November

Well, I can start of by saying that November has easily been the best month yet in my exchange. 

To begin, my family from the United States came for a short visit this month, which is an experience that is fairly unique for foreign exchange students around here. On November 16th, I took the five hour bus ride from Pilar to Asuncion to stay with my sister to prepare for their arrival. My family would be flying in the following day around seven o'clock to the Asuncion airport and I was both anxious and a bit nervous to greet them. Luckily, up until their arrival I got to spend some time with my older sister who I don't see very often since she lives and works in Asuncion. She has a precious baby boy of four months, who is just charming.

When my family arrived, we all greeted each other with our biggest hugs. It was a dreamy feeling to see them walking through the automatic sliding doors in the airport dragging in their overstuffed suitcases, which later I would find out held some of the best chocolate and small gifts from the States. I already can't express my gratitude towards my stay here in Paraguay and them arriving into this gem of a country lifted my spirits even higher.

Just like me, that weekend my family got to use the public urban transportation in Asuncion for the first time. It's a system that functions decently, however, you have to both mentally and physically prepare to hold on tight. While cramming into an overfull bus, driven by who may or may not be a loco driver may make the average North American a little weary; but for us it was no problem. I'm lucky that my relatives are so adventurous and eager to dive into any new culture. I'm even more lucky that they were blessed with the ability to speak the Spanish language.

The first night of their stay was spent in Asuncion in the house where my older sister is currently living. We spent the evening talking and snacking on a bit of delicious chorizo con queso. The next day, everyone slept very late. I think between my family's journey to South America and the Paraguayan heat of Spring, they were thoroughly worn out. The heat can hit you pretty hard here if you aren't accustomed to it. Because of this we weren't able to go out in the city for very long because during the middle of the day it's so hot it's impossible to leave. Overall, I think all were content with just spending time together in this beautiful country. After a day of sleep, sharing and of course, eating, my family and I headed to Pilar.

When we arrived home in Pilar that Tuesday morning, my host mom and I helped my family get settled. My mom talked to them a bit about planning the rest of their journey through Paraguay and Argentina as there were many things they wanted to do here, but with little time. Up until Tuesday night, we talked and played card games. Unfortunately I couldn't take them around to see the my pretty little city because it was raining heavily all day.

On the final day of my family's short stay in Pilar, we had the opportunity to walk around a bit. I took them to see my school in the morning and in the afternoon we got to enter into Pilar's cotton factory! It's been a micro enterprise here since 1930. They export their products to Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay and Central America.

Cotton Factory

Unfortunately this was the last day that my family spent in Pilar. However they did have the chance to meet my AFS local chapter here and we all had pizza for dinner. After dinner they headed off to their next South American destination as I hugged them goodbye.

The 28th of November, as you already know, was the day of our great feast in the United States, Thanksgiving. My host mom who she herself spent a year in the USA with AFS when she was seventeen, decided it would be a great idea to have our own feast here in Paraguay. And so.. we did!!
As you can probably imagine the abundance of turkey here is pretty minimal, so we did what is logically Paraguayan... we had a barbecue! I also prepared brownies. Most of our visitors had never had eaten a brownie before. It was a Thanksgiving I'll never forget.

On November 30th, my classmates and I had our Prom/Graduation in our school. It's really the polar opposite of Prom in the United States. Here graduates invite all of their relatives to come to the dance. They set out a table with food to munch on and bring coolers full of soda and beer. Drinks are passed within family, friends, and fellow graduates and dances are shared.

All of the 3rd year students and their mother or father paraded in front of their friends and family. I presented with my brother and I was the last to go out. It's wasn't as a dramatic of an  experience for me as it was for my classmates. For them it's the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, where they have to make their own decisions and depart from their beloved classmates that they spent their secondary years with. The bond between my classmates is notably strong due to the time they spent together. I think spending 4-6 years with 23 others in the same classroom, hours on end, as the teachers shuffle in and out, creates more of a family of brothers and sisters rather a 'class' for teenagers here in Paraguay. While I can relate to moving on from high school, I can't imagine the feeling of leaving from a family so intimate.

Though I only got to spend little time with this group, I'll never forget them. They accepted me when I could hardly speak a word. They helped me so much more than they can realize as they helped to immerse me more into their culture and their family of classmates. I will forever carry them in my heart.

Happy December.
And for me, Happy Summer Vacation!

October

This past month in Pilar, schools began to compete in a variety of tournaments. Similar to the United States, our soccer, volleyball, basketball, and dance teams competed against other schools. However, here, rather than having an entire season devoted to a sport, they do it all in one or two weeks. I had a great time gathering with friends to cheer on our classmates. "Cheer".. the underestimation of the century... honestly, if anyone has school spirit and the energy to continuously chant, scream, jump, and heavily beat on bass and snare drums all evening for their school, it's people here! My favorite event was the competition of the best fans. Each school had their decorated student/family section in the gym and everyone went crazy with school spirit for a good while. My school won that event, and we had no problem charging the court with our excitement and the gigantic school flag.

Our Mascots for the event of the best fans were from Monster's University.

There's really nothing more beautiful than people uniting for a cause. Paraguay's rich in a togetherness I've never felt anywhere else. That's why I love this country so much.

On Sunday, I went with my family to watch the dance competitions. They had competitions in both Folkloric dance of Paraguay and rhythmic gymnastics. It was super awesome to see a bit of culture and even cooler to see people I know doing it. However, the rhythmic gymnastics were definitely the most exciting part! It was like nothing I've ever seen before. My sister was one of the dancers for our school and I think she made us all really proud. She did such an excellent job and it made me so happy to see her perform, because I know how much she had been practicing over the past month. The group did so well that they won the dance competition! And they totally deserved it. If you have the time I recommend clicking on the link to the video below to get a taste of some of the sweet stuff they did.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkuVqPmZ-8I#t=17

On a more serious note, the teachers here are still working for the rights that they deserve. I have been going with my mom every week for three weeks for praying in the Plaza. I hope things can improve for teachers here in Paraguay. Teachers play such an important role everywhere and it hurts me to see them and their families struggling.

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On Halloween my sister Vivi gave me some candy so I could still take part in my Halloween tradition here in Paraguay.. and I almost thought I would be stuck with a healthy Halloween. ;) Honestly, it made me really happy. 

Tonight I'm going to the Halloween party in town to go dancing with my sister and a family friend. I'm going to be a mime. Surely there will be pictures to follow.

Oh yeah! And I cut my hair short for the first time!

Happy November. My American parents are coming to Paraguay this month, it's the birthday of two of my sisters, and the 30th is my graduation with my classmates, kicking off summer vaykay!
Xoxo

Goooodbye September

No puedo creer que ya es Octubre otra vez..

21st of September: Dia del Juventud/La Primavera!

On the 20th of September, there was a party in my school (yea - a party at school) for the day of the youth and the welcoming of Spring. The entire day was devoted to having fun, spending time with each other, and of course, not to be forgotten... dancing! In the morning, at around 10:00 am, the three girls who were elected Miss Prom, Miss Spring, and Miss Santo Tomas were presented infront of those students who came to watch. However, what you may not have guessed.. is that I was elected Miss Prom (supposively the prettiest girl in the 3rd/last grade)! Overall, it was a good time even though at first I had no idea what I had been agreeing to! But what girl could say no to a crown..

Pictures that were taken before the students voted:

 

And Presenting..

After I changed out of my high heels and converted myself back to normal Alexis, my classmates and I went out to eat for lunch and came back to the school to dance. We danced the entirety of the afternoon until they cut the party to an end at about 5:30pm. My classmates and I were the last ones there because many of the others went to the other schools to party. I had so much fun getting familiar with some of the Paraguayan music and their manner of dancing. They dance to a lot of Cumbia and Reggaeton here, something we don't hear much of in the United States. They really know what they're doing, and as a foreign girl, I just do what I can and have just as much fun. I'm determined to learn some steps before I leave here!

 

For sure one of the best days of my life thus far.

28 of September: Excursion - Encarnacion, PY:
On Saturday the 28th I went on a field trip with my classmates and the other last year class to Encarnacion. With energy, we all piled into the bus at 1:00 am. There weren't enough seats for everyone, so some students stood or found a way to sit in the aisles, or on each other. The ride was a little over five hours, but for me it passed fairly quickly. When we arrived, our first visit was to a Yerba Mate (the tea they drink in Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina) factory. It was really interesting and surprised me how much they do by hand rather than by machine.

After the factory, we ate lunch and headed to the Jesuit Mission ruins. Personally, I love ruins and this was one of the sights I wanted to see before I even knew I was coming to Paraguay for sure! So I'm really happy I get to cross this one off my bucket list. And not to mention, ruins are always so much more fun with friends..

 

 

 

To end our field trip, we were let free to roam the coast by the Parana River in Encarnacion. A couple of girlfriends and I got some ice cream in the Plaza and after we made our way down to the coast. It was really beautiful. It seems that no matter which city you are in, if there's a coast, it's a popular place to be. There we hung out with friends and messed around. One of my bestie's threw me down in the sand and I had a good time chasing after her.

At about 6:00 pm, the bus came to pick us up again and we said goodbye to Encarnacion. ...Also to be noted, buses with classmates are a hell of a lot more fun here. Never seen so much singing and dancing on a field trip before.

This trip was certainly one that I'll never forget.

29th of September: Cumple de Larita
On Sunday, after my trip and a deep sleep, family and friends came to celebrate my niece's 1st birthday. And just like many other things... Paraguayans know how to do a birthday right. I have never seen so many friends, family, sweets, and beautiful decorations all in one place ever before in my life. My sister had been working hard getting everything ready for the party for quite some time. But I had no idea it was going to be so amazing. She had a bee theme, and I think my niece really enjoyed herself. I know I sure did.
Sunday was also the first time that I have been with all of my brothers and sisters all in the same place. I love my family here.

My sister Raquel and nephew Maxi

Lil' Hawkeyes Fan

The whole family!

Never too old for face paint, though some argued with us against it.. 

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Everyone's energy and highness here makes me so happy. I have experienced feelings of both unity and intimacy that I have never felt in the States. And that statement can only possibly touch just the surface on my feelings.

I already can't imagine ever leaving.