First things first I need to describe my experience with fútbol. I was invited to a Cerro game by my hosts brother (there are two big teams. Cerro and Olimpia and they asked us our first week who we liked because its clearly really important. So even though I knew absolutely nothing about either team I claimed to be a Cerrista because my family are Cerro fans), I immediately invited Jen to come too, obviously. So after class we found our way to Asuncion and it was insane the amount of people were there. An interesting thing is that beer is not allowed to be sold in the stadium or anywhere near it because apparently people will get TOO crazy, which I completely believe. People are fanatical about fútbol here. There were tons of songs; I didn't understand any of them haha. It was such a great cultural experience! Plus they won, so that was fantastic!
Next order of business: FoodJen and I made snack for our tech class a week ago and we decided to make a fantastic salad that had lettuce (obviously), cucumber, red and green peppers, cheese, dried plums, oranges and avocado. It was a crazy mezlca but it was DELICIOUS! I also made a really good vinaigrette, and everyone was impressed with my skills, including myself! Our families were SUPER skeptical of the whole thing but once we forced them to try it they fell in love! That was so excited because we knew we had introduced them to something new and healthy! Way to go community health volunteers!
The next thing we learned how to make was Chipa. Chipa is like a really dense, semi-cheesy bagel. Its very traditional and its made in a tatakua (yeah I'm not sure if that's spelled correctly, shh don't tell). Jen's mom taught some of us and it was really fun, and they were amazed that we could do anything correctly in the kitchen haha.
look at us having fun!
now that's a fire!
I'm just so proud of my chipa!
I MADE A CHIPA PRETZEL!!!! :)
Yesterday before receiving our sites the staff took us to an awesome little town called Aregua. Its apparently the strawberry capital of Paraguay but they aren't in season currently. Shucks. We went to this hill/"mountain" thing, called a Cerro (not to be confused with the fútbol team), and the view was really beautiful. We did a little hike to the top, which would have been nice to know beforehand because none of the girls were dressed accordingly. I, for example, was wearing a skirt and fashion sandals. Not the best for hiking up rocks, although still fun. We also went to a famous lake there, but the water is so contaminated now that NO ONE will go in it. Its literally green with algae. Such a shame.
We returned from Aregua and received our sites! Drum roll please... I got Carmen del Paraná in the department of Itapúa. It's as south as I can go, honestly. If I went across the river I would be in Argentina. I'll be living about 30-60 minutes from the second largest city in Paraguay, called Encarnacion. Its supposedly super fun there so that's exciting! People will definitely want to visit me from my G. I mention this because I'm actually the farthest person in my G. Most people have at least one or two or 10 other G-mates nearby, but I'm sadly the only one who doesn't. I do, however, have other PCVs nearby. My health post seems super gaupo because they sent me a health plan magazine for their town, so I'm thrilled about this. My main contact is the directora from the puesto and as far as I know right now I will be living with her and her family for the first three months in site, I'm not 100% sure on this (or anything Peace Corps related ha). They seem to want me to work on project involving general health (I.e. dental health, parasites, etc) and also specified an interest in prevention of teen pregnancy so I would try to hold maybe a life skills course with a youth group to teach about healthy decision making, healthy relationships, goals for the future and then I would also throw in some sexual health info too. I'm pretty stoked about all of this, at the same time as being completely terrified. On Friday we go to meet our contact and then we'll visit our site for the next 5 days after that. What an awkward 8 hour bus ride. "sorry I don't know the language that well.. I swear I'm competent in some things! Please think I'm professional!" But, a super blessing is that they supposedly speak mostly Spanish instead of Guarani! :) hallelujah!
I'll update you when I know more info!
Yayayayay
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