Month 13: The Month of Bottle Cutting

 Hello!!! Welcome back!! And Happy Halloween :) 

They don't celebrate down here (devil holiday in a Christian country and all that), and everyone who knows me knows that Halloween is one of my favorites days of the year. Definitely feeling a little sad but I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's costumes back home!! Send me lots of pictures please - I'm living vicariously through you all.

October was such a fun month, and we started working on LOTS of fun new projects!!

As the name of this post reveals, this month I did a lot of bottle cutting. Why? Because middle and high school kids love arts and crafts projects. After giving a presentation on the importance of recycling, and talking about all the wonderful products we can make from recycled materials, I led about five (5!!!!) different groups in an activity in which we cut up old empty wine bottles and turned them into water glasses. 

This was not an easy process. Not only does it require someone to get a classroom full of middle schoolers to cooperate, but using a wire to cut a glass bottle isn't exactly the safest thing in the world. Thankfully, we all emerged unscathed, and the result is some beautiful drinking glasses that the kids got to paint and take home!!

On a more personal note, I've been spending a lot of time with community members. Sundays used to be my day to relax, and now I find myself invited to at least 2 family lunches every weekend (not that I'm complaining - I'll never get sick of homemade Paraguayan sopa). One family that holds a special place in my heart is my friend Maria Liz and her family, including her daughter Mariel - who is the same age as my host sister, Susana (12). This woman is probably my best friend in Paraguay apart from my host family, and her parents, sisters, and all the extended family have truly taken me in as one of their own. From playing with her nephew Axel and his toy trucks, to just going for a stroll down the road when the weather is good, I truly do feel like I'm gaining even more members of my amazing Paraguayan family.

Another cool series of events that I've been able to experience is a lot of schools end of year ferias! The closest comparison I can draw to the states is a science fair, but with each grade working together on a project and presentation. They then speak about the work they've done, and why it's important. Some grades spoke about healthy eating, some had art projects from recycled materials, some spoke about literary analysis, and others presented on the continents. I was lucky enough to see Susana present on the continent of Europe (where her father was from), and go to Mariel's school to see her present on the importance of eating healthy. 

Susana presenting on Europe

Me and Mariel!

I've also found a new garden to help out with!! 

Every Tuesday, I get up with the sun and go to a beautiful Huerta (vegetable/fruit garden) nestled on the side of the big hill in my town to help the woman who owns it. We just finished harvesting the last of her strawberries, and soon it will be watermelon season! Ña Nora* is so kind to me, and I tend to always leave my Huerta days with the biggest bag of fresh veggies.

*the terms of respect in Paragauyan culture for your elders are "Doña" for a woman, and "Don" for a man, but for woman it is often shortened to just Ña. Since I tend to keep a professional and respectful distance from any and all men, I'll refer to them as "Don (first name)". For example, when I lived with Mama Clara, I would always refer to my host dad as "Don Pablo"

Another great thing about Susana and Mariel is that they happen to be in the same dance troop! I had the privilege of attending their dance recital and seeing them dance to traditional Paraguayan music - including the ever-impressive dance while stacking wine bottles on their heads - as well as some more modern Latin style dance. They both came in first in their category!!

Unfortunately, I'm ending this month on a bit of a somber note. As you may remember, my house faces the main  only road in my community, and there's no gate or fence separating my yard from the road. My sweet baby boy Loco had gotten in the unfortunate habit of chasing cars and motorcycles past the house, and my landlady was worried that he would hurt himself or something else, so they gave him away.

It is quite a loss to no longer have a furry friend to greet me when I come home (or eat my table scraps that I can't compost), but technically this does free me up to get a new pet.....

Mom and Dad if you're reading this: Rocky needs a sibling. He told me so himself.

And thus concludes a fulfilling and exciting month. The last days of school are during Thanksgiving week, so we're winding down, but I have lots of fun plans for summer break, so check back in next month for more!! 

Ciao for now💜