B4 vacay!

Dec 17, 2011 


Almost Christmas?.... Can't believe it... I never know what day it is... Or what time it is... Let alone what month we are in. I can't believe I've been here for 10mths. Almost a year feb 2nd. A year living in PY? Crazy! A year feels like a long time but everything here blends together, I have seen people come and go in Peace Corps Paraguay and soon my group (G-35) will be the veterans and not the fresh meat... We already have G36 and 37 in country sworn in and all. 

So the week before Christmas normally consists of running around buying gifts.. I must say I don't miss the crowds at the malls. I do miss the Xmas spirit, and songs on the radios... Instead I get a shock going into the capital and seeing Xmas decorations in the malls... Unreal. Xmas this year will come and go I am sure... I am going to my host moms and then my neighbors... Maybe a party in the pueblo but to be honest... I could treat it like any other day and be 100% ok with that if NoOne else made a big deal... Like I said days and months all blend together so what is the difference... 

I am excited to meet my friends mom on the 26th dec. It is the first Norte Parent to venture down here and see how we live.. So it will be nice to grab an ice cream or algo... Then I'll head to Asuncion for an evening of chilling prior to our flight to Santiago Chile. So excited! I just want to sleep in and lay on a beach! Not be judged!!! A vacation well needed. Yes I have taken day trips to my friends sites or to Asuncion for a weekend here and there... But every time I have to be on my A game cuz I don't know whose watching! To sit on a beach and not know anyone within miles will be great! I'll blend in as a tourist not a Peace Corps Volunteer. Of course I'll still be on my best behavior but to hold the title PCV 24-7 is stressful. I watch what I say and how I say it...so to be surrounded just by Americans in a private house will be heaven!

New years...?no plans yet... We will be in Chile... That is good enough for me! We get back the 9th of Jan. Then back to site for several weeks prior my England trip...

I am doing well down here.. Several of my closest (coordinators, Neighbors) have left the country... They had been living here 2 or more years prior to my arrival and now finished their service. Its weird to see people come and go but it is part of this experience here. We make friends in different groups. Each group is 3mths-1yr 3mths a part... the next group arrives in feb. So there are always good-byes and meeting new people. Strange life really. 

On that note.. I am always being reminded that (10mths) ago I had no idea what was in store for me here. I've been up and down. I still falta a lot... 15mths? But I've grown in the last 10mths, been through so many changes and I'll be gearing up in the new year to complete another year here in PY! 

I couldn't imagine being anywhere but down here. I appreciate my communities and I hope I can always do the best for them. So I ask that the new year brings me projects and peace here in Py! 

I'll update after chile or while I'm there! Merry Christmas! 

Till nxt time...