The Best Christmas Gift Ever…..

Was a Visit From our Kids!

Our beautiful kids, (minus 1- we missed you, Eliot!)

In late November our kids journeyed all the way to Paraguay to visit us and see some of the sights in South America. It was amazing to see them, listen to stories about their lives, get lots of big hugs, and see that that these wonderful people who we get to call family are doing well and doing good in the world!

Our travels and adventures went something like this…..

After resting and visiting Mercado 4,

Ty at Mercado 4 where he got his guampa, bombilla and possibly his awful stomach bug!

the Peace Corps office, markets, plazas, and other sites in Asuncion for a couple of days, we got a rental car and headed for our community.  During the 4 days in Arazape, our kids got to see our work in site, meet neighbors, experience the culture, and help open a new library in a small barrio school.

Amber and Ashley help pass out books for the new library in Jhugua, Paraguay.

The kids bought guampas, bombillas, and hammocks to take a little piece of Paraguay home with them!

We celebrated Christmas a month early, ate a big pot of beans, and traded gifts of handmade items from Paraguay for jars of peanut butter, spices, Sierra Nevada pale ale, and recorded music from home! Oh, and did I mention that I got to feel my first grandbaby, due in April, kick for the first time?!

Dave’s awesome driving skills took us to Encarnacion, the Jesuit Ruins of Trinidad, then North to Ciudad de Este. We crossed the Rio Parana on a ferry to Argentina, and arrived at the “tres fronteras” of Paraguay, Brasil, and Argentina. Despite a little rain, Iguazu Falls was incredible, especially la Garganta del Diablo, the rain forest, the animals, birds and butterflies! After 3 days in Puerto Iguazu, we returned to Asuncion.

The "crew" in front of the "Garganta del Diablo", Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Unfortunately this was the end of our visit with Ashley and Tyler, who had to return home. There were lots of tears- so hard to see them go… They boarded a plane, and we, (Amber, Dave, Mark, and I), hopped on a bus to Argentina. We traveled through Resistencia, and Salta, finally ending up in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. We took a two-day tour through the Atacama Desert, (the driest desert in the world), and the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, (the largest salt flat in the world)- breathtaking with red lakes, pink flamingos, and volcanos reaching 19,000ft- like being on another planet! We even stayed in a hotel constructed of salt, with rock salt floors!

Amber and Dave at the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

A night bus brought us to La Paz, Bolivia with busy street markets, colorful textiles, and women wearing bowler hats! Onward to Cuzco, Peru where we prepared for another big adventure- a four day trek to Machu Picchu. The trek was daunting at times, (where is the oxygen at 12,000ft?), and gave us a true appreciation for the Inca who used this trail for travel.

Mark and I dumped our backpacks to take a break on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru.

We were rewarded with once in a life time scenery and glimpses of the past, especially as we rounded the corner to see Machu Picchu at sunrise, in all of its glory!

We made it! Our trek group posing in front of Machu Picchu.

The next morning, Amber and Dave hopped a flight back to the states, (more tears), and Mark and I boarded a bus to Copacabana, Bolivia. We stayed in hotel on the shore of Lake Titicaca, (highest navegable lake in the world), enjoyed this beautiful place and rested our weary bones.

 Women near booths selling decorations for "the blessing of the cars" in Copacabana, Bolivia

We next headed to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, where we boarded another bus and finished the last leg of our journey back to Asuncion.

In all- Five countries, fascinating destinations, interesting cultures, beautiful scenery, awe-inspiring adventures, and incredible opportunities- my favorite part, you ask?

The best Christmas gift, ever…. Spending precious time with our fascinating, interesting, beautiful, inspiring, incredible kids, (minus one- we missed you, Eliot!)!

A Visit From Home

Our friends Mary Jo and Charlie came to visit us from the states. After their 6000 miles of cramped legs, meals on board, and two layovers, we met them at the at 2:30am. It was so exciting to see our neighbors, from home, in the Paraguayan airport- a little surreal, actually.

Our visit and vacation was a whirlwind of activity. We spent a few days in Asuncion, catching up on sleep, eating good food, and sharing stories. Charlie rented a car, and we were off to Arazape. While in town we visited our two schools, delivered books, saw  Porto Garata, then made it back to the house to start dinner. Emily stayed with us that evening as well.

500 Books for the school in Arazape!

The following morning we attended the Ovecha Rague- an event our community has been preparing for all year. The beautiful wool items, created by local artisans, were on display, including a parade, and lots of typical foods.

Ovecha Rague

Onward to Encarnacion, and the Jesuit Ruins of Jesus and Trinidad. The sound and light show at Trinidad was fantastic! Mary Jo and Charlie were troopers through the rain and even used some Spanish along the way! 

Jesuit Reductions

Smile!

Next we headed to Ciudad de Este, where the real adventure began. We were pulled over twice, as expected, by the police. We were told to expect to be asked for money, (bribes), but with Charlie’s international driver’s license our Peace Corps ID’s , we were sent on our way without being asked for a dime, (or quiniento)! We nearly went over the bridge to Brazil, (for which we had no visas), but Charlie’s keen eye and expert driving skills, maneuvered us through a space in the cement partition, and got us headed in the right direction. Good thing, too, as if we did end up in Brazil without visas, we would have been detained and fined heavily, (we joked about handcuffs, pero probablamente no).

Finding the ferry to cross the boarder to Argentina took four stops and four kind Paraguayans patiently directing our way, some correct, some not. Again, thanks to Charlie’s quick U turns, Mark’s skills as navigator, and Mary Jo and my determination to keep our backseat driving to a minimum, we made it to the ferry.

Crossing the river on the ferry, we made it to Argentina. A pretty special crossing, actually, as the river touched the three boarders of Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina- 3 South American countries in 15 minutes!

After spending the night in Porto Iguazu and eating more wonderful food, we headed to Iguazu Falls. In two words, Absolutely Amazing! The shear force of the falls created strong wind and left everyone drenched! Rainbows were created by the lower falls, as butterflies, coatis, turtles and fish were spotted along the way. We hiked and again, ate more wonderful food!

Just two of the many falls at Iguazu

Finally, we started our trek back to Asuncion. We were stopped by another police officer who we thought asked us if we had any “contraband.” After assuring her we had no contraband, we realized she was saying “contramano”, (the wrong way), looked up and saw the one-way sign. We had a big laugh about that one- while the officer kept a straight face- Loco Nortes!

What a wonderful adventure we had with our buddies from the states! When I announced that I had made the decision that they “were not allowed to leave Paraguay”, Mary Jo and Charlie continued on their way to Costa Rica to celebrate their anniversary, anyway. Were they not listening?

Thanks again, Mary Jo and Charlie!

Yesterday, a fellow volunteer asked me about my favorite part of our trip, as she was planning a trip to the same locations. The decision was an easy one for me, but unavailable to her. My favorite part was the sharing of time, opinions, laughs, and conversations, with two special friends who came all the way to Paraguay to visit us!