Three weeks in site

Three weeks in site. I have had the wonderful opportunity to experience many wondrous, ridiculous and mysterious things! I have learned many new things. Here are just a few of them…

I never knew that The Simpsons, Flintstones, Jetsons, Will Smith and the entire cast of Ocean´s Eleven spoke Spanish!

I drink the whole-est milk around – the option of skim, 1% or 2% do not exist! But we do buy it from a guy who drives his moto around from house to house with a large bucket of milk on the back and we take our pan out and dip in and TA-DAH! Milk! It is then taken in and boiled (3 times!) and then served up! I have had only one cold glass of milk since I arrived – Paraguayans think that it will upset your stomach if you drink it cold. (Which may or may not be true…not sure anymore!)

I have been text-flirted with. This is a new phenomenon that I am shocked that anyone over the age of 17 would partake in. For those of you who may be slightly less tech-savy text messaging is a form of communication where you can send a written message via cell phone, in many places in the world it is much more expensive to call so text-messaging is an excellent way to communicate short messages. TEXT-FLIRTING = is initiated by someone asking for your phone number (you may not know this person…there for…it’s a bad idea to give them your number…but this is just a word to the wise!) And lets say you know the person…perhaps a co-worker (in my situation-yes co-worker) so you don’t think anything of giving out your phone number because at home (US) the chances of your 30something co-workers (Thad, Josh and Sachin) probably wont try to flirt with you over text messaging! So it doesn’t cross your mind to be concerned about it! And then it starts. A simple text message sharing some information that is work related so you continue to think nothing of it and continue to act normal. Then you start to get messages asking about how your dinner was last night and if you are doing anything inparticular now or what your plans are for the evening. There are two directions this can go in your own personal ´chose your own adventure´, you can either respond and fuel the text-flirting fire or you pretend that you are not receiving them. Due to the fact that the last 3 months and the next 24 are one grand ´Chose my own Adventure¨ I have decide to pretend that I am not receiving them. However, I will keep you posted should I change the direction of my Adventure. (Don’t hold your breath!)
(PS. Nation Fellas thank you for your normalness!)

I now have an Avon Lady. You maybe surprised to know that a very common second job for women (mostly teachers) is to be an Avon Lady! I just made my first purchase last week…however it will not arrive until the end of September. How funny! Never in my life have I ordered anything from Avon Ladies…I always thought it was a grandma thing to do. I have crossed to the other side. At the end of September I will let you know how it is!

I may have visitors! My dad is possibly coming to visit! I hoping to be able to sweet talk him into bring a few things down for me…as I have had a few cravings for random American things!

Yesterday was a day filled with socializing. It was one of the best days I have had since I arrived in Paraguay! I tererred my way across town and then ate my way back! I have made a number of new friends and its funny when I meet people because they always say - ¨I have seen you¨ - as if I am some sort of spectacle. Which in some ways I am very much a strange site to see. It is a bit like being a rock-star I imagine. (With less drug use!)

BIG NEWS! I am joining the Horqueta Youth Orchestra! Yes, imagine that, Peace Corps service and playing in an orchestra. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that moving to Paraguay would equal me re-learning how to play the violin and playing in an orchestra! I am thrilled! I have been two practices so far. I have a private lesson with an 11 year old named Katia on Monday. They are travelling to Buenos Aires in the beginning of October and I have been invited. WHOA!! Buenos Aires with a youth orchestra…um…ok! I will keep you posted on these developments! My volunteer coordinator with PC is working with a landfill community in Asuncion that makes stringed instruments out of trash from the landfill. So, should I get serious about this orchestra business…I will be purchasing a trash violin! I could not have dreamed up this part of my adventure if I tried!
This also means that I have about 25 new friends that are between the ages of 8-12! How exciting!

Update on Joparadio-una mezcla de todo! (our radio show) We are still in negotiations with the owner. He doesn’t seem thrilled to have us…but we are hoping to sweet-talk our way back onto the radio waves!

Last week I made spaghetti and meatballs and my Paraguayan family liked them! SUCCESS!

I can now also add ¨Dog Undertaker¨ to my resume. Unfortunately, I had to have the experience of helping bury my host-dog. Pacha, our family’s dog who was about 7 died last night. She was laid to rest this morning. My host dad started to dig the grave but I don’t think anyone should be responsible for digging the grave of a close friend. It was an emotional experience however there were only two of us present.

I am moving families on Wednesday! I have lived with my current family since I arrived in Horqueta and I am getting ready for a change, to know a few more people. Asking people point-blank if you can live with them is so bizarre! But it is actually not that weird in Paraguay. And if and when they say no, they say…oh you should talk to ------- they have room at their house. So! I am moving in with a family that has 4 between the ages of 15 and 22 which should be a step out of the ordinary! It will definitely be a different experience than living with the two families I have lived with thus far (they have all had younger kids and not teenage boys!) The adventure continues!