I´m finally in Paraguay

Hello again,
It´s been quite an adventure just getting to Paraguay. I sure am glad I did not have to try this on my own. I slept a lot on the flights, but it´s never good enough sleep.
I arrived at the Peace Corps training center around 1 in the afternoon. Of the entire group we only lost one bag. Unfortunately, It was my bag. The good new is I got it this morning. I managed to do without everything in it without too much trouble.
On Thurday, a few hours after we arrived the leaders introduced us to our host families. We had a few interviews first to determine who would be best placed with whom. Questions such as do you like children, are you allergic to anything, do you like to walk, and are you a vegetarian.
My family is very nice. I live with my host Mama, Papa, and two sisters ages 15 and 7.

Ýou´re probably wondering if I live in a hut and if I have to boil my water. I was expecting a lot less modern, but I actually have a flushing indoor toilet and warm running water for my shower. I have been drinking water straight out of the tap. It tastes really good. My family has a pet dog named cookie and a little pig.

I have my own room. It´s very simple with a dresser, table, and little bed. I have been sleeping really well and getting a lot of sleep which is great. A lot of people hear the dogs and roosters which compete with eachother to bark and crow throughout the night. They all seem a ways off and I usually don´t hear them.

I have been enjoying the food a lot more than I thought. The hardest thing for me to get over and not think about is all the food safety rules I know are not being followed. It´s hard when you grow up with the orchard and then later working in restuarants. I´m always so hungry for each meal that I dont´have trouble eating.

My very first meal was probably the most entertaining. I was lead home from the CHPí (the smaller training sight) by my host Mama and sister. She called out to hear relatives that this was her daughter and that I was beautiful (mi hija. ella es linda) At dinner and bunch of my Mama´s sisters came over. She asked if I was hungry. I told her I was. She made me a sort of beef stew and then everyone proceeded to watch me eat. I didn´t let it bother me. My Spanish speaking abilities is sadly very limited, but I communicated as best I can. Since I had a long flight it was all I could do to get them to let me sleep.

One more story. I have huundreds of comical things that have happened, but I´m not sure how much this internet cafe is going to charge me. Next time I´ll prepare something in advance, but I didn´t have time and I´m sure everyone is eager for a little taste of Paraguay.

Over the course of the next 11 weeks I will receive about 8 different vaccinations. Don´t worry if you visit me you only need about 2. Malaria is not a concern here. On the same day that we had a medical interview it was required for us to receive a bee sting. You might assume that it´s a shot that mimics the toxin in a bee, but no. The guy in charge of the beekeeping extension technical training had a hat full of African bees. He would capture them one at a time and then hold one onto our arm until it stung us. We were then required to leave the stinger in so the toxin could be deposited. I´ve been stung before and that didn´t help if be any less painful. Mine swelled a little and had a little bloodred H shape where the stinger penetrated. The Hep A shot was less painful.

I tried to explain all of this to my family, but my Spanish is not good enough and my Guarani even less so. My language training is focused on Guarani for all of training, but I´m hoping to work on my Spanish on my own.

I must go, but please keep me in your prayers. I appreciate your comments and emials.

sonrisas,
raquel

I'm in Miami

I left this morning from Willard airport.  There were many hugs and pictures and then I finally had to walk through security.  It's hard to believe I am now sitting in a hotel in Miami and tomorrow I will be spending my golden birthday waiting to leave for Paraguay.  

My flight was mostly uneventful except for the overly helpful and repetitive flight attendant on my flight to O'Hare.  By the end, everyone was laughing in exasperation.  Especially since the majority of the passengers looked like seasoned fliers.

I looked ridiculous carrying my 35 lbs daypack around in addition to a huge rolling suitcase and an additional backpack.  I managed to find the shuttle and make it to the hotel without any trouble.

There are 42 people in my staging group who will be joining me in training in Paraguay.  I fall right in the majority age category.  I think there is one older woman and one married couple.  Otherwise everyone else is early twenties and most of us are women (at least 3/4).  Everyone has agriculture related programs.  I'm jealous of those in beekeeping, but I am sure I will get to collaborate on their projects, given that pollination is an important part of growing viable crops.

I miss everyone dearly.