Things are splendid here in Paraguay. Its perfect. Except for the fact that I'm sweating all day every day. Its around 104-108 degrees every day and we walk 2-3 km each way to training. Haku terei. So hot. Speaking of guarani, the indigenous language of Paraguay, its so crazy. For those of you who convinced me that it was a dialect of Spanish just know that you have never been more wrong in your life. Unless Mba'eichapa nde rera sounds like como te llamas thou? Anyway the majority of people here speak jopara, a mixture of Spanish and guarani and right now its a disaster.
Right when we arrived on friday we were assigned a host family and mine is stellar. I have a mom, dad, sister Clara (18) and brother Vidal (11) though everyone calls him Chiki, and a million aunts and cousins. My sister is known as the sassy partier in the community and somehow I got roped into that. Obviously I love her. Paraguay is the definition of give an inch and they take a mile (i hope thats a phrase... I dont read). I said yes to beer at lunch on Saturday and keep in mind that my dad and sister were drinking and i was keeping with peace corps expectations of adapting, cooperating, being flexible, and all of a sudden I'm the neighborhood alcoholic. Excellent. Also, I did one victory dance after beating an 8 year old in Checkers and boom!! All i do is dance. When my family introduces me they say: this is arianna and she loves to drink and dance. And all i can do is laugh.
My house
My house is pretty chuchi (fancy). I have my own room, monkeys living in the trees, chickens waking me up conveniently at the appropriate time, two dogs, three cats, and a massive frog that hides in my room and bathroom. I have a washing machine aka a basin, an oven, a fridge, two televisions and a radio. I used to hate the frogs and call them ugly but then my dad told me they come in because its so hot outside and they need water. So now i feel bad. Thanks papa.
Training is going super well and the biggest struggle for me right now is the fact that Paraguayans are so clean! My mom mops the house and patio every day and keeping my room tidy and sweeping on a daily basis is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets. So wish me luck on that. And to end on a high note I'm pretty sure I just agreed to kill a chicken tomorrow. Although I'm not quite sure. This whole saying yes to everything i dont understand probably isnt the best idea. Oh no.
Jajotopata y rohaihu eterei (talk to you soon and lots of love),
Arianna
Sounds like a lot of fun and a life changing experience.
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