Winter is way colder than I was expecting!

So this whole south american winter thing. WAY colder than I was expecting! Its actually cold. So i've spent these last few weeks just trying to keep warm. I usually sleep with my sleeping bag and three blankets on top. And I like to read before I go to bed, but I haven't lately because my hands get to cold to be out of the blankets! haha! So I hang out with my family. We cook chipa inside where we light the coal and have embers which warms the house a bit, but the chipa is delicious! Ohh I made detergent one day with a bunch of ladies. That was fun! And it turned out really well. And that was part of my work plan, so I can cross that off the list of something i've accomplished! And I think it put me in good standards with the women- they'll want to do more projects with me! Hopefully!

I had a really fabulous day last week where I went out to inspect some guys chimney on his wood burning stove- because I know sooo much about chimneys! haha. And I looked at it, and surprised myself by how smart I sounded- in Spanish! And we came up with a plan on how to improve it. Then he showed me around his house, I drank milk right out of the cow. It was a mug full of delicious milk that was luke warm and foamy. Yeah I know you need to pasturize and all the fun stuff, but I have such a hard time saying no to things being offered to me. So I drank it. And it was delicious! And I haven't died yet, so I think i'll be okay! The rest of the morning I watched them make bamboo juice by sending the bamboo through a crank type thing. Which by the way my town Tacuara means bamboo in Guarani! Small fact there! And later I used this bamboo juice to drink as mate (hot tea with yerba!) it was pretty good!

I've had three weeks of my Guarani tutor now, and its going really really well! I actually had a conversation today with my teacher! And i've been understanding a whole lot more of what my family and the people here are saying. My biggest problem is that they talk so damn fast! If they would talk slower and give me a little time to process I could understand a whole lot more! But I have a quiz tomorrow in my class, so i'm going to be studying up this evening!

Last weekend I went to visit my friend Danielle who lives the department over, but is only an hour and a half away by bus! I wasnt going to stay as long as I did but it started raining and I couldnt get back into my site. But we had such a fabulous time together. Doing absolutely nothing, but doing it together. We watched TONS of movies, in english! and the whole 7th season of Friends, which was amazing! And we made tacos from real taco seasoning her mom sent her from the States- they were bomb! And ate Jiff peanut butter- which made my life!! So overall a great weekend, and it was really fun to see another persons site and get to know their people! They were all very nice and invited me back as often as I wanted, and said next time we have to dance... I showed off a few moves of mine!!

But life is tranquilo, chill. Working on some small projects, waiting for school to start up again. And i'm doing a leadership camp this weekend in Pilar which should be fun! Chau Chau!