watch us drink away.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <!--EndFragment--><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">At this point, tired of suppressing my laughter and tired of pretending I didn’t notice them staring at us, I start talking to my mother in English while watching the tourists out of the corner of my eye.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">There eyes go wide as it dawns on them that we have understood anything they have said. They look abashed and say nothing for the rest of the ride.</p><p class="MsoNormal">What was interesting about all of this, is that it was the first time (that I’m aware of) that I have been mistaken for a South American… and it was all due to the tereré thermos. To be at ease using something so iconic of the region was enough to trump my other extranjero features (skin color, Chaco sandals, hair cut). In fact they must have mistaken my whole L.L.Bean clad family for South Americans.</p> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6MCJ8H-gyJKlJTn2WvQnG9gsqNTzDYI3Qy5FnIbP3JkOj7TY0POsJZjSKRv1VrFs9ZnKPbSKMwysz0IlZn9Qrj6BjxdxJb9Hl65DqLkWA3KHje5KfhcnZ0_lIOFN5EVsPaNupl1lSikO/s320/DSC01169.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704275996673881522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><p class="MsoNormal">Granted, like any slightly caffeinated drink, it can be addictive… but honestly. They were a little quick to judge something they clearly have no knowledge of. Also, I can understand the assumption that no one will understand English in campo Paraguay; I make that assumption everyday. Infrequently a Paraguayan English teachers or a Mormon convert will prove me wrong, and will strike up a conversation. But making the assumption that no one understands English while visiting one of the biggest tourists attraction in South America is just naive.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I plan on buying my very own thermos next week.<o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--></div> <!--EndFragment--></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-2818081587875902982011-12-22T08:45:00.000-03:002012-02-01T17:33:54.522-03:00Out of Site: Virgencita de Caacupe, and the Swearing Out of G-31.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFAMgRTy0RYCSgEOYkDYtmxDXBGngTricy7t9CvZYuaCIjFVXyEsuCQGBCDGGef1RGTaL4XvrnN0W0IvoJNP7Z83A_kNl7XdnYoZlBdUCM88PxrP4HJekY1gmOn23pIzC1f58e-ib3KL3/s1600/DSC01087.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFAMgRTy0RYCSgEOYkDYtmxDXBGngTricy7t9CvZYuaCIjFVXyEsuCQGBCDGGef1RGTaL4XvrnN0W0IvoJNP7Z83A_kNl7XdnYoZlBdUCM88PxrP4HJekY1gmOn23pIzC1f58e-ib3KL3/s320/DSC01087.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704260425355538770" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">I spent several days out of site a few weeks ago (but only now have an internet connection strong enough to post this update). But thanks to some wonderful friends, I got the opportunity to do one of the most quintessential Paraguayan traditions. I participated in the pilgrimage to Caacupe. Its hard to describe the role the <a href="http://www.canal5paravision.com/paraguays-virgin-of-miracles/">Virgencita de Caacupe</a> plays in the Paraguayan culture. In the space of about a week, around 300,000 people go to Caacupe, cumulating on the 8<sup>th</sup> of December. The majority of pilgrims walk at least part of the way there. For the rest of the year, Caacupe has a population of only 42,000, and Paraguay itself only has a population of around 6,460,000. So having 300,000 people converge on one spot is phenomenal.</p><p class="MsoNormal">For me, the most fascinating part of the experience was the sensation of walking together with thousands of other people. It’s a fun, celebratory atmosphere. We walked from 9pm to 1am on the night of the 7<sup>th</sup>. Walking at night has the benefit of avoiding the intense summer heat, and considering we are walking up one of the largest hills in the country, that is important.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Many people come to pray for a miracle, or to give thanks for prayers answered in the past year. But many people (not just Yankees like me), come merely for the experience of participating in a longstanding, uniquely Paraguayan, cultural tradition.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5EX0MfPCoBW2OHxivVbyfqqdzVxwoKxN-E40w5WWUcLVPUD_OdSe40CMyEMgSnH_RU93pIRdGxiEe3jGOVdDuvNpurHyjpSVw12lgYpfLir6i4OOHD4Zrb7buC1nsjOWjFAiGzp9i1rp/s1600/DSC00037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5EX0MfPCoBW2OHxivVbyfqqdzVxwoKxN-E40w5WWUcLVPUD_OdSe40CMyEMgSnH_RU93pIRdGxiEe3jGOVdDuvNpurHyjpSVw12lgYpfLir6i4OOHD4Zrb7buC1nsjOWjFAiGzp9i1rp/s320/DSC00037.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688918935552425906" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">This photo is from a visit to the church last year. During festival de Caacupe, it was much to crowded to get past the courtyard.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I definitely want to do it again next year, and walk maybe two or three times the distance. I’m much to lazy/out of shape to do a marathon (or any sort of running honestly), but I can walk of ages! I’m also thinking about trying to bike it. Anyone want to join me?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The day after walking to Caacupe, I went to the G-31 despideda (goodbye party). I’m G-34, so G-31 was my sister G. They means they were the agriculture and environmental education group that swore in a year before us. When we swore in they had already been here a year. Now that they have sworn out, that means…. I have been in my site for a whole year, and a new Ag and EE group (G-37) has sworn in. We are now the older, more experience G! I didn’t really feel much last year when the old group swore out just as we were swearing in. After all, I hardly knew them. But this year it has been hard saying goodbye to people I have come to respect and gotten to know well. I no longer have wise seasoned Ag volunteers to turn to when I have a question (actually I still have the talented Ag coordinator). It’s the first time that a G has sworn out, and I have really felt the loss. I miss you G-31.<o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-81821885248567606242011-12-02T21:37:00.002-03:002011-12-02T22:06:26.029-03:00Love is Sopa Paraguaya<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD654ClnTHZNiWnULzQbJRp6-mduIa4zShhOyznC9gvla3nAOixsC-M7tuLx2VW42f_QH_csIrR1otqJCESknhTgsviU_SxzCAIItbTXy5RGWtNaB8JkUt-4y0htletQiA0TEg0tOOWyLN/s1600/DSC01006.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD654ClnTHZNiWnULzQbJRp6-mduIa4zShhOyznC9gvla3nAOixsC-M7tuLx2VW42f_QH_csIrR1otqJCESknhTgsviU_SxzCAIItbTXy5RGWtNaB8JkUt-4y0htletQiA0TEg0tOOWyLN/s320/DSC01006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681700534589068930" /></a> <!--[if 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mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Today was on its way to being a bad day. I stopped by a neighbors house and told him that the English class (that had been canceled last Wednesday due to a freak windstorm) was rescheduled for today at 4. I had been telling people in the community the rescheduled time sense Wednesday evening after the windstorm. Finally, this neighbor told me “you can’t have class today. Esquella San Jose is having their graduation this afternoon. No one will come to your class.” <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Despite the fact that I had told several families about the class, no one had mentioned that it conflicted with this important community wide event. No one even told me the event was going to happen. I had several people say “yes. Ill be there” when clearly they wouldn’t be able to.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">This happens frequently. People don’t want to disappoint or be rude by saying they can’t come (or they don’t understand a word I’m saying)… but that doesn’t mean there are going to show up. Honestly they same thing happened when I did turn-out for events in the States. However in the States I was able to culturally and linguistically interpret the responses better and fairly accurately gauge how likely someone was to turn up. In Paraguay, not only is it more difficult to interpret the responses people give me, but I’m also ignorant of important community events that could influence attendance.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Anyway, I thanked this neighbor for telling me and told him that the class was NOW rescheduled to Monday. I walked home incredibly frustrated and angry. Sometimes things just build up, and today was one of those days. <i>No one in the community respects me. No one even bothered to invite me to the graduation. No one wants to be involved in the things I do. Why oh why is life so hard?</i> I was emotionally over reacting to the whole thing.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Shortly thereafter, I decided go ahead and go to the graduation that was causing all the trouble.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">It was great. The families were proud and the kids were excited. The children preformed traditional Paraguayan dances. Afterwards as the families split up into groups at various tables, a señora brought be a paper plate of food. Moments latter, another señora another plate…. By the end I had five or six separate plates of empanadas, sopa Paraguaya, and mellinasa.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">It made me feel better about everything. My community cares about me. I’m awkward, I’m ignorant of things everyone knows about (and so no one thinks to tell me), I’m constantly doing strange things. But people are happy I’m here, and they want me to know that by giving me more <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sopa_paraguaya">sopa Paraguay</a> than I can possibly eat.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I left the graduation with my heart (and my bag of food) overflowing.<o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-19614888979873285832011-11-28T16:43:00.001-03:002011-11-28T17:31:49.390-03:00A sad day in Peace Corps Paraguay<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4lITWoLvli9NH5Mq0SouHTsvifWzh7FmQJUEUUu62_XM6vDe87YX8sk-Er3JynbxuuX9ML9DZpgL98dLdSic-UqrHJCfIAygrg7_y-2rG87iV6225Zt6nVpDx3kIHS6zRo1i9eBO-1hD/s1600/DSC00678.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" 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mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">There is not much I can say about the sad news of volunteer <a href="http://www.ntn24.com/news/news/us-peace-corps-volunteer-killed-paraguay-crash">Emily Balog’s death</a>. Aside from being a reminder of how delicate and fleeting human life is, it is a reminder of how far from home PC volunteers are.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Car crashes can and do happen all over the world. Hers was not a death unique to Paraguay. But to die so far away from family, after being away for so long, seems especially sad.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Aside from a brief conversation or two, I hardly knew Emily, but my thoughts are with her friends and family.</p></div>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-88983785297739648822011-11-11T16:06:00.000-03:002011-11-11T16:31:48.623-03:00How to Prepare for a Holiday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Bf2kjqvZfJsLrMJwpIN6-xjVQoHlfQXvY1sWgnhx26m4i5O7YCFxm_dsxRRhC_pkJIy8zPIj2Hk7H8nrQTCdLeoznnKPyKNYd069qAM0o8_Iz5bGMle6BOsAOnFZYNPkV2OVbtBRnQ8m/s1600/DSC00341.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Bf2kjqvZfJsLrMJwpIN6-xjVQoHlfQXvY1sWgnhx26m4i5O7YCFxm_dsxRRhC_pkJIy8zPIj2Hk7H8nrQTCdLeoznnKPyKNYd069qAM0o8_Iz5bGMle6BOsAOnFZYNPkV2OVbtBRnQ8m/s320/DSC00341.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673822870881590306" /></a><br />Sunday is the patron saint day for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Estanislao">Santani (San Estanislao)</a>, the town closest to my site. That basically means there is going to be a big, city wide, party. That’s fine, except I was planning on going to Santani this Saturday to buy materials for building cook-stoves (fagones). Apparently, most businesses will be closed to prepare for the dia patronal.<br />This illustrates an interesting cultural difference between holidays in the US and in Paraguay. In the US, usually the day before or after a holiday is a huge shopping day. Stores and advertisers encourage us to get out there and shop! Examples include “black Friday” after Thanksgiving, “last-minuet shopping” before Christmas, and Labor Day sales. The thought of being closed the day before a holiday is very foreign to US companies and consumers.<br />The stores in Santani are closed in preparation for the holiday… Preparing for a holiday dose not <i>have</i> to be about buying things. Embarrassingly, that blows my mind a bit.<br />Guess I’ll head into down Monday… unless stores will be closed to recover from the holiday. Vamos a ver.Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-24126094187585334912011-10-25T19:26:00.000-03:002011-10-25T19:59:52.618-03:00First Host Families<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYm4fA_j5WZIhvt8mo3v3MweqYiSQUBI-TAtt1Lenj7sWkZJEI_y6cNEXaIQB_jwAVXZ0sr6vKZjtZxUBMAzEHFQQJVFCajxkvgXlp4qiIde3UHTng0AEYtsilkBoiH_JFUAAuCRBx1dZ/s1600/DSC00062.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYm4fA_j5WZIhvt8mo3v3MweqYiSQUBI-TAtt1Lenj7sWkZJEI_y6cNEXaIQB_jwAVXZ0sr6vKZjtZxUBMAzEHFQQJVFCajxkvgXlp4qiIde3UHTng0AEYtsilkBoiH_JFUAAuCRBx1dZ/s320/DSC00062.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667561862836963698" /></a> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 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Paraguay, I am visiting the host family I had during training.<span> </span>I lived with them for 2 ½ months.<span> </span>They are special because they are the first Paraguayans to really interact with volunteers before we have gotten a handle on social norms, language, or even local food.<span> </span>We get off the plane in Asuncion, and (depending on what time the flight came in) we are bussed to our host communities and dropped on our host family’s doorstep.<span> </span>Volunteers are instructed to side step the possibly rocky conversations about religion, sexuality, politics or race that might come up, but other than that, we are very much our American selves.<span> </span>We haven’t yet learned that long, seemingly awkward, pauses in conversation while sipping <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terere">terer<span>é</span></a> are perfectly normal. We haven’t yet become accustomed to people wiping their mouth on the tablecloth or picking their nose publicly without shame.<span> </span>We still might feel offended or uncomfortable if someone makes an observation about our weight or skin color.<span> </span>During training, our host families see us make many a fauz pas.<span> </span>They see us react uncomfortably to situations or comments that are perfectly normal and acceptable in Paraguayan society. <span> </span>They have to deal with us accidentally doing and saying things that are perfectly normal in the USA, but inappropriate here. <span> </span>They might see us battle our first bout of homesickness… or physical sickness like continuous vomiting and diarrhea (which must be almost as bad to overhear as it is to experience). Essentially they see us at a very vulnerable stage in our time in-country.<span> </span>We are still learning the basics.<span> </span>We make mistakes with them that after a month or two in country we would never dream of making, and by the time we get placed in our permanent site, we forgot we ever had to learn.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It is hard to be a trainee, but being a host family is challenging too.<o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-63812114240871256712011-10-19T22:31:00.000-03:002011-10-19T22:56:12.918-03:00One person's trash, is another person's ground cover...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxJxR2TDGLxy-gYa_jOhQbYrtK6NG_aOWnexjbRbvVBVoER7MP57OSboZiL18PF_1BvHyPJ7ujryKiES0qcYkj2leGQ0wFkeJZeDIiB-CH3hmVAXCiwFNiTL8b7NyBvpl6nU1oGI0rgfW/s1600/DSC00675.JPG" onblur="try 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Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">One cultural difference: <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I am facing increasing pressure from my landlady/neighbor to “clean up” my yard.<span> </span>Everyone who sees my yard from the taxi driver to the refrigerator deliveryman, mentions how dirty my yard is. Now I going to set aside the fact that it is socially acceptable here for someone who hardly knows you to tell you that your looks like a disaster, and am going to talk about what is viewed as “trash.”<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I am told that my house (usually meaning yard-the overlap between ‘house’ and ‘yard’ is enough for a whole other entry) is full of trash.<span> </span>When I look around, I see wonderful shady yard with some grass and lots of weeds.<span> </span>I do not see old tin roofing, glass bottles or broken toys (like I see in most other peoples yards).<span> </span>That’s because, culturally, I view inorganic litter as trash, and organic litter as… well, weeds no mas.<span> </span>However, in Paraguay trash (<i>basura</i>) can be both organic and inorganic.<span> </span>If you tell a group of Paraguayan children to go collect a bunch of <i>basura</i>, you are likely going to end up with a pile of leaves, sticks and weeds.<span> </span>When I clean up my yard, I pick up the candy wrappers and ca<span>ñ</span>a bottles that people have tossed.<span> </span>I don’t pick the groundcover (weeds).<span> </span><i>Trash</i> is relative; its what you have learned to view as ugly.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For nearly a year now I have “cleaned” my yard as little as possible.<span> </span>When I look around, I just don’t <i>see</i> the trash like other people.<span> </span>To me personally, a yard covered by ground cover/weeds, is more <i>lindo</i> that an area picked clean and dusty with the red dirt of Paraguay.<span> </span>However, several people have informed me that I will “clean” my yard before my parents come to visit, and because I try to be culturally appropriate when possible, I am going to try to do just that.</p> <!--EndFragment-->Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-80822037794585796202011-10-16T12:33:00.000-03:002011-10-16T21:46:44.703-03:00Standfast, Buenos Aires, and other news.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil04sreOZ1w6tgdNAhzfgqQpLgb4Dt5_oym3Rc023calj3H2pp8F5e9R8Cb_JWhcGOGwG_I68TBKcHN4hV0TtVpoZVyzxdvE3atNB8sW34EpQGdF-XgJIRBQhtw1OEBvXK97tRVAN5cLUC/s1600/DSC00828.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil04sreOZ1w6tgdNAhzfgqQpLgb4Dt5_oym3Rc023calj3H2pp8F5e9R8Cb_JWhcGOGwG_I68TBKcHN4hV0TtVpoZVyzxdvE3atNB8sW34EpQGdF-XgJIRBQhtw1OEBvXK97tRVAN5cLUC/s320/DSC00828.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664243213868909554" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 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<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Now that I have regular and reliable internet access, I am going to try updating this blog similarly to a journal.<span> </span>Before I was just posting copies of my massive emails home to friends and loved ones.<span> </span>This will be a trial run.<span> </span>If, by treating this more like a journal and less like CC on an email, I end up writing in my paper journal less, I will have to reevaluate. But it should mean that my updates will be much more frequent.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now, for the hot topics I’m thinking about and dealing with currently: </p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul><li>I just got back from a Buenos Aires vacation with other volunteers.<span> </span>I’m exhausted with good food, good wine, and amazing tango. I’m also vaguely trying to plot a future that has me living in BA for a while.</li></ul><ul><li>Departmento San Pedro volunteers (like myself) are on an extended Standfast (meaning PC says we cant leave site or travel) due to the State of Exception President Lugo ratified last week.<span> </span>A State of Exception “provides civil and military authorities broad powers to detain any individual that they suspect of wrong doing. The military and National Police have been mobilized and are currently patrolling San Pedro and Concepcion Departments.”<span> </span>This sounds way more serious and scary than it actually is.<span> </span>Not much has happened, and the Standfast will probably be called off next week.<span> </span>For me, the biggest downside of this is that I don’t get a volunteer visit from the new group of PC Agriculture trainees.<span> </span>I think a trainee would have gotten a lot out of a visit here seeing as how I am:</li></ul><o:p></o:p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><ol><li>happy</li><li>in a supper authentic campo house</li><li>have a great garden</li><li>have golden nuggets of wisdom to bestow upon them</li><li>have a chuchi new bed and mattress</li></ol><div><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul><li>My garden has exploded with more vegetables than I can possibly eat.<span> </span>It has also exploded with more weeds than I can possibly pull.</li></ul><ul><li>I have successfully made banana bread several times now. It is delicious.</li></ul><ul><li>My house doesn’t have mice, just finches that flit in and out.<span> </span>I think its rather nice.</li></ul><ul><li>My land lady finally moved into a house they have been building for months.<span> </span>Unfortunately its located about 8 meters from my house.<span> </span>I planted a small fence of trees to create a sense of separation.<span> </span>Alas they are only about 4 inches tall right now. <span> </span>Maybe I have nothing to worry about. <span> </span>Vamos a ver.</li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664689405237465723.post-91127128281988618732011-09-09T11:56:00.000-04:002011-09-20T15:42:33.316-04:00Paraguay update<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; ">Time for another email!<span> </span>I made it through the long cold winter here in Paraguay, and now Spring is on its way.<span> </span>I had a wonderful three week visit from Cora, and than a fantastic month long visit from Kate.<span> </span>It was nice to have company for the long cold evenings when the sunset around 5pm.<span> </span>After nearly two months of visitors, it took me a while to get used to being here by myself again.<span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; ">At least now I can fill up my evenings with Adventures In Cooking.<span> </span>Cora left me some tasty teriyaki sauce, and Kate invented curried madioca (also known as yuca or cassava)!<span> </span>Kate also taught me how to make grilled cheese sandwiches.<span> </span>Slowly but surely, I am learning to feel myself.<span> </span>Having a garden helps this educational process.<span> </span>In order to buy food in town, I have to walk or bike 4 kilometers up hill to the ruta (highway) and wait a half hour or more for the bus.<span></span>Once Im in town, I usually have to rush a bit to get all my errands done by 2ish, so I can catch the last bus back to my community.<span> </span>Next, loaded down with all my groceries, I walk or bike (down hill this time) the 4 k back to my house.<span> </span>Because shopping is such an ordeal, I eat out of my garden whenever I can.<span> </span>I also get gifted homelaid eggs (highly valued compared to the store bought kind) and peanuts fresh from the field.<span> </span>I still haven't figured out how to cook meat, and haven't bothered to buy any. <span></span>I got gifted a live chicken by a neighbor.<span> </span>Im hoping it will eventually start to lay eggs. I have come okra and eggplant plants that Im going to have to learn how to cook. Sadly, I still have not figured out how to grow chocolate chips.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; ">Enough about food.<span> </span>My English classes are really taking off.<span> </span>During the last class, I was teaching the kids colors and we played Twister on a homemade Twister board.<span> </span>I have also ben building a lot of fagones (brick, fuel efficient cook stoves) in my site and in sites of other volunteers.<span> </span>Work seems to ebb and flow, although some of this is due to the weather.<span> </span>But things are beginning to speed back up again.<span> </span>Ill be doing some venenos caseros (homemade bug repellent) classes, and doing turnout in my community for a class my boss from Peace Corps is going to come and teach.<span> </span>Also, Ill be building more fagones and hopefully starting on a series of classes about reforestation.<span> </span>Every family that gets a fagone, also gets half a dozen trees.<span> </span>The idea is that people will see that planning a head for things like firewood can help avoid even more deforestation and soil degradation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; ">Im sure there is more to say, but this is enough for now.<span> </span>I have internet in my house now, so its finally possible for me to communicate by email easily.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; ">Until next time,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; ">-Fiona</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; ">P.S. Here are some photos for your perusal.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmqzcHMFm7OdkkaDiHGdAn45xFXHSTM30C0rNqtFQXd_IWwWo5nSMdls7ZJCzrG2JhdYtBZiTMKPlRHj-c_zpyNri2Pvccm5SLQTLEjw5UwN5S1p5hjtVX6AYrpKCfQK_Yo1XZhiRwRdj/s1600/DSC00700.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmqzcHMFm7OdkkaDiHGdAn45xFXHSTM30C0rNqtFQXd_IWwWo5nSMdls7ZJCzrG2JhdYtBZiTMKPlRHj-c_zpyNri2Pvccm5SLQTLEjw5UwN5S1p5hjtVX6AYrpKCfQK_Yo1XZhiRwRdj/s320/DSC00700.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654526344385333090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; "></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; ">Carrots from my garden, of which I am very proud.</p><p></p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPPrrHHaE6O1z-_NpBQ3ww0zwRg3RTUvuR84immnXPyLTngpRMjcq_FXaZzArNDQA8kxcTwLfQnpKfe8aDQ6j3F9izC-EOggL5I3vAFFkfIefPM5AKF5IVqLuM4-SPVjKCjtRmd-O8nF4/s1600/DSC00544.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPPrrHHaE6O1z-_NpBQ3ww0zwRg3RTUvuR84immnXPyLTngpRMjcq_FXaZzArNDQA8kxcTwLfQnpKfe8aDQ6j3F9izC-EOggL5I3vAFFkfIefPM5AKF5IVqLuM4-SPVjKCjtRmd-O8nF4/s320/DSC00544.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654526351390773922" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPPrrHHaE6O1z-_NpBQ3ww0zwRg3RTUvuR84immnXPyLTngpRMjcq_FXaZzArNDQA8kxcTwLfQnpKfe8aDQ6j3F9izC-EOggL5I3vAFFkfIefPM5AKF5IVqLuM4-SPVjKCjtRmd-O8nF4/s1600/DSC00544.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; ">Cora and I and Iguassu Falls</span></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnil2xN599xfd3v4axk_RptTyKqrlxMbF-m6Id3_7w5zIRT96AYC-E6KDv7x688aU1zfzBEqkmBAd9oNS-zAmBH_dmqFe88U9EN8agW1svWpcmEZblML8qhZXFgD1DjzZ4jthP87MN3Uu/s1600/DSC00593.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnil2xN599xfd3v4axk_RptTyKqrlxMbF-m6Id3_7w5zIRT96AYC-E6KDv7x688aU1zfzBEqkmBAd9oNS-zAmBH_dmqFe88U9EN8agW1svWpcmEZblML8qhZXFgD1DjzZ4jthP87MN3Uu/s320/DSC00593.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654526354873936770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; "> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; ">Kate and I at another volunteer's site, reading in a hammock built for two.</p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8oPxTvNyTkLYWcD87M63hGEiQGffu-0s1Enser5B54wccBrD3MTZzpvVWoiBvF7QfwNyQRUf1Q-ZFzXhEG1B4LWfLTm3lFhNUXmeZctCE3EDW7f013pktN8BrVinUpCBnLGypou36PzT/s1600/DSC00719.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8oPxTvNyTkLYWcD87M63hGEiQGffu-0s1Enser5B54wccBrD3MTZzpvVWoiBvF7QfwNyQRUf1Q-ZFzXhEG1B4LWfLTm3lFhNUXmeZctCE3EDW7f013pktN8BrVinUpCBnLGypou36PzT/s320/DSC00719.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654528891076976274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">My beautiful Twister board and matt.</div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in; "> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOfptZASLYP50QWzL_vKQEqSngjq7mDkbERzGnBlsGkyglkjBy_A4tLy-3MGvyUd81UH2Vs_daBOcK24Yh3phY3unPn9G5R3OGrTdJ7gO-MQpyyWRHog8CN_BYuodUGnG1fNOKO35JG6t/s1600/DSC00725.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOfptZASLYP50QWzL_vKQEqSngjq7mDkbERzGnBlsGkyglkjBy_A4tLy-3MGvyUd81UH2Vs_daBOcK24Yh3phY3unPn9G5R3OGrTdJ7gO-MQpyyWRHog8CN_BYuodUGnG1fNOKO35JG6t/s320/DSC00725.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654528910455989810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">English class Twister game.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVV-rxLbL1QBDBNWir6Esh-ECALrcmNjIv3jOHKrNB1kQmBl1-rAXxbEpbOV2ce7cLzFQXglwJkk2Jaise4J12FdTe83GKF6e3U-mmDQUs9tYXFofNrrzf0SROD5KQuCoAh5l4601PrnH/s1600/DSC00501.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVV-rxLbL1QBDBNWir6Esh-ECALrcmNjIv3jOHKrNB1kQmBl1-rAXxbEpbOV2ce7cLzFQXglwJkk2Jaise4J12FdTe83GKF6e3U-mmDQUs9tYXFofNrrzf0SROD5KQuCoAh5l4601PrnH/s320/DSC00501.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654528904490123874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">My neighbor Sol, and my dog Berenjena.</div></div></div></div>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14393533323915578085noreply@blogger.com0