Just photos, just for fun!

I´m gonna take a break from being long-winded, and just do a super quick update with photos and captions. From my house, to my work, host family and volunteer fun, think of it like a mini-trip to Paraguay. Enjoy!

uvas

These red grapes (still unripe) grow in my side yard. Add these to pineapple, mango, banana and apple  and you´ll have a heterei ensalada de frutas (super delicious fruit salad).

banana grove

And those are my very productive banana trees, just about ready to be harvested. I divvy the goods up among land landy, neighbors and friends, and save some for myself. They are especially delicious in afore mentioned fruit salad, or with morning oatmeal (topped with honey and almonds, of course).

my well

That’s me and my neighbor’s backup water supply. My pueblo has a municipal water system. I usually pay about 10,000 Guaranis a month for the service ($2). However, if we lose power for an extended period of time, the water tank’s motor shuts off, and the tank drains pretty quickly. I have lots of 1.5L bottles stored away for drinking water, but the well is a good back up.

priceless

No tengo lavarropa. I don’t have a washing machine. But I have the next best thing, and that is an outdoor sink where I can splish, splash, make a mess and get my clothes all clean!

laundry

And a long line for drying. That plant below is parsley. In the next few months, I hope to start my huerta (garden).

tati yupi - nature preserve

There’s a big lake at Tati Yupi, the nature reserve maintained by the folks that created the binational dam Itaipu. There used to be forrest there.

pasta with pork

There’s an amazing restaurant Sugu in nearby Caacupe (and you thought my foodstalking days were over?) operated by some Swiss folks. They have a daily menu, fixed price, that includes salad, bread, entrée (usually a pasta with meat) and dessert for 20,000 Gs ($4). Talk about value meal. Plus they serve German beer, European style coffee, fresh juices and sodas. They also have wireless and a lovely patio. Little haven that it is.

afternoons

This is what a lot of my afternoons look like. Book, feet up, terere. This particular day it was pouring down rain. So I posted up in my cable chair with Outliers and enjoyed the cool air. Sidenote: my goal is to read 100 books during my 27 month Peace Corps service. My stretch goal is double that. I had a slow start, but I’m on books 18 and 19 now (Bastard out of Carolina and Daughter´s Keeper).

lunch time

I was having terere with Ña Ede a while back. Her dog Kaiser was roaming around the yard, and her sweet baby granddaughter was feeding him kibble a piece at a time.

mate dulce

The hot yerba drink, mate, but served with sweet milk. A delicious start to the morning.

terere and the arrival of san blas

The day of the festival of San Blas, I joined my host family at their house to serve juice to the pilgrims bringing a miniature version of San Blas to the pueblo‘s church. Here’s host dad Amado and the neighbors drinking terere and the incoming saint parade. And below, the saint resting in the living room.

san blas

serving up juice

Thanks for checking the blog. I’ll add some more photos in the next few days. Part 2 to come. Love and peace,

Emily