February 10, 2010: Tia Alala

For all who are wondering about my well-being, I made it to Paraguay safe and sound. I am loving it here so far, it has been so wonderful already. It's hard to believe that only two days ago I was still in Kansas City.

We finally landed in Asunción earlier today after four flights in two days. Very exhausting. I could hardly speak in English, I didn't know how I was going to talk to my host family in Spanish. As the plane was nearing the landing strip in Asunción, it suddenly started going back up, much to everyone's dismay. Turns out there was a “communication error”. I still think it was the pilot's first day and he just biffed it. But we made it; forty-nine volunteers, the largest group ever. I have quickly become friends with many of these people; we're all going through the same thing and we can relate to each other so easily.

Anyway, we were driven to Guarambaré and met the Peace Corps staff and did a bunch of activities despite being on the verge of lapsing into a coma. Over 24 hours without sleep is not fun. Also, if this entry sounds weird and disjointed, it's because I still haven't slept yet. We had a brief interview to place us with a family (vegetarian, do we like kids, animals, large or small family, etc), received our money for the week and some more papers, and went to meet our families that we will be living with for the next 11 weeks. I have never been so nervous in my life.

Since there are so many Rural Health and Sanitation workers, we are split into two groups. I am living in Santo Domingo with the Arrúa-Gómez family. My host father is Don Marcelino, my host mother is Ña María Cristina. I also have a sister Lidia, who is 24. She has a husband (Aldo, I haven't met him yet) and a 2-year old daughter Nataly. Nataly can't say my name so whenever they ask her who her aunt is, she says “Tia Alala!” She talks and talks all the time and is the cutest thing.

My house is gorgeous. I will post pictures of my room and my family later. They had my room all set up when I got here with a bed, a desk, a fan (yay!) and a huge armoir to store all my clothes. Don Marcelino is a farmer and as we walked around Lidia pointed out their 9 cows, 5 dogs and numerous chickens to me. She said they also had 9 pigs but I haven't seen them yet. They also have a cat. And they all have names. The house has electricity and running water. I had a warm shower earlier and it was wonderful. Ña Maria made pizza for dinner. She said it was her first time making it and she really enjoying both making and eating it. See, I'm already having and impact here! :)
That is about all for now and I am very tired. We start intense training tomorrow. I'm nervous, my Spanish is pretty bad. We have language interviews to see just how bad it is. And we get our first round of shots. Good day!

Tres Días Hasta Miami!

So it's probably about time I share my address with everyone since I will be leaving in 3 days. Here goes:

Amanda Firestone, PCT

Cuerpo de Paz

162 Chaco Boreal c/Mcal. López

Asunción 1580, Paraguay

South America

That will be my address in training for the first 11-weeks or so, until I get sworn in on April 30. Then I will be an official Peace Corps Volunteer (that's right, I'm STILL not official). Airmail takes 2-3 weeks but don't let that stop you; keep the letters coming!

Just a recap: I fly out Monday morning from KCI to Miami where I fill out forms, get immunized some more (yay) and meet the rest of the group. Then we all fly to Paraguay through Brazil getting there on Wednesday morning. I'll try to update this thing as much as I can, although I'm not sure what that means yet. Your e-mails and letters are very much desired and appreciated!