Waking Up From Reality - Back Home

"We have left all the rest behind, one after another.  It seems almost like a dream that has slowly faded."

"Not to me," said Frodo.  "To me it feels more like falling asleep again."

I was handed that quote by a fellow volunteer. Who'd have thought a Hobbit could so perfectly capture the strangeness of leaving Paraguay. Each day Paraguay seems further away. It is floating back into the mists of the unknown. My once daily life now seems exotic and strange again. What was the dream, and what the reality?

Currently I sit on a comfortable couch, in a perfectly climate controlled room, staring out to a manicured lawn and pool. I've comfortably slipped back into my old life, my old reality. But how can this be real? How can a world with so many options and possibilities be anything but a dream. 

I can't possibly sum up these two years. What it meant, and what I did. I don't have any clear insights to the state of the world. I can't answer the question, "What is Development?" (But with some friends, a couple bottles of wine and a white board, I can try.) I can't really tell you anything more than when I started. I think I can tell you less. Certainty, right and wrong, and singular answers have all gone out the window. Maybe that's Paraguay's final gift and final challenge. I blamed Paraguay for all my confusion and struggle for the past two years, but maybe it wasn't Paraguay. The world is complicated and confusing. It just took Paraguay to show me that. 

I now simply look forward to the next great adventure, drifting from one dream to the next. 

Just Dance.

So all things must come to an end, and so ends my time in Peace Corps, and Paraguay. I leave for the US tomorrow. Words right now seem insufficient to capture the past two years. I think it might be best expressed through dance.

Enjoy.



G 36 Close of Service Soul Train from Julia Pretzlaff on Vimeo.

You Know You're a Peace Corps Paraguay Volunteer When...

As the title would suggest.

You know you're a PCV Paraguay when:

You have a preference as to what soda you would like mixed with your wine.

You have at least three glasses that were formerly tomato sauce jars.

White socks are a luxury.

After two years it's still hard

I generally try to write positively about my time here in Paraguay. I have never wanted to sugar coat, nor hide tough realities (God knows the food post ruffled some feathers), but I certainly have posted less in tough times than in good. This is partly because Peace Corps doesn't want us writing negatively about the countries that so graciously host us, and partly because I assume you don't want to read the musings of a depressed, boxed-wine-filled twenty-something, but mostly because it hasn't been all bad. This blog is filled with the incredible experiences I've had that I shared with remarkable people. While I will always think fondly of Paraguay, here's the reality: Peace Corps is hard, and it's not hard for any of the reasons people tell you. 

The Best Day of My Service!: Dangerous words

It seems to be a trend that at some point during one's service a loud proclamation is made:

"This is the Best Day of my service!" 

Sometimes that's followed up with a "so far" in general acknowledgment that the best day can't be decided upon 3 weeks into service. But more often it's followed with an epic decline back to the mundane that makes up most of being a Volunteer. 

These "Best Days" are usually when major projects finally come to pass. You feel accomplished. You take pictures. THIS is why you came here. But inevitably next week you are once again wondering what the hell you're doing, as you chase contacts to set stuff up and animals out of your yard. But that's ok, it's the way it goes. 

So there are a lot of good days I can think of in the past two years, but I'm gonna say yesterday was my best day. And I'm declaring it thus, because of it's mundane nature with a few seemingly small, but in reality, huge wins. There are no pictures. It wasn't even that exciting, but damn, it felt good. 

Jovenes Empresarios del Paraguay: I'll miss you

Hello all,

My sincerest apologies for not posting sooner. I have no good reason. My best excuse is exhaustion. After one year of hard work, planning, and two major events, my involvement in the much talked about Jovenes Empresarios del Paraguay has come to a close, in order to make way for the next generation of Volunteers to take over and take it to the next level.

Future Entrepreneurs of Paraguay

Empower The Next Generation of Paraguayan Entrepreneurs

Hello Blogosphere! I have an important Project and I need your help!

Now owns his own photography and design business. 

For the past year I have worked as the project manager of a youth business development initiative called, Jovenes Empresarios del Paraguay (JEP), or Young Entrepreneurs of Paraguay. And we need some funds to make our work happen.

In three weeks time we will be launching another cycle of this initiative with a three day workshop in the capital with youth invited to participate from all over the country, called The Apprentice Challenge. As the name suggests this camp is modeled after the TV show the Apprentice, but without the Donald sending kids home in tears. Teams will compete in dynamic challenges that are not only fun, but teach basic business skills, team building and leadership.

Streamlining wool production.
The major industry in his town. 

We have developed this program with a local networking organization that is looking to give back and start developing future members, called the Association of Young Entrepreneurs of Paraguay (AJE). (Even our names are similar! It was an obvious partner.)

AJE and us are working very hard to make this camp a reality but we need your help. So I ask that you may contribute a small amount to this cause http://www.indiegogo.com/JEP  Eighty dollars funds the full cost of one participant.

Last year she received $1000 to start her lettuce farm, and is looking forward to a strong harvest. 

I have written about this project in the past, telling of how we were able to give $1000 to a young woman to start her lettuce farm. I am glad to report, she is still operational and hopes for a successful first harvest.

Building Paraguay
Opening a brick factory for affordable construction

If you are unable to give monetarily, then please share this campaign with your network of family, friends, colleagues and anyone who may be interested in supporting this cause.

I want to thank you all so much for your support.

No one wants vacation to end.

I have been in a sour mood the past few days. Exhausted from two weeks of climbing, traveling, and a slew of security issues, I had little time to rest, as I found myself back at work on January 2nd, running around Asuncion for the youth business camp I am planning, and just couldn't snap myself out of a bout of pissiness. Those who know me, are familiar with this state. When I am tired, or hungry, or lost I generaly take it out on everyone and everything. I may not say it direstly, but everyone knows I'm in a foul mood. I know this isn't one of my more endearing qualities, but I haven't seem yet to break the habit. I'll keep trying, but I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.

You wouldn't want to leave that either. 

My bad mood, was very much related to coming back from vacation. No one ever wants to go back to work after doing things you love with people you love. Compound that with the people you love getting on plane back to another continent and it'gets even tougher. So in an effort to get over myself, I figured I'd spend a little time reliving what was a great vacation by sharing with you.

I'm just gonna put up photos. Look at the captions for descriptions.

I hate approaches #1

The Original gangsta rapp. (Zack has infected me with puns)

Maybe Zack's favorite part. 

Beautiful!

Patagonia: It punishes.

"La Patigonia. Se castiga." (The Patagonia. It punishes.) 

These words were uttered by the Bariloche wine vendor across the street from where we are staying. He was referencing the weather, but his ominous words seemed to imply more than just the wind and rain. Or at least that's how Zack and I were feeling after our first couple days in Argentina.

Gone Awesoming: Second try

I know the last time I used this headline, I shortly after killed my computer, but I live on the edge so let's push fate.

A lot has happened in the last week. I put on a moderately successful community event, Julia, my site mate has left town and in exchange I officially have full custody of a dog. (Her name is Mo. She's so cute.)

I am doing my best to get all these updates up, but things are crazy around here, compounded by the fact that I'm leaving for a two week vacation with Zack to Buenos Aires, and Bariloche on Saturday, and leave site for that trip today. Two weeks of Climbing, Argentine wine, good food, and wonderful company. It's gonna be awesome. I really wanna get one more real post up before I leave, but I am doubtful about it happening.  I'll be back after the New Year for sure, and will probably, be on Twitter and FB, but honestly the interwebs are gonna be the farthest thing from my mind.

So in case I don't get on here one more time, here is my Campo 9 family Christmas card, with Mo and her two Mommies, Julia and me.

Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año.

I was born this way: Lady Gaga comes to Paraguay.

Things I didn't think would happen during Peace Corps:

This.

Paws up bitches. Lady Gaga came to town, and shit got crazy. 

Giving thanks: A Thanksgiving dinner in Paraguay

Last week we all learned where Turkeys come from. (Not the freezer section of a grocery store.) Now it's time to talk about their proper final resting place.

In my belly.

Peace Corps Fitness Challenge: December

We are in full holiday mode. This is a time for not caring what you eat, and enjoying the holidays. However, I know that not everyone wants to abandon all physical activity in exchange for cookies and cocktail parties.

Here in Peace Corps Paraguay, this marks a time for lots of travel. Life kinda shuts down in Paraguay in December and January, so there isn't a lot of work to be done. PCVs take this time to visit friends, and take vacations. We often find ourselves on a bus, or in a different town away from our usual routine. Anytime  away from normal routine makes it challenging to keep up with workouts, and especially when faced with a 6 hour bus ride that day. That being said, it is not impossible to maintain some level of activity, even if it's just ten minutes.

This month's challenge:

Death in the Afternoon: The making of a turkey dinner

Disclaimer: This post involves blood and guts and death. I think this is totally natural and even a little awesome, but I know others might not.  Read at your own risk. 

“About morals, I know only that what is moral is what you feel good after and what is immoral is what you feel bad after.”  - Ernest Hemingway, Death in the Afternoon 

 In America, every fall we come together for a mass genocide. Millions die while we enjoy the crisp autumn air, the changing of the leaves, and take in a football game. We celebrate this time of death, and even cherish it. It is a beloved tradition to be shared with family. We call it Thanksgiving.

Why is it called a slumber party when there is no slumber?

I'm confused. Disoriented. I find myself in a whirling dervish of giggles and excited shrieks. The smell of nail polish is in the air, and hair scrunchies are flying. The scene feels oddly familiar, like that of a distant memory I've tried to block out, but also very very different.

I'm at a slumber party. 

In Paraguay. 

Rock Climbing in Paraguay: a long over due post.

The first thing I did when I found I was going to Paraguay, was google "Rock Climbing in Paraguay." Exactly one reference to one route came up in an online user-maintained climbing directory. I figured that meant there had to be some. As my friend Matt said, "There had to be a rock, somewhere." So a couple pair of undies and maybe a pair of pants got taken out of my backpack to make room for my climbing shoes and harness. It was a wise choice.

They Really Like Me? - The Greatist Ambassador Program

I love the internet. It's power to connect people is remarkable. It really puts me at awe. However here at Sastre Desastre it sometimes feels lonely. I have all the metrics I want to prove that people see my blog, but  it is still hard to realize that people read my blog, and like it. To think these people extend beyond my friends and family is even more unbelievable. But the people at Greatist.com seem to like what I do. They have accepted me to be a Greatist Ambassador.

PEACE CORPS FITNESS CHALLENGE: November

Why did I do this?

After ticking off my big goal of completing a marathon, I could no longer stomach the idea of running everyday. I was mentally exhausted, and I needed help to keep me in the rhythm of regular workouts. So I put on our PC Facebook group the Peace Corps Fitness Challenge, a series of challenges lasting one month that can be use to stay focused. To my surprise it found a good response, and now I want to invite you all to participate

FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK, I SALUTE YOU.

Nursing, Rock, and Roll in Paraguay

Guapo: def. Forget what you thought is meant. It means hard working. Not that you're hot. Weird, I know.
Charla: def. Forget that you thought it meant to chat. It's an instructional seminar. Weird, I know.

There are many different types of volunteers. Some volunteers are really involved with youth, others prefer an older demographic, some like to focus on national initiatives, and some just lock themselves in their house for two years and wait it out. Then there are those super guapo volunteers who give a charla or teach a class like every freaking day.

I am not a charla giving volunteer. While I have taught a variety of classes, I don't often find myself in front of a classroom. It's just not my thing. There are volunteers who jump into a classroom and light it up. They are captivating, and impressive. You can tell that they know what they are doing, while I just shuffle around awkwardly until my allotted time is up. I have good intentions. My results just seem to always fall a little short of inspiring.

Now, forget everything I just said, because I gave an awesome charla yesterday. To be fair, the awesomeness had very little to do with me, but rather a girl in sitting in the back of the room, who made my day.

FRANKEN STORM!!!!: 5 Peace Corps tips for when the power goes out

In Peace Corps we like to call days with power outages, Tuesday.

Living without power ain't so bad. It's the cruel irony of the water going out every time it rains, that really kills. But for all of you in America who are freaking out about Frankenstorm and potentially being without power or roads for a few days here's a few tips from a pro:

1) It's not that bad.
       You complain about going to work all the time. Take the time, enjoy your day off. I highly recommend you don't VPN into your work email. You are conserving the battery life on lap top for more important things.

2) Stock up on candles but be careful, they will set your clothes on fire that are hanging from the same bed post you just placed that candle. (True story.) No candle stick? Just melt a few drops on to the surface you want the candle to stick and then place candle on top of wet wax.

3) If the power goes out and the fridge doesn't work, no worries. Eggs don't need to be refrigerated anyways. Promise.

4) If you can't drive on the roads and are stuck inside your house do your best to not go stir crazy. I like to do chores super inefficiently walking from one room to another. It makes time go faster and I feel like I went somewhere.

5) Do not write snarky blog posts about how living with out power is no big deal. Karma is swift and just, and your power will also go out in the middle of writing tip number four. I can't make this shit up!