Happy New Year! So much has happened since my last post (yes I know I am terrible at updating) that I don’t know where to begin. Therefore, I will just ramble until I don’t feel like typing anymore.
To celebrate Christmas and the New Year I went to Buenos Aires, Argentina. For those of you who aren’t quite sure where that is, think Evita and don’t cry for me Argentina. The city is absolutely gorgeous, tons of Spanish and Italian influence = beautiful buildings and great culture. However, I think…actually I know…my favorite part was by far the food. Hands down, greatest (bbq) in the world. My friend Rebecca keeps laughing at me for using this phrase, and I will admit I don’t know who or where I stole it from but I had the “meat sweats” for 10 straight days. If any of you loyal readers ever get a chance to visit me, or just go to Buenos Aires, I highly recommend two places, Desnivel and La Cabrera. I promise your life will be changed forever. Don’t forget to try the grilled Provolone cheese either, which will surely be coming to the U.S.A sometime in the near future. One last thing and I will stop sounding like a Lonely Planet guide book, the wine the wine the wine. The money we spend in America for a bottle of wine from Mendoza seems so completely outrageous when I can go to Argentina and get the same exact wine for the price of $5 USD or less. The wine is absolutely amazing, but be prepared to drink all day long, because that’s what Argentine’s do. Wine is like our water. Oh yeah, I know I used to complain about 3-4 hour car rides when I would drive to school or back. I am now accustomed to the 18-22 hour bus rides. REALLY FUN, try it some day.
What else is going on? I recently moved into my own house (por fin). The house is an old Bodega, so there are two garage door looking things and it’s just this humongous room. I love it. Right now it is lacking a bathroom, but I just spent my entire paycheck (approx. $250 USD) on the materials to build a modern bathroom. Actually, right now I am waiting for the truck to come and deliver the supplies which includes: 2000 bricks, 300 kilos of cement, obviously a toilet, sink, lots of tubes, and lots of things that I have no idea what they are. Being that this is Paraguay, I had to dig a 3 meter x 3 meter hole to serve as a pozo ciego (what is that in English? A septic tank of some sort). Its quite funny to look at and right now I’m scared that I’m going to come back tipsy to my house one night and fall into it by mistake (its not covered yet). I will try not to do the above. What is else is going on in the house? I'm lacking furniture, but I have to wait on my next paycheck for that, or I am going to try to build some things out of Bamboo since it’s free. I’ll let you know the outcome of that possible disaster. Bamboo, a machete, and I are definitely a recipe for disaster.
Soccer is basically the life here right now. Our local club, 6 de Enero (the 6th of January), is in the playoffs and that is all we ever talk about. Kasike (which means “the chief” in Guarani) tells me that there is no money in Isla Ybate, but when there is soccer, there is money. And wow, he is completely right. 6 de Enero won a playoff game the other day and the party that was thrown after was out of control. People were paying 5 mil for a can of beer at the party which is completely outrageous. No one can understand how plata appears out of nowhere when soccer is going well.
Hmm, in work related news, I’m desperately trying to get involved in the school. The education system here is just so underdeveloped, and not that I’m a teacher, but I could definitely help out a lot. I’ve taken a big interest in environmental education since I’ve arrived here and would like to push it in the school system. I’m also interested in putting together a sex ed/health class. People don’t use condoms here because its “taboo.” Taboo my ass, HIV/AIDS prevention and pregnancy is definitely something that needs to be taken seriously. As I have already seen up close and personal that my former host sister (16 years old) is now 3 months pregnant and had a shotgun marriage to seal the deal. HIV/AIDS is also a peace corps goal so I think it would be a good place to start especially since I think teaching that subject is “too embarrassing” for a Paraguayan. I don’t mind if the students laugh or giggle at the subject, as long as I can break through to some of them. I recently convinced a student here to apply for a scholarship to go to university instead of leaving to Buenos Aires to find work, and believe it or not she got the scholarship and is going to university. Her family isn’t happy, but hopefully they will eventually see the long term benefits of getting a solid education.
I’m trying to think of outrageous things to tell all of you, but the truth is I’m starting to feel so comfortable here that nothing seems outrageous to me. Stan came to visit me, which was awesome. I tried to show him the non-touristy, real Paraguay in the little time that we had, and I think it was successful. However, ask him and maybe he will convince you all to come visit me as well. But, apply for a Visa in advance if you don’t want to be turned away at the border.
Ok a few quick shout outs…
Kayla, your letters are awesome. Sorry I’m a terrible friend and don’t write, but know that I appreciate and enjoy your letters.
Read Hot, Flat, and Crowded by Thomas L. Friedman.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Friday, September 12, 2008
107 glorious days!
Hello Everyone,
Now that I have formally been introduced to my community, I feel that it is time to give you an update about my Peace Corps life. Wednesday, my boss Fernando and his assistant coordinator, Chris came to Isla Ybate to sit down with myself and a bunch of community members to explain my role in the community and the role of the community in my life. It was a nice presentation which everyone seemed to enjoy; maybe because I bought everyone food. Anyway, now I am free to start my ´work,´which means surfing through the community to find out what their needs are and exactly what they want from me. So far the consensus seems to be to teach english and to find a way to get the municipality to pave our dirt road. When it rains the road becomes so bad that the entire village shuts down because its impossible to get in or out. Thus, at some point next week I am going to go to Carapegua (our municipality) and find the necessary documents needed to request pavement. I´m also going into Asuncion this weekend to find a book on how to teach english. Lets be honest, I don´t speak proper english and I definetely don´t know how to teach this bizare language correctly.
So, I´m sure you are all wondering, what does Eric do out in the middle of nowhere? I´ve been trying to think of ways that I can make my life sound interesting like you all want it to be. But, everything sounds so ridicolous so I will just tell it as it is. I wake up, bullshit with my family, drink Mate or Cafe and then lounge around and read for a while. I´ve done more reading in the past month than I believe I did throughout all of college. For those of you that have had classes with me, I´m sure you know that this is quite feasible. I then chase away dogs that are trying to rape our female dogs that are in heat and throw rocks at them (yes this sounds cruel, but dogs are not pets here, they are vicious dirty animals). I spend the remainder of the day, teaching the Comité about why Anti-Virus is necessary on a computer and how to properly use it. Porn = Viruses! I drink a lot of Tereré and recently I´ve started to go on bike rides! My bike is way too small and is a p.o.s. I guess I should thank the budget cuts that the Peace Corps has to endure due to the way lack of funding it receives, but thats ok I still have a bike!
As for today, and my real inspiration for writing this post, was my assitance in sending two pigs to piggy heaven. Look, I didn´t kill them, I tried, but I just don´t have it in me. I had the knife in my hand, the pig was squeeling, and I just couldn´t muster up the strength to do it. Instead I handed the knife over the my 81 year old Grandpa who did it with ease. I´m sure killing pigs to Paraguayos is the equivalent for us Norteamericanos going to the local drive-thru to order a delicious Big-Mac. I will put some pictures on this blog, but I want to give a fair disclaimer to anyone who might be reading this, including any member of an organization that thinks killing animals is inhumane. Yes pigs, cows, etc. are raised here to eventually serve the purpose of feeding the population. However, the animals here (what I have seen in the rural areas of Paraguay) are raised steroid free, enjoy plenty of space to gallop, eat, and play in the mud at their leisure, and are treated very ´humanely.´ The killing of these animals is the way of life, if they are not killed, people do not eat. The purpose of posting these pictures is merely to exchange cultural customs and information on the way of life in a country different from our own. Ok, sorry had to give that little disclaimer, there have been problems in the past with certain organizations that I will not name in respect to posting of videos of the killing and pictures, etc. There is so much work that goes into being able to cook meat. It took my host mom (Carmen) and her friend Loki, the whole day to kill, peel off all the skin, cut up the meat etc. Isn´t it a beautiful luxury to be able to go to the local grocery store and pick out the finest cuts of meat in 2 seconds.
Hmm what else is going on here? My garden is at a standstill. I cannot do any more work until we build a fence because the chickens will just eat anything that I plant. I do plan on planting watermelons, melons, strawberries, lettuce and some Banana trees though. I´m going to find the seeds this weekend and investigate finding a cheap alternative to a fence until we can find the money to buy some wire.
The Pictures:
Me, My grandfather, and Adolofo drinking Tereré while Carmen and Loki get to work on the pig.
The stupid dogs, drinking the damn blood of the pig.
Very Lord of the Flies like picture of the head
And a picture of a bunch of us having a barbeque
Also, I gave a little charla (speech) during my Site Presentation, so I figured maybe ya´ll would like to read it. So here it is:
Gracias todas por Venir hoy. Yo aprecio la oportunidad que se me dio para vivir aquí por los próximos dos años. Me siento afortunado por tener esta oportunidad. Estoy emocionado por aprender mucho de Uds. Y espero que nos podamos aprovecharnos de esta situación. Yo sé que había dos voluntarios que vivió en Isla Ybaté ya. Yo he estado diciendo que el otro Enrique ayudó para traer agua corriente a Isla Ybaté. Y Blas ayudó para traer computadoras e internet. Espero que nosotros encontremos un proyecto que les guste comenzar aquí. Si necesitan cualquier tipo de ayuda, por favor no tengan miedo de llamarme. Me gustaría tener la oportunidad para trabajar en la chacra y ayudar Uds. vender. Tengo interés en trabajar en la escuela, construyendo una huerta, trabajando con abejas, y jugando futbol y muchísimo otras cosas. Tengo deseo de conocer la gente y compartir nuestras costumbres y culturas.
Jajotopata
Eric
Now that I have formally been introduced to my community, I feel that it is time to give you an update about my Peace Corps life. Wednesday, my boss Fernando and his assistant coordinator, Chris came to Isla Ybate to sit down with myself and a bunch of community members to explain my role in the community and the role of the community in my life. It was a nice presentation which everyone seemed to enjoy; maybe because I bought everyone food. Anyway, now I am free to start my ´work,´which means surfing through the community to find out what their needs are and exactly what they want from me. So far the consensus seems to be to teach english and to find a way to get the municipality to pave our dirt road. When it rains the road becomes so bad that the entire village shuts down because its impossible to get in or out. Thus, at some point next week I am going to go to Carapegua (our municipality) and find the necessary documents needed to request pavement. I´m also going into Asuncion this weekend to find a book on how to teach english. Lets be honest, I don´t speak proper english and I definetely don´t know how to teach this bizare language correctly.
So, I´m sure you are all wondering, what does Eric do out in the middle of nowhere? I´ve been trying to think of ways that I can make my life sound interesting like you all want it to be. But, everything sounds so ridicolous so I will just tell it as it is. I wake up, bullshit with my family, drink Mate or Cafe and then lounge around and read for a while. I´ve done more reading in the past month than I believe I did throughout all of college. For those of you that have had classes with me, I´m sure you know that this is quite feasible. I then chase away dogs that are trying to rape our female dogs that are in heat and throw rocks at them (yes this sounds cruel, but dogs are not pets here, they are vicious dirty animals). I spend the remainder of the day, teaching the Comité about why Anti-Virus is necessary on a computer and how to properly use it. Porn = Viruses! I drink a lot of Tereré and recently I´ve started to go on bike rides! My bike is way too small and is a p.o.s. I guess I should thank the budget cuts that the Peace Corps has to endure due to the way lack of funding it receives, but thats ok I still have a bike!
As for today, and my real inspiration for writing this post, was my assitance in sending two pigs to piggy heaven. Look, I didn´t kill them, I tried, but I just don´t have it in me. I had the knife in my hand, the pig was squeeling, and I just couldn´t muster up the strength to do it. Instead I handed the knife over the my 81 year old Grandpa who did it with ease. I´m sure killing pigs to Paraguayos is the equivalent for us Norteamericanos going to the local drive-thru to order a delicious Big-Mac. I will put some pictures on this blog, but I want to give a fair disclaimer to anyone who might be reading this, including any member of an organization that thinks killing animals is inhumane. Yes pigs, cows, etc. are raised here to eventually serve the purpose of feeding the population. However, the animals here (what I have seen in the rural areas of Paraguay) are raised steroid free, enjoy plenty of space to gallop, eat, and play in the mud at their leisure, and are treated very ´humanely.´ The killing of these animals is the way of life, if they are not killed, people do not eat. The purpose of posting these pictures is merely to exchange cultural customs and information on the way of life in a country different from our own. Ok, sorry had to give that little disclaimer, there have been problems in the past with certain organizations that I will not name in respect to posting of videos of the killing and pictures, etc. There is so much work that goes into being able to cook meat. It took my host mom (Carmen) and her friend Loki, the whole day to kill, peel off all the skin, cut up the meat etc. Isn´t it a beautiful luxury to be able to go to the local grocery store and pick out the finest cuts of meat in 2 seconds.
Hmm what else is going on here? My garden is at a standstill. I cannot do any more work until we build a fence because the chickens will just eat anything that I plant. I do plan on planting watermelons, melons, strawberries, lettuce and some Banana trees though. I´m going to find the seeds this weekend and investigate finding a cheap alternative to a fence until we can find the money to buy some wire.
The Pictures:
Me, My grandfather, and Adolofo drinking Tereré while Carmen and Loki get to work on the pig.
The stupid dogs, drinking the damn blood of the pig.
Very Lord of the Flies like picture of the head
And a picture of a bunch of us having a barbeque
Also, I gave a little charla (speech) during my Site Presentation, so I figured maybe ya´ll would like to read it. So here it is:
Gracias todas por Venir hoy. Yo aprecio la oportunidad que se me dio para vivir aquí por los próximos dos años. Me siento afortunado por tener esta oportunidad. Estoy emocionado por aprender mucho de Uds. Y espero que nos podamos aprovecharnos de esta situación. Yo sé que había dos voluntarios que vivió en Isla Ybaté ya. Yo he estado diciendo que el otro Enrique ayudó para traer agua corriente a Isla Ybaté. Y Blas ayudó para traer computadoras e internet. Espero que nosotros encontremos un proyecto que les guste comenzar aquí. Si necesitan cualquier tipo de ayuda, por favor no tengan miedo de llamarme. Me gustaría tener la oportunidad para trabajar en la chacra y ayudar Uds. vender
Jajotopata
Eric
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Friday night in Paraguay, Shabbat!
Que Tal? Its raining here in the campo today, which means absolutely nothing is going on. Students take rain days here, however we barely have snow days in Binghamton! Sin embargo, it just continues to show me how lucky we are to have such an advanced and progressive education system. Of course there are flaws and problems, and not everyone in the states was as lucky as myself and those of you who are reading this post. But with the exception of the wealthy in Paraguay, the educational opportunities that are available in Paraguay are very limited. Anyway, let me tell you about my awesome experience last Friday night before I arrived in site.
So, the volunteer before me, Bradley Lazard got married to a Paraguyan Jew. There are 1000 Jewish people in all of Paraguay, and being that Mateo and I are both Jewish we thought it would be an awesome idea to check out the ´scene´. Bradley gave us the contact information of Judith, Tammy´s mother, and we called her and set up a time to meet. Sure enough Judy met us exactly where she told us she would, and proceeded to take us into the very inconspicious temple. If you passed by this building on the street, you would never know it was a temple. Usually buildings of faith are extremely extravgant with doors that scream CHECK ME OUT, however this temple was surrounded by huge walls and a huge gate. Supposedly, there was an attack on a temple in Argentina some time ago and for security reasons this is how it has to be. Anyways, we went in, and the congregation is very small, and very conservative. Everyone was so friendly, its awesome to know that just because I am Jewish, there are people that are willing to treat me like family wherever I go in the world. The congregation was so happy that we came, and looks forward to having us in the future. We already have future dinner plans for the next time we return. The entire service was in Hebrew, but the sermon was in Spanish, and people would only speak to us in English (yes they all speak English). Mateo and I would try to respond in Spanish because its much better practice for us, but I can understand that they want to practice their english as well, its a battle to the death! The rabbi asked us to go back to his house for Dinner after, but we politely had to decline because we already accepted Judy´s invitation.
Dinner was ridicolous. I don´t know if I´ve ever had a more delicious meal. Let me try to set the scene for you: I´m a Peace Corps Volunteer, living in a 3rd world country, but I´m in one of the nicest homes I´ve ever visited in my life, being served by empleadas, drinking delicious chilean red wine, and have a three course meal. Surrounded, by 20+ Paraguyans, whom are all extremely well educated, speak multiple languages, and are delighted to open up their homes to to poor Americans who are volunteering their lives away for the next two years. Judy also has a 20 year old son, Natan, who studied in Iowa, and is really looking forward to going out with us. The point is, I now have the ability to escape Peace Corps life if need be for a few days. I´m looking forward to this mix of two completely different cultures in the same country. I´m already learning so much about myself, and what I really want in life, maybe this will help me figure it out. But I also look forward to meeting some really awesome people, and spending the next two years of my life learning.
Ok enough of the rambling. until next time.
So, the volunteer before me, Bradley Lazard got married to a Paraguyan Jew. There are 1000 Jewish people in all of Paraguay, and being that Mateo and I are both Jewish we thought it would be an awesome idea to check out the ´scene´. Bradley gave us the contact information of Judith, Tammy´s mother, and we called her and set up a time to meet. Sure enough Judy met us exactly where she told us she would, and proceeded to take us into the very inconspicious temple. If you passed by this building on the street, you would never know it was a temple. Usually buildings of faith are extremely extravgant with doors that scream CHECK ME OUT, however this temple was surrounded by huge walls and a huge gate. Supposedly, there was an attack on a temple in Argentina some time ago and for security reasons this is how it has to be. Anyways, we went in, and the congregation is very small, and very conservative. Everyone was so friendly, its awesome to know that just because I am Jewish, there are people that are willing to treat me like family wherever I go in the world. The congregation was so happy that we came, and looks forward to having us in the future. We already have future dinner plans for the next time we return. The entire service was in Hebrew, but the sermon was in Spanish, and people would only speak to us in English (yes they all speak English). Mateo and I would try to respond in Spanish because its much better practice for us, but I can understand that they want to practice their english as well, its a battle to the death! The rabbi asked us to go back to his house for Dinner after, but we politely had to decline because we already accepted Judy´s invitation.
Dinner was ridicolous. I don´t know if I´ve ever had a more delicious meal. Let me try to set the scene for you: I´m a Peace Corps Volunteer, living in a 3rd world country, but I´m in one of the nicest homes I´ve ever visited in my life, being served by empleadas, drinking delicious chilean red wine, and have a three course meal. Surrounded, by 20+ Paraguyans, whom are all extremely well educated, speak multiple languages, and are delighted to open up their homes to to poor Americans who are volunteering their lives away for the next two years. Judy also has a 20 year old son, Natan, who studied in Iowa, and is really looking forward to going out with us. The point is, I now have the ability to escape Peace Corps life if need be for a few days. I´m looking forward to this mix of two completely different cultures in the same country. I´m already learning so much about myself, and what I really want in life, maybe this will help me figure it out. But I also look forward to meeting some really awesome people, and spending the next two years of my life learning.
Ok enough of the rambling. until next time.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
The Time is Here
So...I ¨Swear In¨ tomorrow. I don´t know exactly how to describe this feeling. Its excitement, combined with scared-shitless-ness, and dreams of the crazy adventure ahead of me. I´m not surprised that I´m really sad to be leaving my host family. We have become so close over the past two months, and it seems so inhumane to leave them. And for Cuerpo de Paz to take me away from them. However, we all knew that this was a temporary stay. However, I have promised to visit them once a month for Asado (barbeque) on Sunday, and I plan on holding true to that promise. I even gave them the ¨te juro¨line which means ¨I swear .¨ My bags are packed, I´m ready to go, I´m standing here outside your door, I hate to wake you up to say goodbye. Ok just kidding on that one. But it was really emotional packing my bags last night as my family watched me. My mother even started pulling things out of my bag which I though was really funny. Victorianna made Yamilia sit on my lap this morning as we were drinking Mate and told her that I dont have much time here. She said this in Guarani, and obviously that I didn´t understand, but I´m trying to be letrado, and it worked. Its interesting to understand what people are saying about you when they don´t think you understand. True feelings really show. Anyway, I realize that I´m mumbling. Here is the new information that I wanted to give you all.
New Address until I find out if I can recieve mail in my site...
Eric Murphy, PCV
Cuerpo de Paz
162 Chaco Boreal c/Mcal. Lopez
Asuncion 1580, Paraguay, South America
Also I would like to leave you all with a little picture of my new home
Friday, July 25, 2008
FUTURE SITE
Ok. Listen up. For the next two years I will be living in Isla Ybate, Carepegua, Paraguari. I am following up a super guapo volunteer, Bradley Lazard, whom is Jewish, what a conicidence. Also he got married to a Paraguyan, but that wont be me. I have to be at the Peace Corps office tomorrow at 7 30 am to meet my contacts and travel to my future home for a week. Im scared shitless, but at the same time extremely excited. Its scary to know that this is what I signed up for, but I know I can do it. Anyway, Im not much of a blogger right now, but i will be getting better. Check out Paulette´s blog shes a writer and probably has good information. Also, Katie Rach I got a card from you, thank you it was awesome.
P.S. I love and miss you jasmine
P.S. I love and miss you jasmine
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Bananas and a Dead Chicken
Bananas and a dead Chicken
Whats up all. First of all, Paulette is a much better blogger than I, so check her blog out at this address: http://peacecorpsparaguay.blogspot.com
There is a video of me killing a chicken, which I have to say I'm not that proud of. Please be aware that I ripped off the head by mistake, I was not supposed too.
Anyways, Paraguay is great. Language is progressing, and I have decided that I am too "chuchi" for the hardcore living in the campo. We didn't have agua corriente, or bathrooms for the week. I almost mastered the art of using a latrine until I fell over in my own fecal matter (just kidding). However, Mateo was pretty close. Kyle (the volunteer that we visited) is absolutely awesome, and a great inspiration. His Spanish and Guarani are near fluent and he basically is a Paraguyan. Its hard to believe that this will be me in two years.
Please check Paulette's blog, its got some great pictures that I took in Tembiapora. We had to use a balsa to cross the lake and the view was absolutely spectacular. Yes I did bathe in the lake and it was gorgeous. Also got to make a fire and I macheted the shit out of the wood to do it.
I miss you all.
Eric
Whats up all. First of all, Paulette is a much better blogger than I, so check her blog out at this address: http://peacecorpsparaguay.blogspot.com
There is a video of me killing a chicken, which I have to say I'm not that proud of. Please be aware that I ripped off the head by mistake, I was not supposed too.
Anyways, Paraguay is great. Language is progressing, and I have decided that I am too "chuchi" for the hardcore living in the campo. We didn't have agua corriente, or bathrooms for the week. I almost mastered the art of using a latrine until I fell over in my own fecal matter (just kidding). However, Mateo was pretty close. Kyle (the volunteer that we visited) is absolutely awesome, and a great inspiration. His Spanish and Guarani are near fluent and he basically is a Paraguyan. Its hard to believe that this will be me in two years.
Please check Paulette's blog, its got some great pictures that I took in Tembiapora. We had to use a balsa to cross the lake and the view was absolutely spectacular. Yes I did bathe in the lake and it was gorgeous. Also got to make a fire and I macheted the shit out of the wood to do it.
I miss you all.
Eric
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Peace Corps Shockers!
Yo wassup my people. Just wanted to drop a quick hello. I´m doing really well. Next week I´m going to visit Kyle´s site in some place that I can´t remember how to spell the name and I don´t want to butcher it. Anyway, we are going to harvest some bananas and put them on a drunk and work with the cooperative. Give some charlas to a youth group and the co'op, should be an awesome time. Anyways, the big news is that I now swear in as a volunteer on August 6th instead of the 14th. Major budget cuts has caused Peace Corps to do some downsizing to our training. I´m excited about it though because training is too structured for me, I want to get into site! I find out my site on the 25th of July. The only thing I know right now is that I am going to be a follow up volunteer and I requested agua corriente! Yes I´m a bitch. Anyway i gotta give the computer up so Paulette can make some phone calls. I Love you all, please write me some letters! Kayla if you are reading this I got your letter and will be mailing you one shortly! PAZ!
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