Friday, April 23, 2010

Woah! He's still alive?

Okay, I know it's been a while since I've updated, but such is life. Anyway I have about 15 to write a quicky summary of the last few weeks.

I finally received my permanant site placement! For the next two years, I will be living in the compañía (tiny village) of Kaitá, about 20 minutes outside of the city of Coronel Oviedo, in the departamento (state) of Caaguazú. This department is located smack in the middle of Paraguay's eastern half, around 3 hours from Asunción, and right on Ruta 2/7, which connects Asunción with Paraguay's second biggest city, the infamous Ciudad del Este. So even though my site is campo campo, it's well-connected to several large urban centers.

I have approximately 7,442 ideas for possible projects to do in the school and in the community, so going back to training for the remaining few weeks is tough. But I'll just suck it up and stick with it, because there may be times in the future when I will miss it... maybe.

Today is COS (Close of Service) for G-24. I have a few friends in that training group, so it was sad to see them go so soon. In the out-bound Volunteers I saw a mix of excitement to be home, disbelief that they were leaving, and a kind of hesitant nostalgia to leave. Yesterday I also met a former Volunteer from many years ago who had come back to visit, and she was having a great time! Like three PC generations terere-ing around the same disintegrating table.

My training group, G-32, will be swearing in as full Peace Corps Volunteers one week from today. I will be in my site - confused, slightly lost, and rearing to go - by May 4th. It is an exciting, confusing, and hopeful time for all of us!