Camp, Christmas and New year's

       Hello everyone!  I know it's been a long time, and I apologize for that!  I have had many requests to make a new blog, and it's definitely time to fill everyone in on how it's going down here!  It is incredible how quickly 5 months has past.  It doesn't seem possible that I haven't been home or seen my family for that long, but it surely and truly is possible. Ok, onto some stories.

       Before I came here, my mom told me that when she was in high school at Cleveland Heights, there was an AFS student from Paraguay that she was friends with.  One day my liaison here texted me and told me that someone wanted to get in contact with me.  She didn't know the name of the person or anything, but told me I could text this person if I wanted.  I figured that I would just text them, and ask them their name and why they wanted to get in touch with me.  I texted the number and low and behold it was Aida (Neiny) my mom's old AFS friend.  We talked for a while and later planned a little tour around a few cities. When we went on our little tour we went to Caacupe, (a very famous city here in Paraguay for the pilgrimage that happens every year on December to pay respect and pray with the Virgin of Caacupe in the beautiful Basilica.) San Bernardino, where we went on a boat tour on lake Ypacarai and had lunch, and to Aregua, where we want to an art exhibit and looked around at the pottery the city is known for.  We had a really nice time, and it was so funny knowing that she went to high school with my mom.  What a small, small world we live in. 

       I am still working at Don Bosco Roga, where I am translating letters...but as we say in Spanish "no da gusto" ....it's not that great.  I told some coworkers that I was bored and it was pretty boring sitting at a computer for hours and that all I really want to do is work with kids.  Fortunately for me one of my coworkers really listened to me and found me an opportunity that has totally changed my experience here in Paraguay.  I started working at a summer camp the 1st of December and it has been the best thing that has happened to me here in Paraguay (Gracias a Rubio!).  Camp starts with some songs and dancing, then we go to the age divided activities.  I am working with the little kiddos 3-7 year's old.  We do drawing and painting.  Other activities for other ages include dance, singing and guitar playing, camping stuff, and cooking.  After the activities the kids can play in the park or play soccer or foosball, pool whatever.  It's absolutely great.  I am so so so so soooooo happy there.  Even though it's about 45 minutes -1 hour to get there on bus, and now I'm taking 6 busses a day, it's totally worth it.  I have made some amazing friends there and I feel truly blessed to be doing what I am doing there.  Truly a game changer for me. 
 
       Christmas here in Paraguay or at least in my family is very different than at home.  Christmas eve is what is more celebrated here and by celebrated I mean, sitting outside with your family, drinking beer, waiting until midnight and when midnight come get undercover because you don't want to get hit by a stray bullet or firework debris.  I'd say that's a little different from home!  After midnight, we all sat outside and ate dinner.  There was a lot of food, sopa paraguaya, chipa guasu, pork, beef, chicken, potatoes salad, you name it.  Everthing was very delicious.  Here, everyone has a "pesebre" which is a nativity scene, but they are all very big and set up outside and then decorated with lights and little ornaments.  My family doesn't do a Christmas tree or presents, but I don't believe that is true of all families here.  It.just depends what your family does.  I wrapped a bunch if gifts for my family for Christmas and my intention was to have them open them that night, but no one is ever home, so we postponed until the 26 when somehow miraculously, all 8 of us were together.. it's nice to see my family repping Ohio and Cleveland! 

       New year's was good, it was the first year I actually went out and did something for a change.  First I had work in the morning, then I got home and went to the salon with my sister to keep her comoany, then I came home, then went to the mall to buy a blouse, then got home again, went to the salon to get my hair done for the night...and poof it was midnight!  Many many fireworks and getting undercover again, but that's just how it goes here!  At about 2 am I went to a party with my sisters and we danced the night away.  Got home at 7:30 am and I've pretty much been sleeping ever since.  It was a nice way to end a great year and I know this year has a lot to hold for me too, but really I see it as just another day in my life; another beautiful day.

Funny story that my mom requested:
       I was walking to the bus the other day and coming my way was motorcycle carrying a little girl, man and a woman (3 is normal, I've seen 4 one one before).  As the motorcycle came to my side it stopped.  I always have these fears even at home that a car or motorcycle will stop close to me and sometimes they do but it's usually because there is a stop sign or something like that.  Well anyway, this motorcycle stopped next to me and the man said "can I ask you something?" And I said "sure" , I was expecting something like, do you know where this family lives, or where something is, and I was just 100% wrong!  He asked me "Porque vos sos tan linda" "why are you so beautiful?" and I was so shocked!  I immediately started walking and a laugh came out and I'm sure my face was beet red.  This kind of thing is just so normal here, but still not normal to me!  Well I still have 6 months to try and get used to it (never going to happen)

       I wish all of you who are reading this a happy and blessed New year!  I'll try to write a little more frequently, but the truth is I'm so busy I rarely have the energy or time to do it!  But I'll make more of an effort.  We'll call it my new year's resolution!  Hasta pronto. 

Emma

Eggo Waffles, Funerals, Disaster Bus Rides

       First, I would like to say, that i started my blog post and the power decided to go out...so this is my second try.  Maybe it was a sign that my title or introduction was not as good as it could have been.  The tents, tarps and wooden shacks have gone.  The weather has gone from sweltering heat, to crazy thunderstorms.  I have gone from not missing anything, to pretty much being mom sick a lot (of course I miss my dad and brother and cats...but there is just somthing about mom.)  Other wise, I´m doing pretty well!   Now I will help you imagine my stay through some stories of what I have been doing here.
       Every morning I take two busses to get to work.  The first bus takes me to the highway and the second bus takes me onto the highway until where I get off and walk a few blocks to work.  On my way on the highway, i pass a factory everyday.  I do not even know what it is called, but there is a billboard close that says Belén, so I am just going to call it Belén.  Anyhow, i love passing by thi factory because...it smells like eggo waffles.  I think I could maybe count on one hand how many times i have had eggo waffles, but there is just somthing about the smell that is so nice.  I will say, that i have been craving waffles and pancakes a little morethan i had been previously.
       The rain can stop everything here.  The rain has powers.  When there is rain, you do not go out.  In the country side where some of my friends are it is worse, but even still, today for instance, I didnt go to work because there were some pretty massive thunderstorms and heavy heavy rain.  Well, I guess I lied, the rain almost stops everything...  I went on a trip last saturday to a place called Laguna Blanca, which is in the north of Paraguay, with a lot of the AFS students from all over Paraguay.  I woke up at 4:45 saturday morning to take a shower and to get the rest of my things together, only to find that there was a huge thunderstorm, and no electricity or water.  I had no idea if the trip was going to happen, especially if it would be raining.  Laguna Blanca s a beach area and we would be camping, so I honestly was hoping that it would be cancelled and moved to a more sunny weekend......  It took us about 7 hours to get there.  It was literally raining inside of the bus.  The seats were wet, i got wet and it was a long trip.  One boy set up his hammack in the aisle and slept through most of it.  Somehow, we had luck.  Once we got there, the sky cleared up and there was not a drop of rain!  In fact it was pleasant weather and the sun even peeked out the first day.  We all played volleyball (which I am not the best in) and went swimming later.  The water was really clear, you could see right through it.  During the night some people played guitar and talked and it was really nice.  Some friends walked on the beach and we looked at stars.  It was really incredible.  I have never seen stars like i saw that might before in my life.
     Well, the next day was HOT.  We went swimming and then some friends and I went on a hike on some path close to the lake.  It started off in sand a brush type plants and then went into thorny bushes and then the woods and then back to the sandy brush.  It was a long hike, almost two hours.  Part way through, someone asked for water, and we all realized that no one had brought any with us.  Those noxt few kms were pretty hard.  We finally made it back to the site and had lunch.  Then we packed everything up and loaded up the busses.
       I thought the trip was going to be the disaster with the rain and all, but it actually turned out really great!  The disaster was getting home.  First, there was no air on the bus and it was so hot it made you feel sick.  I just tried to sleep so that I would not be aware of the heat.  I woke up and felt really sick to my stomach, which could have been from lunch.  The AFS people said that the people living or staying in Capiatá for the night (me) were supposed to be switching busses at some point on the trip home.  As we got farther and farther a volunteer told us we would all be going to Asunción instead.  Of course, we asked why.  "Well, when we stopped at the gas station, the volunteer bus forgot one of the girls there, so they had to go back and pick her up and they are kind of far away now."  That was a little discouraging, because it meant that we would be waiting in Asunción for atleast another hour for this second bus to pick us up.  Our bus got there at 11, and everyone else left, leaving me and 8 other students at a shoppng mall waiting forthe other bus to take us to Capiatá.  We waited in a Dominos pizza and al ate, because we had not had dinner.  Finally around 12, the bus came and we all groggily boarded.  We were going for a whie, and the bus stopped...I heard one of the volunteers saying somthing about a car crash we were in and that some one had to call the police.  I was just thinking...really? is this really happening?  Eventualy we left and made it to somewhere in Capiatá, well that is when the bus just stopped moving.  I dont know if it ran out of battery, or gas, or what...but it stopped.  We rolled for a little bit, downhill, but the the road got flat.  At that pont i was getting annoyed.  It was 1 in the morning and now i had to carry all my stuff along with the other students a number of blocks until we got to a volunteers house.  It was an experience... once we got to his house, the nine of us somehow fit in his small living room and all slept together on the floor.  It was one of my most interesting times here yet.
       Well, I went to a funeral yesterday.  It was the funeral of a coworker, and I thought I should go with my coworkers and for the experience too.  We took the bus there (Asunción) and it took a lifetime...and it was incredibly hot...and i was wearing black pants.  We finally arrived and entered.  I was a little surprised to see an open casket and the corpse out in the open like that; I just was not really prepared or expecting it.  There was a ot of praying and singing, but at the same time it was very casual.  People were wearing jeans and t-shirts.  It was an all day event and we were supposed to go to the cemetary too, but i ducked out before that happened.  It wa brutally hot there and kind of boring.  I am glad that I went, though i do hope it will be my only one here.
       Well, I am trying to think of any more interesting things and I think I pretty much covered everything for now.  Sorry for spellingor gramatical errors...I am using a Spanish keyboard and it just says I am spelling everything wrong!!!  Hope everyone is doing well, and I will be checking in again soon.  Hasta pronto.

Tents, tarps and wooden shacks

#1) don't take what you have for granted.  Be thankful and joyful that you have a home, food, water, school and people to take care of you; it's not like that everywhere in the world. 

       I've started to feel my thoughts changing, maybe a feeling of being more aware; I'm not really sure.  It really first started when I took the bus from my home to the main road to go out to work and to just go out.  Everyday the bus passes a huge community of tents, tarps and wooden shacks.  I can't help but look, every time and just try to imagine what that could be like.  Especially these last few days in the sweltering heat, I honestly can't imagine living like that.  It's started to make me think "why is this happening? How can I help? What can I do?"  I don't know the answer to those questions yet, but I'm working on it. 
       Starting my new job has opened my eyes to new things too.  I work for an organization called Don Bosco Roga.  You know those advertisements on tv that say you can sponsor a child and pay so much money every month?  That's where I work.  Don Bosco here in Paraguay has teamed up with a Catholic organization called chalice in Canada, where the Canadian sponsors send money or gifts to children or elderly people here.  My job is to translate the letters that the children and elderly people write to their sponsors.  Some of you may be thinking that those programs aren't really good or real, but I know this one is.  The letters I read and translate are really awesome.  They share photos with each other and really sometimes have a great connection.  Although my job is boring, I also find it kind of rewarding.  On Saturdays I go and play with the kids that are part of the program.  I've learned new rules for jenga (such as holding the structure and taking your piece so it doesn't fall), been asked if my eyes are really real, and I've been learning some more Guaraní (which is always accompanied with lots of giggling kids).  Maybe this wasn't as exciting and fun to read, but I think it is important.  I really hope that you sit down today for a minute and thinks about how really lucky you are!!!  Think about how not every country is like the one you live in.  Be thankful you don't live under a tarp, and think about how you might be able to help!  You don't have to do anything extravagant, maybe just send a thought upstairs to the big guy or do some volunteer work...I don't know!  I hope this inspired you a little bit!  Now I'm going to move onto the fun adventures I've had in the past few weeks!!

Salto Cristal:
       The people who say that Paraguay is an ugly country, obviously have not SEEN Paraguay!  I had the opportunity to travel to a place called Salto Cristal, which was honestly one of the coolest day trips I've ever been on!  My sister Arami was going on the trip, because her friends (AFS volunteers) were going.  I got invited along and though, what the heck, I want to get out, explore and meet new people, so this is really the perfect thing for me to do!  The "party" bus, a small bus that held 20 people, picked Me and Ara up at the infamous Puma gas station that my life pretty much revolves around.  We got on the bus and the first person I saw was the AFS volunteer who I spent a lot of time talking to in order to change families and jobs.  As I moved farther back into the bus, there were all the volunteers from orientation!  Jaja it was kind of weird, just because I was the youngest and I knew them in a different kind of way.  That all faded within hours and everyone was taking and laughing and friends.  The bus ride was really fun.....except for the roads.
       Lets take a minute to talk about the roads here in Paraguay.  I should have put that on the list of things to be thankful for!!  Clevelanders, or anyone that knows those terrible winter potholes; it is nothing compared to here.  There isn't even a real winter here and it is ten bagillion times worse than home.  For instance...on our way to Salto Cristal, we hit a bump....a serious bump.  I literally flew out of my seat, landed back down on a seatbelt buckle and was left with a whole in my pants.  Please, next time you see a "pothole" just get that image in your mind! 
       On the way, we stopped at a big hill from which you could see forever.  I felt in love!!! Finally, I saw green, and trees, and mountains and hills and beauty!  I could smell...urine; but I just kind of blocked that part out as much as I could.  We then continued our bumpy and somewhat uncomfortable journey towards Salto Cristal.  Once we arrived it wasn't what I pictured.  It was like someone's farm...pigs and chickens and goats running around.  Then people started changing into bathing suits and getting ready to go to the falls.  I thought it would just be a little walk and we would be there and boy was I wrong.  It was a vertical drop to get there.  I'm not joking when I say vertical drop.  There were rocks that you had to scale and a rope about half way down that you could hold onto to make sure you wouldn't fall to your death.  Other than that getting down wasn't too bad!  I made the stupid decision of wearing flip flops and ended up just going barefoot to get the proper toe grippage that I needed.  Once we got down the vertical drop of death, we had to walk through a river/stream to get to the falls.  I've never seen so many beautiful butterflies in my life.  Fluorescent purples and blues, floating past your face while you feel the cool water on your feet and the sounds of the birds in the forest singing...it was seriously magical.  But the most magnificent part was the first moment I  actually saw the falls.  I didn't really have words.  It was unlike anything I've ever seen before.  The closer I got the droplets of mist kissed my face and the cool breeze coming off of the water felt so good after coming down those rocks.  It was really incredible.  We all were swimming and playing and just enjoying life.  What a great thing to do.  Enjoy life!!!
       After we climbed back up the rocks, we got back into the bus and started out to our next destination.....CAMPING!  Oh man, it was so much fun.  We made a fire, walked in the river, talked, and had fun.  The most awesome thing was the sky.  The sky clear enough to see many, many stars; and at the same time there was constant lighting.  There was never a crack of thunder or a drop of rain.  Just stars and lightning; it was incredible.  The next morning, I had so many terrible mosquito bites (which still aren't gone yet, I'll attach some pictures don't worry) But it didn't even matter because the trip was absolutely unforgettable. 

Expo Capiatá:
       I went to expo in Capiatá, which is basically like a little fair.  I went with my friend Aldo who I met on the Salto Cristal trip.  I just wanted to mention that it was my first time seeing the traditional Paraguayan dance!!  They balance bottles on their heads, dance with cheese, and chipa and flowers.  It was really cool for me to see for the first time live!!

San Bernardino (Sanber):
       I spent Monday with my friend Aldo in Sanber, which is his city.  Sanber is one of the most popular weekend and summer vacation spots to go in Paraguay other than Encarnacion.  It is on lake Ypacarai and it's so beautiful!  Once you get out of Gran Asuncion and into Interior, everything is more quiet, peaceful and beautiful!  We went by motorcycle (yes I know, but don't worry we went slow and both were wearing helmets) to many places with amazing views of the city and of the lake!!  It was such a cool day and I really want to go back again!  I know people that vacation there so maybe I can tag along with one if them sometime! 

       I am very very happy here and happy about the move.  It has really been good for me and my experience has already changed so much.  Tonight I'm going with some co-workers to a Beatles tribute concert which is kind of REALLY AWESOME!  That's about all I can think of so far...I'm sure there will be more stories soon that I'll want to share!!!  Also a shout out to my Poppy, it's his birthday today and I'm sad I won't be going over to eat German chocolate cake with him.  I miss you!  Thanks for reading and check in soon! 

It's not always sunshine and rainbows on your year abroad!

       Well, hello everyone!!!  Yes, I know it has been a long time since I made my last blog post, and yes A LOT has happened in between that time.  I'll start from where I left off last time and then fill you in on everything that has happened.  Here goes...
       One day I was going to work; walked to the plaza to take the bus (as usual) , got on the bus I always take (as usual), and started my 45 minute ride to work.  When the bus didn't turn where it was supposed to, I thought to myself, "gosh I sure am lucky today! The bus is going to drop me off closer to work!"  When the bus failed to turn at the place that would take me closer to work, I started to get a little nervous.  After a while, I called my host dad and told him I was lost and didn't know where I was or what to do.  He told me to give my phone to the bus driver so he could talk to him and explain where I needed to go.  Soooo, I awkwardly just kind of shoved the phone at the bus driver from behind and said "talk to my dad please".  I was getting really nervous and worked up, so when the bus driver started talking to me, I really couldn't understand a single word.  After a while, the bus stopped.  We were in a neighborhood type place (there was a cow next to us) and the bus driver gave me some money and told me to get off.  I was like...okkkk but I don't know where I am or where to go...am I supposed to walk?!  It was very confusing and scary.  Then all of the sudden, another bus pulled up and was headlight to headlight with the first bus.  I was standing in the middle, extremely confused as to what I was supposed to do.  I looked at the first driver and her pointed at the new bus; then I looked at the second driver and he did the "come here" motion.  I had hope and trust in the Paraguayan bus drivers and got onto the very crowded second bus.  I said "CCPA San Lorenzo por favor"
and took my standing position on the bus.  Finally, I saw a street that I recognized and got off and walked the rest of the way to work.  It was my first getting lost experience...and I think the driver went another way just because there were almost no passengers on the bus.  They just kind of do whatever they feel like. 
       My second adventure was when I was going to a party with some afs friends.  My friends from work were going to take me to my friends house but first I had to go home and get ready.  My friend Pamela came with me to my house while I got ready and then I went to the bus place to catch the bus to the university where our other friend was going to pick us up.  We went to the bus "stop" and were waiting.  It was 7 pm and we weren't sure when the last/next bus would be coming.  Then the police were coming around and Pamela asked when the next bus was coming and they said 8....they also said the neighborhood is really really dangerous and we shouldn't be waiting.there alone.. they told us that they were making rounds and would pass the university and offered to take us.  We.got.in the the car and they took us to the university.  I guess we were lucky because many people told me after that you can't trust the police and it understand isn't safe to go with them.  Luckily for us Paulo and Nestor were very nice and took us to where we needed to go.  Long story short, I made to to my friends house fine and learned not to take rides from the police in the future. 
      Now the stuff you want to hear about...my family and work change.  For reasons that will benefit my experience here in Paraguay on my gap year, I decided it would be best for me to change both my host family and work place.  I changed families of Sunday after my first orientation (which was a blast).  I am now living in a new city called Capiatá, it is a neighboring city to San Lorenzo, so I'm not terribly far from friends or Asunción.  I now have 3 sister's (2 who are twins, 19....and a younger sister who is 14) I have 2 brothers who are 21 and 27.  They love to learn words in Spanish and ask me questions.  I share a room with my twin sisters which is actually really fun.  All of our beds are in a row and we stay up really late talking and watching movies.  It's so different than anything I've ever been used to!!!  I will be starting my new job in Tuesday after the holiday.  I am working at Don Bosco, which is an international organization that sponsors children that need help.  My job will be to help kids write letters to their sponsors and then to translate the letters for their sponsors.  I also might be teaching some English, and on Saturdays just playing with the kids!  My schedule is Tuesday-Saturday 8-12.  Depending on how I feel, I might ask for more hours...because 4 isn't a lot.  But at least I'll be doing work at the new place!!!  I'm very excited to start working and to be working directly with kids.  So that's that about my move. 
       On Sunday I'm going camping with a group of people and my host sister at a place called Salto Cristal.....it looks so beautiful, I'll attach a picture and then later put my own photos up!!  I'll post more soon and tell more about how the new job is and everything that I'm doing!  Hope you enjoyed!  Stay tuned.  Besitos <3 xoxoxo

Second week

       Well, I'm back!!!  I suppose it's almost a good thing I haven't been writing so often, because it means I am busy! 
       I started work a week ago in the CCPA in San Lorenzo.  I am in the library there which is very small.  Its pretty quiet and there isn't a lot of activity.  I really love the people that I work with though!  To be honest, it can get pretty boring there because I don't do anything.  No one there really does anything though, so I guess I'm not the only one. 
       This whole weird thing happened with my lunch there.  So first, numerous people told me that I would eat lunch there everyday, like the rest of the staff and volunteers.  So, naturally, on my first day, I ate lunch there with everyone that was prepared by the lady in the cafeteria.  Later in the afternoon, I got a call from my liaison (who is younger than me) saying I couldn't eat lunch there anymore......why? I have no idea.  So now, I go to work at 1, after I've had lunch at home.  The only problem is that my mom prepares lunch for me in between 10:30 and 11 am.  So then I'm at work from 1-5 with no food.  Today when I got home I ate 4 or 5 empanadas....I can't remember, but I was so hungry.  So basically, work is a little screwed up and disorganized, but I hope it will get better.  I sat in and participated in an English class today, which was fun.  I hope I get to do more things like that. 
       I have gone to work in central (in Asuncion) twice now in the past week.  Also I don't do anything there but it's alright.  I went to a science fair on Saturday in Asuncion and it was pretty cool!  Taking the bus to Asuncion in the morning is just about the worst thing that happens here.  The first time I went I had to wake up at 5am in order to get to the bus on time.  We were supposed to leave the house at 6, but my brother claims his alarm didn't go off (even though I heard it) and he over slept, so we went a little bit later.  Weird things happen on the bus too.  On Saturday, two guys got on the bus with a radio and started rapping!  Of course they had to rap about me.....I heard "rubia" (blonde)  and I knew exactly who they were talking about.  They rapped about blonde, beautiful something something and I like her eyes.  Oh I live for that kind of stuff. 
       One of the things I don't like so far is the attention I get.  For instance, I was sitting on the bus with the window open and some men started saying "hello, how are you" and laughing and stuff.  I hate that.  Today I was walking home by myself and there were these two boys that were saying first in Spanish. .....beautiful, and then in English.....hi beautiful, how are you,  what's your name?  Ughhhhh I hate it. 
       Hmmmmm what else?  I've been hanging out with my friend Ferre from Belgium and I'm really enjoying his company.  Plus, his 5 year old brother is adorable and loves me!  It'll be nice to make some friends in San Lorenzo, but for now I'm happy with my friends in Luque.  Only a short drive away! 
       I take the bus by myself tomorrow.  I'm a little nervous, but I know the way to work now and I know I'll be fine. 
       The weather here is like Cleveland.....BIPOLAR.  Two days ago it was incredibly hot, and these past 2 days have been freezingggg.  I guess I came to the right place!  And speaking of coming to the right place.....on Sunday I met 2 people with the same thumbs as me....WHAT?! Two people in one day?  That's unheard of!!!
       Sooooo, I guess that's all for now!  Check in later for more!  Chau!

Una gran aventura en Asunción

       Yesterday marked my first full week in Paraguay.  I can't believe it!  To celebrate (not really, we would have gone anyway) me, my brother Gili and my friend Ferre from Belgium went to Asunción for an adventure!  It was the most fun day here so far, even though there hasn't been a day I haven't enjoyed yet.
       Gili and I were walking to the bus place (there aren't real stops here) And as we were walking a car pulled up and we got in.  I don't totally understand Spanish and didn't quite understand, but it turns out it was a friend of the family and not some random person driving us around.  We got dropped off part way and took the bus the rest of the way to "shopping" , used as a noun not a verb.  Shopping is the most popular mall in Asunción, where tons of people go to shop, watch movies, eat...you name it.  We met Ferre at shopping and then started out hike. 
       We walked for such a long way seeing lots of things in the streets of Asuncion.  We saw the presidents residence, the US embassy, the BIG manzana (Apple store) and the field where Olympia plays.  Then we went to the river front where the Palacio de Gobierno is.  The water is still really high on the river but it has gone down some since earlier this year.  Instead of walking, we used this vehicle that reminded me of a three wheeler with big wheels on it.  The driver sat in front and there were too passenger seats.  Gilberto drove and Ferre and I were the passengers.  When Gili said we were going to use one I thought he was joking, and when I figured out it was for real and once we got on, I couldn't stop giggling.  It was so much fun and just really cool.  There were antique cars on the river front too, which we took photos with. 
       After our vehicle ride, we were pretty hungry and went to get lunch.  Of course we went to McDonald's.  Today is día del niños so everything is decorated with balloons and there are clowns everywhere too.  Clowns on motorcycles, clowns in the street, clowns everywhere.  In fact, my tía Niti is a clown, as well as many other professions.  ANYWAY, after lunch we went to the casa de independencia where the paraguayans planned their attack on the Spanish to gain their freedom.  It was an interesting little museum.  We then walk through the panteón de los héroes.  Yesterday was also the anniversary of Asuncion so there were some parades and if course fireworks....but fireworks happen almost every night anyway.  I swear, almost every day is a holiday in Paraguay.  I have been here one week and there have already been 3! 
       I had another interesting bus experience, when a man came on with his guitar and serenaded all of the passengers.  His guitar playing was good but his singing was a couple of keys off.  Nice effort though. 
       After our adventure in Asunción, We went to one of Gilis friends house who has two pit bulls.  One of them is the champion of the competitions...and is also Annubis' boyfriend haha.  We were there for a long time and Ferre and me were soooo tired!  Finally we came back home and waited for Ferres parents to come and get him at 9.  He knows I play ukulele, so everyone wanted me to play.  We (mama, papa, Ferre, and Gili) went out onto the patio in front of the store and I played and did a little bit if singing too.  Ferre put my case on the ground and Gili threw a 1000 guarani coin in haha.  We joked that since I am not working yet, I will play my ukulele for a job haha.  I put my first coin in my Paraguayan piggy bank. 
       After, we came inside because it was cold and looked at pictures from a while ago.  It was really funny to see what everyone looked like when they were so young!  It was a lot of fun.  Ferres parents came to pick him up because they were going to a birthday party and then soon after I went to bed because I was so exhausted. 
       Apparently I am going with Gili to a pit bull competition tomorrow which involves me getting up at 3 or 4 am to get there by 7 am................whyyyyyyyyyy.  Well that's about all I can't think of for now!  Check in again!

When your host mom says "Te quiero mucho"

       This is a feeling that I can not really explain.  Having someone that is not related to you, and only in a few days of knowing you, will do anything for you and loves you as their own is a really incredible thing.  When my mom went to bed tonight, she said "te quiero mucho" which translates to I love you a lot.  I already feel comfortable here and love my family, but that just sealed the deal.  I can't explain the feeling because it's so different than anything I have really felt before.  I am so unbelievably happy and lucky to have been placed in this family.  I haven't even been here a week and I know I am at home.  What an amazing feeling and thing that can happen in just a few days....really it's incredible.  Ok, enough of the sappy stuff, I'll fill you in on what I've been doing in the past few days.
       I have not started work yet, and it is still unclear to me as to when I start; but honestly I am very content and happy staying at home with my mom...(just like in the states).  Yesterday I went to the zoo with my brother Cristian.  We took the bus there and back.  Going there we had seats, but on the way back we both had to stand and it was packed like a sardine can.  I'll be honest the bus is the most scary part so far, but that is probably because I'm not accustomed to it yet.  The zoo was practically empty, maybe with one other family.  We went into the museum of natural history and there was a preserved baby cow with two heads....that was interesting to see, also a little bit disturbing. 
       It has been very "cold" here.  It is something similar to a brisk and chilly fall day in Cleveland.  It was cold enough today where I was wearing a sweatshirt, coat and scarf. 
       Today I went with mamá to the main market in Asuncion which is called Mercado 4.  It is really big with many stores.  We went to meet with Andrea, one of Cristians friends (who I consider my friend too).  We talked with her and her coworkers for a while and of course they all commented on how beautiful I am and my hair....it's just what people say when my mamá introduces me.  It was kind of embarrassing at first, but I'm getting used to it.  After we met with Andrea, we got some groceries and a pair of shoes for one of mamás clients in the store.  Then we took the bus back home. 
       There are always vendors on the busses.  The driver lets them on and then they try and sell their goods.  My favorite vendor from today was the man selling toothbrushes.  We had such passion and a lot of information about how great the toothbrush was and at the end of his speech, he said "gracias por su atención, y buen día".  I thought it was such a funny way to end it. 
       There is a little girl named Romina who is 8 years old that is my first friend here in Paraguay.  Every day now after school and on her break she comes by the store and asks for me, so she can ask me questions and talk to me.  She is so cute and today Romina and her friend showed me all of their notebooks with stickers and all sorts of things.  They are very cute little girls and I always look forward to seeing them! 
       I met my abuela the other night and she is very nice.  She lives in a town only about 10 minutes away called Villa Elisa.  My aunt Niti and uncle Javier live there too.  They are all very funny and I love spending time with them.  My whole family is funny (thank goodness) because what would I do in a family without humor???
       I've been playing my ukulele a little more and my mom loves it.  Tonight before diner I was going to play some in my room and my mom said, oh no come to my room because I will take a nap before diner and I want to listen to your music.  So I sat on her bed and played and yes haha believe it or not I played her to sleep.  It was really funny and nice. 
       Well speaking of sleeping, I have reached that point.  Lots of Spanish and guaraní and soccer games today and I'm ready for my bed.  Make sure to check in again! Chauuu.