Roast Chicken in Paradise

I never thought I'd say this, (especially after turning down my first Peace Corps invitation to Environmental Education in Jamaica) but Iḿ really enjoying working in the schools. As I mentioned, I started out taking some story books in, and reading for 15 or 20 minutes in a few classrooms a few times a week (I just show up whenever I want, in any classroom, and instantly I have the floor. Thatś tranquilo, guys!). I was surprised at how well the kids responded, especially to the nonfiction books (dinosaurs, stars, ocean, animals, etc) but what really let me know that I was on the right track was the teachers. Initially, most of them were just glad to get out of occupying their classes for a few minutes (no lesson plans here. Sometimes the kids spend their whole 3.5 hours of class time per day cleaning the school and the yard. Not quality education at all...) but several made comments to me about how much the kids liked the books, and sometimes I could see that the teacher was learning something, too. Paraguayans arent known for expressing opinions, so them telling me directly something positive like that was huge and very encouraging! I have to refresh my books when I go into Asuncion, but in the mean time I have another kernel of an idea in my head....!
Ive been reading Our Common Future, which, for those of you who dont know, is the first report made (in 1987) by the UN Environmental Comision after their first Summit on Sustainable Development. One statement stood out to me in particular: it asserts that country schools in developing countries should be teaching what is revelant to the studentś career future, or, more specifically, agriculture. Considering it more carefully, I don know why I never thought of it before. Why should I try to get 60 year old farmers who have been doing what they do for years and years to change their ways, when I can just teach it to future farmers straight off the bat? Plus, teaching basic sustainable farming is totally approachable for me, since not too long ago I was taught it, and I have tons of student matieral on it; the method and layout of the lessons are pretty clear in my head (unlike teaching English--Id have no idea where to start!!) So I'm going to talk to the director and see if she wont give me one class a week, possibly with optional attendance, of an older group. Well see how I do.
My water project remains much the same. Pretty much all I do is write fancy letters to the director of the national water commision on behalf of the water committee in my town asking him to please not forget us and why. Getting what youŕe after here has nothing to do with what you deserve or what is fair or (in the case of a job) if youŕe most capable. Rather, its all about who you know, what you do for them, and how much you ask. When in Rome....
I had one unsuccessful attempt to regroup the youth group. We were going to watch a movie, but most of the youth (in typical paraguayan fashion) showed up 1.25 hours late, and by then the ones whod come on time wanted to leave anyway. The thing got finished off when our TV suddenly stopped working, as well as those of all the neighbors, because of some weird electrical short. It was neverwracking, not so much because of the delays (thatś normal here) but because being a good hostess in Paraguay is soooo different, and although I recognize that, Iḿ neither good nor gracefully bad at it, and wear myself out worrying if Juan said he didn want more juice because he really doesnt or because I am supposed to offer several times before he accepts, and how do you serve popcorn in Paraguay? Ack! It was, however, encouraging that people actually come, so I might try another when thereś some slow Sunday afternoon in sight.
Ive had some fun day trips. A fellow volunteer had a St. Patricks Day party, and we made Irish stew among other delicacies. On my way home, I was *delighted* to learn that I had a 3.5 hour wait between buses, even though it isn that far from my house. I sat down in front of a small store, and as the time passed one of the daughters came out and we talked, talked, drank terere, talked...she invited me some DELICIOUS chipa guasa (thats like corn casserole made out of fresh corn, cheese, and onion) and then, when the bus was looking like it wasnt going to come and I was feeling faint with hunger, an amazing chicken breast in vegetable sauce. Oh my! Vegetarian? Situationally, my friends. Physical necesity and social graces must outdo moral convictions occasionally.
Even more exciting was Enrique and my visit to Salto Cristal, the closest thing to a tourist attraction you can find in Paraguay, and only a matter of miles from my house. We packed lots of warm clothes, sleeping gear, and delicious food (brownies, sopa, and baked chicken, yummy) and left the house at 2am to catch the early bus. By 3 we had begun out 20km walk up and down hills and through miles and miles of sugar cane fields to the falls. We got there by 8.30, not without a few rests, but avoiding the heat of the day. I passed out for a good long nap, and then we descended the brick was to hang out, swim, and eat lunch in this beautiful little tropical paradise. Now I was looking forward to a nice little fire, beautiful stars, and a long night of sleep, but Enrique (being Paraguayan) just couldnt stand the idea of spending the night. "Itś just too lonely here! Iĺl die of sadness. If there were other people, maybe..." Thatś what you get for sharing a 5-room house with 10 other people for the larger portion of your life. SO, at 2.30, luggging the unused tent, sleeping bag, and long johns, we walked BACK out the the road, where we arrived at 6pm (lots of rests) just in time to miss the 6pm bus, which had passed at 5.45 because it was Sunday and not many people travel on Sunday so it was moving particularly quickly. Of course we then had to make calls to try to get a ride home, and when we finally crossed the doorstep, it was 8pm. Iḿ surprised I got in dinner and a bath before passing out. And Iḿ a jogger, but my thighs and feet did not let me forget THAT adventure for quite a few days!
Enjoy the photos of my tropical paradise. Chau!