its time for a blog.

This was written about two weeks ago....its just getting to the world wide web today.

I sit here, in my local public library! (I am pre-typing) I love it – my safe haven. It is where I run to when I don’t want to sit in the municipality and do nothing. It is where I come when I just want to be. It is where I taught camera class. It is just a wonderful space. But most of this week, it is my safe haven. I am hiding from the “politicos”. We are about 10-12 days out from the presidential elections and people are a bit crazy to say the least. I work (or am supposed to work) in a political institution. But this week it is nearly impossible. It is almost like I am a ghost – when I walk in, it is almost like they can see through me. I am not doing much in terms of work within the Muni.
However there are a few great things happening! Libraries! Lets talk about books baby! As I mentioned above, I love our library! I had the opportunity to go to a library workshop put on by the Library Committee within Peace Corps. There were about 15 volunteers and community contacts that attended and were excited about getting books in the hands of Paraguayans everywhere! My librarian presented about our library, the troubles we have had and also the great things that have happened and services we provide! Our library was probably the most advanced of all of the libraries in attendance. Which was very cool, but it would have been nice to talk to someone who is a few steps ahead of us!

Here are a few of the successes and struggles of public libraries in Paraguay:
Lack of:
Building
Funding
Books
Administrative Support
Increasing the quantity of users
The troubles of reading not being a part of the Paraguayan culture

Successes:
Great community support
Creating a community space that can be used for night classes, classroom reading hours and general study purposes
Mobile Libraries (boxes of books that travel)
Library CARDS! (I am currently witnessing a new kid getting his card!)

To my librarians out there! I feel like we are kindred spirits now!

Something else great!
AhechaParaguay: (I see Paraguay) Digital Camera project! We are finishing up our photo exhibit now. The photos are hung in the Municipality and will be through this Saturday. The third step in the process is to exchange photos with another community that completed the same project, which our class will be completing soon!


What looks like a balloon with legs and smells really bad?
Not only have I worked in burying dogs, I can now add frogs to the list! That alone is not entertaining however. But the conversation leading up to it – was a little more so!
Neighbors: “Rachel, you have GOT to do something!”
N; “rachel, its huge!”
N:“Rachel, you have got to bury it before it explodes and we all get sick!”
N: “Rachel, cant you smell it, its huge?”
R: “I don’t know what you are talking about, I cant see anything unusual”
N: “Its right their, the inflated dead frog. You HAVE GOT to do something about it.”
N: “What are you going to do?”
R: Well I guess ill bury it.
Ns: yes and FAST!

End of story, I buried the frog. However, I am still suspicious about whether that frog died in my front yard…or my neighbors kindly moved it to my front yard so I would have the pleasure of taking care of it. Your guess…is as good as mine.


One more thing! Theres this phrase.
Si dios quiere. If god wants. Its used for everything. Things will happen…but only if god wants. For instance, “Si Dios quiere,” the trash collection will start April 15th. However, I have a bit of a tif with the phrase. I am about 99% sure that god (where ever he/she/it is) does not want people burning their trash, throwing it in the street or encouraging street dog plundering and would MUCH prefer organized trash collection…so really saying “si dios quiere” is really (I think) ridiculous! And…last time I checked creating some sort of organized Anything requires a little human work. So maybe instead people should say, “If we get our act together, our funding located, and the schedule set, trash collection will start April 15th.” But that might be assuming too much responsibility!

Site buddies!

You want to know what my friends are up to?
Here are a few of my closest pcv buddies and their blogs!

www.marykennon.com
Mary Kennon was a member of my original group of Muni and Coop volunteers. She lives about two hours on a very feo (bouncy, dusty) dirt road outside of Horqueta. I get the pleasure of seeing her about every 3-4 weeks when she comes in to use the internet, restock her supply of veggies and do all the other great things the big city has to offer.

www.jillinparaguay.blogspot.com
Jill is my site mate! She is an Urban Youth Development volunteer and specializes in talks on self-esteem, communication and decision-making. When she is not inspiring youth to believe in themselves, get along with each other better and lead more positive lives, she is training for the Buenos Aires marathon! She is my closest compatriot and most loyal beer drinking buddy.

www.beesinparaguay.livejournal.com
Sarah B, as she is known in these parts! One of most beloved Bee volunteers! She is currently teaching kids about gardening and tree hugging! B is an amazing gardener, honey producer and phenomenal musician. Not only is B known for her amazing vocal cords, but she plays a mean guitar, banjo and mountain dulcimer! (if you are lucky…all at the same time!)

www.nappi896.vox.com
Gina Nappi is a good buddy of mine who has helped me fulfill a few of my childhood dreams here in Paraguay! Gina was my roommate in Miami where they told us to wear our bike helmets and not go so crazy that we start nailing pancakes to the wall. Gina is a sassy muni volunteer that lives at the opposite end of the country! Luckily we have the opportunity to meet in Asuncion occasionally for margaritas!

We went out for a surprise birthday celebration in Calle 10, Danielle's (bright blue tank top) community!
(Luke, in cowboy hat, Danielle, Mary Kennon, w/ bandana, Lisa, gray t-shirt, and me-back row)
And of course a whole but of really happy Paraguayans!

¿Garden Party?

The week of Semaña Santa, myself and some fellow volunteers prepared our selves for Pascua with a (w)holy cleansing. We machete-ed my back yard! It was a truly liberating experience! It went from a jungle of pumpkin vines and mandioca plants to three beautiful tablones (garden beds). Below you will find a few pictures showing the fun we had!

Mary Kennon, Travis and myself, before the work had started!


Jill Anderson, site mate, urban youth volunteer...with new machete.

Danita Camper, beekeeping volunteer...showing her brut strenght.

Ready to PLANT!

Garden cleaning team! Look at that lindo tablon!
Me and Danita with Bananas, Jill with machete, Mary Kennon with da hoe, Mary with rake and Travis modeling with da shovel! All were incredibly hard workers and generous with their time!