Mbàéíchapa!
Peace Corps G50 has arrived and we have moved into our host
families in Paraguay. The trip was long, stressful, with delays and
visa issues. Typical overseas travel fare. Upon arrival we stayed in
a retreat to recharge for two days before departing for in-country
orientation and meeting our host-families.
During orientation we were divided into four groups, two for
agriculture and two for environment. And each group went to a
different town or village, our homes for the next three months.
Our bus pulled off the highway
and onto a dry, red sand road of a rural village outside of Ausnción.
We were told this was the most rural of the four sites—a point of
pride for many of us assigned here.
We pulled to a halt in front
of a small school and the families stood waiting. Mutual excitement
filled the volunteers and the waiting families as the anticipation
built over this first meeting with those we were going to spend the
next three months with. Most of us were simply relieved to finally
finish travelling and unpack.
We stepped out of the van one
by one and entered a small yard where our host families awaited us,
and one by one, we were paired off with our families in a flurry of
excitement and hugs. When I my name was called, a tall man, stoic in
appearance, with arms folded across his chest stepped forward. He was
the only man there, standing quiet and reserved behind the women and
children. He would be my host-father for the next three months. We
shook hands but exchanged no words. I did not feel uncomfortable by
this. I understand that often this is how things are. And as we
waited for the truck to come pick us up, I talked with one of the
language instructors and we shared terere, the national drink that
consists of herbs and mate, and is drunk from a guampa, or a tall
metal serving container with a bombilla (straw) for drinking.
After an hour it was our turn
and we packed my luggage into the 4x4 and drove off to my soon to be
new home. When we arrived I met my host-mother and several of the
neighbors. They greeted me with a smile and the customary kiss on the
cheek, and they showed me to my room.
Since moving in it has been a
constant learning process to understand and follow the customs and
“ways” of Paraguayan life. I wouldn't say the process has been
difficult, but I also won't say I have done everything right the
first time. It's a process of trial and error, of understanding,
listening, and following. It is important to be very open, to see
through unfiltered eyes. This means setting aside my American
identity for the time being, and not using it to compare what I see
in Paraguayan life with what I know from my American background.
That isn't to say there aren't
some fun and interesting quirks in my new home. For example, I have
found my new room has another inhabitant. A very large arachnid who
I've named Chester and lives in a hole between the bricks near the
side door. There are also several frogs that accompany me while I
take showers. They will go unnamed. I also will be unable to go
outside alone at night, because there is a lion-sized dog named Loki
who my host parents unleash to protect the house, the chickens, the
pigs, horse and cattle from potential thieves. Since Loki doesn't
know me yet he may mistake me for a thief, and I almost made the
mistake of walking out the door to trim my nails the other night.
However when I opened the door Loki bounded over barking and I
quickly shut it before he could get too close.
The daily life is slow, quiet,
peaceful. There is much terere to be shared and many conversations to
be had. During the week my host family milks the cows and sells the
milk. Then my host-father and uncle go and work in the sugarcane
fields. My host-brother works in Asunción and must commute into the
city every day.
The weekends are typically
slower with more time to relax. It involves more recreation such as
playing volleyball or soccer, visiting with neighboring friends and
family, and having time to rest.
In terms of language, I find
it a challenge at times to understand, because it is natural for many
Paraguayans to blend Spanish and Guaraní together in speech. So
often if a sentence starts out in Spanish, it may very well end in
Guaraní. This is the biggest struggle I am having because my level
of Guaraní is so limited. But little by little I am learning more
phrases.
Sunday morning I shared mate
with my host-uncle and brother and they taught me many new and very
useful phrases in Guaraní that I can begin putting into practice.
After that I went with my host-uncle to pick strawberries and we
drank terere.
All in all it has been a
strong start. Che gusta todo.
Chaumante!
Kyle
