Blog 1: Paraguay

Mba’eichapa? (Ba-ey-sha-pa) How are you?

What’s up followers! I’m here safe and sound in the outskirts of Asuncion, Paraguay. We landed safely Friday morning in the capital city and took an hour bus ride to our training site in Guarambare. This is the place where 45 Peace Corps Trainees (not volunteers yet!) and I meet to learn about the specific jobs we will have for the next two years. There are two groups here; Agriculture and Environment. Within these two sectors, we are split in half again into color groups. There are nine of us total in the Blue Ag group, also known as “The Winners.” Each group lives in a smaller community outside of Guarambare at a host family’s house. The Blue Ag lives in a small town called Las Piedras, about 8km from the training site. Alternating days are spent between Guarambare and host-town education centers. In Guarambare, all the Ag trainees will meet to discuss current issues, technical training, and whatever else may occur. In Las Piedras, the nine of us will take language and cultural classes. My Blue Ag group is split into even smaller classes for language training. This morning we had an interview in Spanish to determine our placement within language class. Those who are proficient in Spanish are placed into the Guarani section. Guarani is the second official language of Paraguay, and is indigenous to the country. Guarani is nothing at all like Spanish. Luckily, I placed into the Guarani section, which means I will begin to learn a new language Tuesday! My host family has already been teaching me bits of Guarani, and it is quite tough. I told them today about my troubles pronouncing some of the letters and words. They told me that learning Guarani is difficult, but not impossible! Keep your hopes up for me being able to learn the language. I am super eager to learn and my host family is great with sharing as much knowledge as they possibly can before my brain goes into overload.

Host family: We had interviews with a Peace Corps staff member about living conditions in Las Piedras. I wasn’t asked anything in particular except: “Do you like to walk?” Haha! After we arrived in Las Piedras, I was introduced to my host family. There are only two members, Mr. Miguel and Mrs. Tomasa. They are in their late 50’s and do not speak a word of English. Miguel is a lettuce farmer and Tomasa keeps the house and cooks the food. I was a bit nervous at first moving in, but the transition has been super easy after getting a good night’s sleep and having good prospects about my language class. In addition, the nieces and nephew live next door and are over at my house all the time. The kids are teenagers and love to chat. This has been a major help with the transition of speaking solely Spanish. I have my own room and bathroom in my house. My room is quite large and has a bed, a few armchairs, a desk, a dresser, a ceiling fan and a few end tables. I will be sure to post some pictures when I get the chance. The walls are oddly decorated with hats (witch, Dr. Seuss, bonnet, etc.), a Santa Claus figurine, and a painting of horses! I think it adds a lot of character to the room. It’s way better than nothing at all, right!? Most activity is performed outside because of the climate. We have two dogs, a cow, a lot of chickens, and a volleyball net. All the random townboys stop by to play when they have free time.

Tomorrow is Miguel’s birthday. We are having a big party and have invited all his family to attend. In addition, Tomasa told me that I am allowed to invite the rest of my Blue Ag group as well. Looking forward to what tomorrow will bring! Right now the temperature hangs in the lower to mid 60’s at night and in the upper 70’s to mid 80’s during the day. This afternoon it got pretty humid and we started sweating just walking around the town. At 5:30 this morning it poured for about five minutes and stopped. We have a metal roof, so a downpour can pretty much wake anyone up.

I’ll say by far the internet access is going to be intermittent at best. And to be honest, I am quite fine with that. We have internet at Guarambare but only lets 15 people or so on at a given time. So we need to create a system where people can get on without the server crashing. That will come in time. Feel free to send me a message via electronico but please expect a delayed return. Also, here is my snail mail address. I would love it if you send me letters! I promise to write back. Mail takes 2-3 weeks. Please no packages right now. It is too slow and costly and often gets held in customs with an import fee.

Orry Pratt, PCT

Cuerpo de Paz/CECP

162 Chaco Boreal c/Mcal. Lopez

Asuncion 1580, Paraguay (South America)