A week ago today was my first birthday in South America. It made me happy and I felt very appreciated.
I woke up around 6:00 as usual and was out in the kitchen by about 6:25. I guess my family wanted to give me my presents quickly before work started so they all wished me a happy birthday and did the double kiss thing, except my dad, because guys dont kiss guys here, which is nice. Then I opened my presents.
The week before my birthday my sister asked me what gifts I wanted for my birthday and what I wanted to do. I just said that I wanted a Paraguayan birthday with Paraguayan gifts, and that is exactly what I got. I received two very nice shirts with references to Paraguay and Tereré, which I cant wait to wear around when I get home, a water bottle type thing that is made from unborn calf hide (if I understood correctly) and a very nice tereré thermos, which is one thing that I wasn't going to leave Paraguay without first buying. I really enjoy the thermos, especially since it has my name and "Paraguay" burned into the leather on the top.
At work, during lunch, we also had a little party with a cake and everything. When I got home from work the rest of "team paraguay" was waiting for me (my second birthday in a row with a surprise party!). With time more and more people started coming until there were about 20 people at my house. Several of them gave me gifts and all of them made sure to wish me a happy birthday and do the double kiss or handshake deal.
It was very nice to have my closest friends and family with me on the day of my nineteenth birthday. I felt very appreciated and was surprised that so many people ended up coming to my party. I hope that from every birthday from here on out I will always be able to remember my birthday in Paraguay. I wonder if this will be my last birthday in South America...
On a side note, Tuesday was my sisters birthday and I was awakened at about 1:30 in the morning to a mariachi band playing outside of her window that my sister had hired. Very fun!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Sena de Gala
Last week our Radical Journey team attended the CONEMPAR Mennonite youth camp. Much of our time was spent doing four things, eating, playing games, drinking terere and worship. Overall, it was a very fun camp and I had the opportunity to meet many new people. I also like to think that my Spanish progressed a decent amount.
For Daniel and myself the highlight of the camp was probably the last evening, the “Sena de Gala” During the duration of this event Daniel and I could barely look at each other without laughing. The situation was very similar to High school Prom, except much more corny.
The series of events went as followed... First, Daniel and I went to the local concession stand to buy our “special” 2 liters of Coca Cola, which was a necessity because we had both decided to reserve tables for only ourselves and our dates and we couldn’t be seen drinking the common juice like everyone else (everyone that had reserved a special table was supposed to buy Coke). Next we found our dates, took a few pictures and waited in line for the announcer to announce or names so we could enter the brightly decorated dining hall. Once inside we spent the evening eating our dinner and watching a slideshow of pictures from that week, while listening to very “high school graduation” type songs.
After the slideshow my date and I, as well as several other couples, had to get up and walk around in order to be judged for best looking couple.... or something like that. I didn’t really understand what was going on, all I knew is that people were clapping and that it was a contest of some sort. In the end my date and I got second place, not exactly sure what for, but I received many congratulations after the dinner.
After the long week I was very exhausted and happy to finally get home. It was a great experience and one that I will not soon forget.
For Daniel and myself the highlight of the camp was probably the last evening, the “Sena de Gala” During the duration of this event Daniel and I could barely look at each other without laughing. The situation was very similar to High school Prom, except much more corny.
The series of events went as followed... First, Daniel and I went to the local concession stand to buy our “special” 2 liters of Coca Cola, which was a necessity because we had both decided to reserve tables for only ourselves and our dates and we couldn’t be seen drinking the common juice like everyone else (everyone that had reserved a special table was supposed to buy Coke). Next we found our dates, took a few pictures and waited in line for the announcer to announce or names so we could enter the brightly decorated dining hall. Once inside we spent the evening eating our dinner and watching a slideshow of pictures from that week, while listening to very “high school graduation” type songs.
After the slideshow my date and I, as well as several other couples, had to get up and walk around in order to be judged for best looking couple.... or something like that. I didn’t really understand what was going on, all I knew is that people were clapping and that it was a contest of some sort. In the end my date and I got second place, not exactly sure what for, but I received many congratulations after the dinner.
After the long week I was very exhausted and happy to finally get home. It was a great experience and one that I will not soon forget.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Iguazu Falls
Just before Christmas my team and I had to renew our visas for the first time. So we (meaning Daniel) planned our trip and headed to Argentina. While we were there we had several various problems including; issues at customs, finding functional ATM´s, retrieving locked luggage and a 12 hour bus delay before heading back to Asuncion.
Even though some things didn’t go as planned, we still had the opportunity to see some extremely beautiful things. Iquazu Falls, one of South America’s largest tourist attractions, was incredible. The place looked just like paradise and in my opinion isn’t even comparable to Niagra Falls. The pictures I took will never be able to describe the pure beauty that I felt there. We also spent A LOT of time looking in shops and hanging around the local tourist town.
All of the excitement of getting out of my normal routine in Asuncion renewed my excitement to get out and explore my surroundings. Hopefully, now that we have settled into our new lives and that the holidays have passed, as a team we will be to get out and do a few more weekend trips in the near future.
Looking back at the trip, what really made it special was being able to share it with my friends. I’m sure I would have loved Iquazu Falls no matter what, because God made it beautiful, but being able to share and experience that splendor with others made the beauty real.
Even though some things didn’t go as planned, we still had the opportunity to see some extremely beautiful things. Iquazu Falls, one of South America’s largest tourist attractions, was incredible. The place looked just like paradise and in my opinion isn’t even comparable to Niagra Falls. The pictures I took will never be able to describe the pure beauty that I felt there. We also spent A LOT of time looking in shops and hanging around the local tourist town.
All of the excitement of getting out of my normal routine in Asuncion renewed my excitement to get out and explore my surroundings. Hopefully, now that we have settled into our new lives and that the holidays have passed, as a team we will be to get out and do a few more weekend trips in the near future.
Looking back at the trip, what really made it special was being able to share it with my friends. I’m sure I would have loved Iquazu Falls no matter what, because God made it beautiful, but being able to share and experience that splendor with others made the beauty real.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
