Ten cuidado- this post may not be suitable for those with weak stomachs...
Yes- I shared my 50th B-day with the Peace Corps 50th Anniversary!
My 50th brought with it much time communing with nature and some interesting desicion making..... Do I have time to run to the outhouse to puke? Do I really want to go to the outhouse to puke? In the end, my body made the decision for me- around the corner, in the grass suited me fine. :)
Then, body awareness continues, even at 50. How long do you have after intense internal swishing sounds, followed by the "rush to the gate", before you need to swing that outhouse door shut? Happily, the self control I´ve developed over the years helped me to remain an outsider to the popular, "I crapped my pants" trainee club, even though the president was hoping to increase membership...
After an herbal remedy prepared by Antolina- a tea brewed with plantain root, a Clean Canteen filled with boiled water and a little rice with cheese, I was as good as new!
The icing on the cake was the visits from fellow trainees, despite my ability to unknowingly share the dreaded chivivi. :) Lots of B-day wishes, hand made cards, a b-day crown, a beautiful ao poi blusa, a b-day card from the states, (thanks Mom!), and a special card from my Maxwell buddy Kim, (Thanks!), and my entire conservation environment group sporting black in my honor. :)
Despite a rough start to the day, overall, I had a great 50th b-day in Paraguay. I just need to look at the gorgeous scenery that greets me every time I open the door to my casita- I´m living in the Heart of South America- Paraguay!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Wielding a machete, (and keeping all of your body parts intact)
Learning tecnical skills is part of the training we are all receiving in PC Paraguay. As part of a huerta, (garden), project, we built a fence made of bamboo, using machetes. Some things to consider in the fine art of machete wielding:
1. Locate your feet and legs- do not allow the machete to come in contact with them.
2. Maintain a safe distance between you non-wielding hand and the machete.
3. Sharpen your spatial awareness- good friends don´t let friends wildly swing machetes, especially near them!
Once the ground rules were set, we went to work splitting and quartering four foot long sections of bamboo. These were lashed to bamboo cross members, attached to fence posts.
Our bamboo fence turned out great and will do a fine job of protecting our garden from the chickens, ducks, dogs, and cows that live on the farm. Not to mention the awesome machete skills we learned in the process!
1. Locate your feet and legs- do not allow the machete to come in contact with them.
2. Maintain a safe distance between you non-wielding hand and the machete.
3. Sharpen your spatial awareness- good friends don´t let friends wildly swing machetes, especially near them!
Once the ground rules were set, we went to work splitting and quartering four foot long sections of bamboo. These were lashed to bamboo cross members, attached to fence posts.
Our bamboo fence turned out great and will do a fine job of protecting our garden from the chickens, ducks, dogs, and cows that live on the farm. Not to mention the awesome machete skills we learned in the process!
Cultural Discoveries!
When you come to visit Paraguay, (and I know you will), here are a few cultural adaptations you may encounter. Here are a few of my observations in the form of a top 10 list...
1. If you want to say hello, don´t say "Hola", instead say, "Adio".
2. If you want to say goodbye, don´t say "Adios", instead say, "Chao".
3. To visit someone´s house, don´t knock on the door. Instead, outside of the property, clap, clap, clap your hands until someone comes out, then exclaim, "buen dia!"
4. Get rid of the dinner bread basket, replace it with a steamimg bowl of mandioca.
5. A regular medical check up may include vaccinations for: Yellow fever, Hepetitas A and B, Rabies, Typhus, and tetnus.
6. Get rid of your germ phobias and get ready to share a bombilla and guampa, (a special cup and straw that are shared with everyone in the group), filled with delicious terere, (cold yerba mate), while enjoying conversations with visitors to your home.
7. Slow down- long pauses during conversation are the norm while sharing terere.
8. Be prepared to assume "moto formation" while walking in groups as several motos will be passing you on your trek.
9. Enjoy your fruits and veggies in the states- these are seasonal in the campo and are not available year round- like now :).
10. Be ready yell a friendly "Adio!" to every house or moto or house you pass- Paraguayans have to be some of the friendliest people in the world!
Chao!
1. If you want to say hello, don´t say "Hola", instead say, "Adio".
2. If you want to say goodbye, don´t say "Adios", instead say, "Chao".
3. To visit someone´s house, don´t knock on the door. Instead, outside of the property, clap, clap, clap your hands until someone comes out, then exclaim, "buen dia!"
4. Get rid of the dinner bread basket, replace it with a steamimg bowl of mandioca.
5. A regular medical check up may include vaccinations for: Yellow fever, Hepetitas A and B, Rabies, Typhus, and tetnus.
6. Get rid of your germ phobias and get ready to share a bombilla and guampa, (a special cup and straw that are shared with everyone in the group), filled with delicious terere, (cold yerba mate), while enjoying conversations with visitors to your home.
7. Slow down- long pauses during conversation are the norm while sharing terere.
8. Be prepared to assume "moto formation" while walking in groups as several motos will be passing you on your trek.
9. Enjoy your fruits and veggies in the states- these are seasonal in the campo and are not available year round- like now :).
10. Be ready yell a friendly "Adio!" to every house or moto or house you pass- Paraguayans have to be some of the friendliest people in the world!
Chao!
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