I apologize for the lack of posts, and that they have been boring, with terrible writing. My access to internet is more limited than I had expected. Mostly, my free time is less than expected. I spend all day in training, and by the time I get home it’s dark. We don’t go out much when it’s dark here in Paraguay. I’m not sure as to why, but I’ve theorized there are vampires here. It’s the only logical explanation to such an aversion to sunset.
I love Paraguay but I would like to introduce a recurring blog segment entitled “WTF Paraguay?” First on the list is the genius innovation known as the Electric Showerhead.
Think about those words next to each other. ELECTRIC, and SHOWER. To use the electric shower head, you flip on the power, and then turn on the water. The water completes the electrical current of the filament located inside the shower head. The filament then heats the water that falls onto your naked body. But don’t worry, we take precautions. You must make sure to turn off the electricity and be out of the shower before turning off the water as to prevent electrocution, and the device only explodes or lights on fire every once in a while. Also: NEVER TOUCH THE SHOWER HEAD. After all that, the worst part isn’t even the complete disregard for user safety. The thing doesn’t even work that well! Sometimes the water never gets hot. If it does, it is sure to turn off randomly leaving you freezing with a head full of shampoo. Peace Corps talks about how there will be things you never get used to. This will be one.
Creative plumbing solutions aside, it has been going well. The terrain is beautiful here. I almost think that’s what Oakland would look like if it went untouched: A lush green land scape dotted with Palms, in a non tropical climate. Unfortunately, not quite the same climbing options as Oakland, and no Cato’s. However, crime and poverty might be on a similar scale, and both have thriving gold resale markets.
I am currently with a group of 23 other trainees, that range from a guy who graduated college less than two weeks before arrival, to a woman who just turned 58. I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by such an incredible group of people. My peers are intelligent and motivated. We all get along very well, even after a month of seeing way too much of each other under intense conditions. Please feel free to be cynical and wait to ask me how much I still like these people in another month.
Donna Carmen in her natural habitat. |
I have more to come, but I don’t like gargantuan posts. But stay tuned for San Juan.
Hehe, thanks for the post Taylor. In Europe, they do have an inline water heater that I believe is electrically shielded. These devices, however, work well and don't electrocute the user.
ReplyDeleteFor those reading this post that haven't experienced mate, they should. It's something of an acquired taste, resembling dried grass clippings at first. But the mate drinking is an incredibly social event, especially when sharing a cup with a friend.
Scott
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ReplyDeleteLast comment sounded harsh, so trying again. Scott, So glad you know mate. In Paraguay we do it a little different. We have hot mate, and a cold verson called terrere. Terrere is even a bigger deal than mate. But NEVER EVER, mix watermelon and terrere. You will die.
ReplyDeleteTo those of you who want in on this action make sure you aren´t a person who doesn´t like shairing drinks. There is one cup, and one straw in a mate session. Get used to it.