March 1st we celebrated our 50th Anniversary of Peace Corps existence, and 45 years here in Paraguay. It’s a pretty great accomplishment, and I feel very privileged to be a part of this anniversary! I could not say enough great things about my Peace Corps experience and feel so lucky every day that I choose to do this. It is such a unique experience that no study abroad, Americorps, mission trip could ever compare to (not that’s those are bad or unworthy things!). The fact that you are living in a developing country for 27 months allows you the time to actually do something. Most volunteers state that they don’t feel like they’ve really done anything until the 2nd year. And now approaching my second year… I agree with that statement. Yeah I gave some dental charlas and sex ed charlas, but I think my work will be much more impactful this second year. I was talking to my close friend Kasey Vargo on the phone yesterday and we were discussing my experience thus-far. I told her about my trainee visit I had last week, and listening to a new trainee who has only been in Paraguay for 3 weeks, she really has no idea what is ahead of her. I realized I was just like that, that was me, I didn’t know anything… and while my Guarani is still horrible, I do understand a lot more than people think I do! And I finally do feel a part of my community. I have made great friends, friends that I can show up at their houses at any time of the day, for anything, or just to drink a little terere! The fact that I spent most all afternoons out of my house, when most people (outside of their jobs) never or barely leave their houses, is something very rare in the campo. But since I do live on my own, I enjoy getting out of the house, and I’m always pleasantly surprised by new things I get to experience, people I get to meet, parties I get invited to, food I get to eat- just by showing up! To Paraguayans it means so much more showing up and giving them your time than anything else! Which is mostly what I’ve been up to lately, hanging out with friends and families. However I have spent almost every day since school recently started in the pre-school class. One of my closest friends Blanca is the teacher… but mostly I just really love the kids in that class! They are a group of 11 and they are each so wonderful, playful, loving, and I know they enjoy having my around a lot! Every day when I come into the class they all scream, Sara!! They always put a big smile on my face :)
In other news, I am preparing to leave site soon. On the 8th i’m headed to Asuncion for the SHAKIRA concert! So very excited, and there are going to be herds of Americans sharing in the awesome booty shakin music! Then I get to spend almost a whole week with my training family. My training mom just had a baby, March 2 she gave birth to Sofia Analia who weighed 4.5 kilos (that’s basically 10 pounds!!). I will get to spend lots of time with my new little (probably really chubby) Paraguayan sister. And some much needed quality time with the boyfriend!! After that its off to meet the family in Uruguay! Family vacation time, relaxing on the beach and hopefully some really yummy eatin! Then I have the wonderful opportunity of showing them Paraguay and where the real magic happens! So stayed tuned for an update on all my upcoming adventures!
