Holy Week in Paraguay, and most of Latin America, is the most important holiday of the year. School and businesses are closed Wednesday-Sunday and it is a time to spend with family and friends. Each day Elvio and I went out to his house and were met by a mob of various family members that I had trouble keeping track of. On Wednesday we baked chipa to eat on Good Friday in place on meat. On Thursday we had a huge feast of chicken, pig, cow and goose in preparation for fasting on Friday. Sunday, of course, was more feasting.
Most of the talk centered around mine and Elvio's upcoming travel to the US. We were talking about the plane ride and the topic of security came up. I told them about how after 9/11 security measures increased and you can't take things like pocketknives or nail clipper on the plane with you, you have to put it in checked baggage. Someone then said, "Why would anyone want to attack the US? Americans are good people."
This isn't the first time someone has shared this sentiment. I'm not sure why Paraguayans love Americans and the US so much but I think Peace Corps can take some credit for it. As volunteers we have 3 main goals:
1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. To help promote a better understanding of the American people on the part of the peoples served.
3. To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
The first goal encompasses all the work I did as a Health Volunteer. Lessons in the school, building brick ovens, cooking healthy recipes with neighbors, exercise groups, etc. The other two goals are everything else I do while I'm here. Sharing about my life in the US and about our culture. Participating in events here are sharing them with people back home. These two goals are extremely important. There aren't a lot of countries in the world that have such fond feelings towards Americans and many Americans are pretty naive when it comes to other cultures but Peace Corps does its part to change that.
On that note I hope you've enjoyed reading my blog over the past 2 years. Two weeks from today I will be going to Asuncion for my swearing-out ceremony and I will complete my service as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I can't believe how fast the time has gone by. Thank you, friends and family, for all your support and love. I couldn't have made it through this journey without you all. You have no idea how much the random letter, Facebook message or phone call means to someone who is thousands of miles from home. I love you all and will see you soon!
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