Forever Grateful for Google Maps

Crazy things have been happening.  This week we were given a scavenger hunt in Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay with a partner using only public transport and directions from people.  So basically The Amazing Race: Paraguay.  It started off strong but quickly went downhill when we tried to get on our second bus, line 38, and the following happened:

Me to bus 38: we need to go to Plaza Italia.
Bus driver: no, you need bus 8
Me to bus 8: we need to go to Plaza Italia
Bus driver: no, you need bus 38
Me to a second 38 bus: we need to go to Plaza Italia
Bus driver: no, you need bus 44
Me to guy on street: we need to go to Plaza Italia
Guy: bus 441

Then we spotted a bus that had 38 on the front and 44 on the back and decided to hop on no matter what.  And we made it!! Here's Plaza Italia!

Then things went smoothly until the last bus where we apparently took it in the wrong direction for 20 minutes and ended up in a neighboring city and crossed an 8 lane highway while taking 3 separate buses back because every bus wanted to take us to the shopping center because they must just assume that we Americans love shopping.  Not sure.  But we made it...in the rain... an hour late.  So when we were told that it's cultural for Paraguayans to make things up rather than say they don't know and to always go with the most common answer that was great advice.  I mean I didn't need to win the million dollar prize anyway.

Then Friday night was my 7 year old cousins birthday party.  Belle themed with a blow up slide and a complete slideshow of her life.  Quite the party.  And Saturday night I watched my little chicitos perform a traditional Paraguayan dance including my brother and cousin.  It was supposed to start at 6:30 but didn't actually start until 7:30.  Paraguayan time.  And people talked for about 50 minutes and the performance was I kid you not, less than 3 minutes.  But cool none the less.

 My host brother Vidal

 My princesitas

my host cousin Rosita



My host cousins 

Then of course my first Paraguayan concert, pictures to be uploaded later.  We stayed out til 4:30 in the morning and every time a song in English played I felt like it was my favorite song ever and sang along accordingly. 

Tomorrow I'm off to visit a volunteer who arrived last January for four days in a rural area.  And with my lack of bus skills it could be interesting.  My first taste of my life post-training.  This post was very much blah blah blah with not really much feeling or observation but I'll do that tomorrow during my 5 hour bus ride.  Maybe. 

Also, write me letters!!!!!

Arianna Jesanis PCT
Cuerpo de Paz
162 Chaco Boreal c./Mcal. Lopez
Asuncion 1580, Paraguay
South America

I would love you forever.