Last week I asked for "new volunteer advice" from the surrounding volunteers in my area, after my first VAC meeting. They all had similar advice which was, 'don't talk talk to Paraguayans about other Paraguayans, whether it be good or bad." I suppose most volunteers learn this the hard way through small town gossip. I learned this lesson last night in a very large and public fiasco.
Let me set the scene: Adrianna, my host niece, has been preparing a special dance for the school festival for the past two weeks. I knew that it was to be last night and that we were oing as a family. It was to start at 8 pm. When we left, I immediately realized that it was not a small school festival, like I had thought.I walked out of the house and heard music blaring. The school had rented speakers and hired a DJ...yes, a little out of place for my Paraguayan neighborhood. But just as I soon realized after arriving, there are many things in Paraguay that are a little odd. One being that while the country is behind in things like having modern bathrooms, sinks in kitvhens, electric stoves, everyone has a cell phone, sometimes they hire DJ's and have large sound system's for the schools who don't have money for books, and people with no bathroom sometimes have motorcycles. Anyways, back to te story....
We arrive at 7... it doesn't actually start until 9 because time here is called the "Paraguayan hour" which is kinda like island time. Anywo, there ends up being between 400 and 500 people here. My niece danced first and it was beautiful, she is just the cutest little girl! Next, there were other dances and several internationally reknown Paraguayan musicians. One in particular gave me goosebumps. He was about my age and sung like and angel and could play the guitar better than I had ever heard. My family has been asking me since I got here if I have found someone to be my novio Paraguayo (Paraguayan boyfriend) yet. I turned to my host Mom, laughed, and said "Ya encontraste mi nuevo novio Paraguayo" (I have just found my Paraguayan boyfriend.) I was JOKING, obviously as I laughed and patted her leg. The next thing I know, she runs up to the stage to tell the anouncer that there is a Pretty American who wants this guy as her boyfriend! He announces this to all 400 people here, including the strikingly talented and good looking artist on the stage. At this point we are both red in the face and I am DYING laughing in my seat, feeling more embarrassed than I have in a while. It is really hard to embarrass me, well done Paraguayan Mom, well done. She returns back to her seat to say that she thought he should know and that he says I am very beautiful... BLAH!
So, hooray embarrassing moments. Oh, the romance is sizzling in Paraguay.
What's going on this week?
Tuesday an eye doctor is going to come out here to give eye exams for free!! (Thank you Kristin for connecting me)
Wed I will be visiting two commissions to invite them out to my site presentation for the followin day
Thurs SITE presentation...wooo!!!
Fri The big newspaper in Paraguay is coming out to my site to do a story about how hard working my Women's commission is...YAY!!!
Sat-Mon I'm off to Asuncion to pick up packages, get my flu shot (that the Peace Corps is forcing me to have), do some work in the office, and have a little fun with some of my girlfriends
2 comments:
Emily! Glad to see things are going well for you. I love the contrasts you weave about material comforts like motorcycles and bathrooms. And your interaction was priceless - perhaps you will get a chance to turn the tables on mom at some point!
When I stayed in Ecuador I learned very quickly that pointing fun at someone for their physical traits was ok, but not for the personality traits. Some of the town ladies had a good laugh at me when I slid down some stairs and ripped my pants. I got to return the favor when I walked into the middle of one of their conversations and they thought my Spanish wasn't good enough to realize they were discussing the possible sizes of the male students private areas (including mine!) - needless to say they wouldn't look me in the eye for weeks!
Keep that sense of humor!
-rusty
It’s never too early to think about the Third Goal. Check out Peace Corps Experience: Write & Publish Your Memoir. Oh! If you want a good laugh about what PC service was like in a Spanish-speaking country back in the 1970’s, read South of the Frontera: A Peace Corps Memoir.
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