Random Parts

Before we left the states for our Peace Corps service in Paraguay, a friend gave me some good advice. She told me to really look, take note, and jot down some of the random, everyday things we noticed in our new surroundings, because as we began to acculturate, they would become commonplace. So, taking her advice, here are a few random notes from the field, (please excuse my weird “stream of consciousness” ramblings…): 

We have seen up to 5 people riding on a moto at a time, including a baby and the family dog.

Events in our town are advertised by a truck, with a three foot tall speaker, driving through neighborhoods with the repeated announcement blaring.

Whether door to door or on buses, vendors on foot sell a variety of wares for your convenience. These items might include, but aren’t limited to: pineapples; bedding; car antennas; kitchen utensils; cup of coke or water from a bottle that’s been reused; fans; lottery tickets; cell phone chargers and covers; chipa, (delicious Paraguayan bread); toys; windshield wipers; pots and pans; CDs “pirata”, (yes, they even admit they are pirated!); Jehovah Witnesses and LDS selling their faith; candy and gum; clothes; sunglasses; towels; beer, served through the window of the bus at the bus stop, (they advertise it as “kamby” or milk, in Guarani); cow heads, stomachs, and assorted organs.

Gas is called “Nafta” and is sold in recycled soda bottles at a small despensa in our town. The different grades of gas are color coded, and make for a visually attractive roadside stand.

The manes of horses are roached or cut straight off, including forelocks.

When it rains in this subtropical climate, it is a mystery as to whether the liquid dripping down your back is rain or your own sweat.

A serrated knife is a tool for all purposes, from sawing small branches, to making holes in leather, to cutting through plastic bottles, and yes, even slicing a tomato. ”With the same knife?” you ask. Of course!

Many items in Paraguay are “re-purposed” when they can no longer be used for their original purpose. A burned out florescent light bulb is no exception. It gets wired to a long piece of bamboo, positioned near the house and becomes a TV antennae.

If you dip a recently killed chicken into boiling water, the feathers come off much more easily.

I learned how to ride a bike, no, really. Riding a bike in Arazape is a completely different experience. I have honed my skills in: dodging cows, pigs, dogs, horses, chickens, and motos; dodging cow, pig, dog, horse and chicken manure; shifting gears to go up and down hills on dirt trails while navigating rocks, ruts, and pot holes; and riding on cobblestone roads while balancing ever so slightly above the seat- you get the picture…..

We have a new pet- He is silent during the day, (invisible too, as we have yet to discover where he sleeps), and exits our front door every night to fill up on unsuspecting bugs in the night. We just happened to notice this huge kururu, (toad), one night. He just minds his own business and we mind ours. Please submit your suggestions, as he is yet to be named

Sugar is a highly prized commodity here in Paraguay. It is added generously to juice, sliced fruit, and the morning cocido. They start young with this habit- at least 3 heaping teaspoons of the prized granular white stuff is added to the milk in a baby’s bottle.

The wood used to build fences and gates is so hard and durable that it is also used to make the hinges for the gates.

 

When an ant bites you, (and it will- seems like they have an affinity for Norte meat), you will experience four phases: First- it hurts! For such a tiny insect, it sure carries a mean punch; Second- the bitten area becomes a tiny pustule of infection; Third- it itches and you will scratch like crazy until; Fourth- you create a little sore that takes about a week to heal.

The Paraguayan kids are similar to kids in the states- same big smiles, same sense of curiosity and wonder, same desire to learn, same dirty feet. 

Whether handing a bowl of soup over the fence; inviting us over for dinner, terere, or to celebrate a 90^th birthday; waving and yelling saludos in the streets; or listening patiently and laughing with us at our slowly progressing language skills, the people in this community have been welcoming and wonderful.

Enough randomness for one night- Hey, I just realized absolutely nothing itches today! Now that was random!