So may 21st i left py and did not know when i would return. I always knew i wanted to return but i never knew when the day would come.
On Sunday 26th of Aug it finally did. I flew from LA to Dallas. I had my last plate of Hot wings and a couple of whiskey sours along with a miller light. I then boarded the 11hr flight from Dallas to Buenos Aires. I did not sleep much on the plane and the movies sucked but I was happy I was on my way back to South America. An hour lay over in BA and then i was on my way back to Paraguay.
Landing in Paraguay was unreal. When the pilot said "bienvendos a Asuncion" my heart skipped a beat. Walking into the airport and immigration was the best feeling. My bags arrived and nothing was stolen thanks to the " travel Gods".
A Peace Corps chofer picked me up and we were on our way to the office. I first went to the admin office to get my cellphone, ID, and money. The two ladies who work in there welcomed me with open arms. I went to the medical office to see my doctors and say hi. Another warm welcome. In the afternoon I was re-sworn in. I walked into the main part of the office and was greeted by all my bosses who were clapping and welcoming me back. The nicest welcome to Peace Corps ever!
After a day of running around the office to get my stuff together I stayed in a hotel with a couple volunteers to rest up and shower before going back to site. On Tuesday the 28th of Aug I packed another Peace Corps car with my bags and bike and had a chofer take me back to site.
The whole road back I starred out the window and smiled. It felt soo good to know where I was and where I was heading. The chofer (victor, my new best friend haha) invited me to eat lunch at his house( a half an hr car ride before my site). So we ate with his family and then were back on the road to my site.
Turning off the ruta and entering my site was another moment of accomplishment. The moment had arrived and i was about to see my house, my community, my PY friends and family. We pulled up to my house and I got out of the car. Took a deep breath and looked around. I HAD DONE IT. I HAD GONE TO THE USA FOR MEDICAL REASONS, GOTTEN BETTER AND RETURNED!
The kids and my dog all ran up to me. hugging and saying "your back"! Victor turned to me as we were unloading the car and said " I see why you wanted to come back, you community loves you."
I swept my house, put my bags inside and then went to go say hi to everyone. Everyone was supper welcoming and glad to see me. They all called me heavier and whiter. The people in my community are all very open about their opinions haha.
Since it gets dark early (5:45pm) I called it a night early. Took my first bucket bath, unpacked, talked to my volunteer friends and read a little before bed. It felt good to be back in my little house.
On wednesday 29th I went to my other community to visit and catch up. I also passed by my school and was again greeted warmly. The teachers and kids were on recess and as I walked through the school gates everyone clapped and cheered. I caught up with them all and drank some terere for the first time back.
I noticed my world map that i had worked so hard on was a bit messed up. So in the near future i will have to touch it up. Also my school got 9 laptops. So next week I will start to teach the teachers first and the start with 6th grade and move down from there.
I gifted the toothbrushes to every kid in the school. They were so excited and so grateful. So thank you everyone who gave me toothbrushes to bring back.
Besides that I have been visiting people, hanging out with some volunteers and getting back into the daily life of a peace corps volunteer.
Its good to be back. I wont have internet for a while. I just came into the main town to have a volunteer meeting and to get food. But I am heading back to site for the next couple weeks most likely.
My new number is 986258558
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