ChirOleraS

No, I am not dead... I have not dropped off the face of the Earth, I am far from that! Being in Paraguay - the land of the relaxed people, you forget about time (and deadlines). Not that there are any deadlines on my posting but I haVE completly failed at keeping you all updated. So, let's try again?

In these past couple of months I have started school and I am doing great. I have learned to keep up with the teacher (even while dictating) and continue to study and take the tests. All in all I have all 4 and 5's which are the same as A's and B's in the US of A. To my sister and to everyone in fact the "principal" of the school speaks highly of me. She says that she has never seen a student more interested in the schools activities. You see - most students come to Paraguay and mainly just want to party. There are a few that actually go to school, sit there, and maybe take some notes - but they never involve themselves in the school. I am glad that I am different. Not only have I taken an interest in my grades and in the school's talent show and parties, I have also helped organize events for Day of the Children, Day of the Teachers and most recently Mothers Day. Above all though - I participated in El Disfile de Luque 2010.
You are probably wondering what a Chirolera is. Well that brings me back to El Disfile. So - for almost every holiday (this one was for the Independence of Paraguay)there is a parade. Every school from the city (or in this case Republica de Luque) gets together for a giant parade. For each school there are band members and a group of Chiroleras. My school was the only one with porristas as well. Porristas are basically cheerleaders and Chiroleras are behind the band members. We basically wear little short skirts and a "blouse" and have a baton that we throw around. It sounds a little ditsy im sure but if you could only see. Im not sure if there is anything like it back home, but its a beautiful sight to see.
Thousands of people come to watch and everyone comes to support their school - the energy is amazing.
Besides that I have recently been on a trip to the Chaco. The Chaco is a deserted place in Paraguay. Reported to be one of the last untouched places. With no tourists - we were very welcomed. I went with a group of about 125 AFS students and we stayed in a cute little hotel and were able to walk around what seemed like a vacant town. We were able to talk to the Native Indians, although none of us know that much Guarani :)The way that they live there is so simple and untouched by technology it felt like I had stepped back in time. It felt weird at first but by the end of the weekend I almost felt better.. there were no computers, no phones, no music except for the music that comes from you. With a group like AFS you know we made a racket but we had fun. We played outside and make group activities something that I haven't done since Elementary / Middle School.
Now - we are all getting ready to go home. To us, home is now Paraguay. It is strange to think that I once lived in a different place. Living on your own in a different country really changes things. I mean sure - I'm not really alone alone. I have my Paraguayan family, my friends and everyone in AFS, but its not quite the same. As well in Paraguay, teenagers are given more freedom. It is not at all odd to go out at night, whatever day of the week, or to walk around the downtown area all day with friends and with a simple text message of phone call you can change plans and go on a different adventure. People here are so laid back about things that its so nice to be around them.
At first this was hard. I like plans and routines. Change isn't really my thing. Not sure how I moved to Paraguay, but I did! Being here has made me more laid back as well. You learn more about what are the important things in life.
One of my newest routines has been going to Church. I have always been off and on about religion. When i was younger I would go to church and Sunday School but I never really understood. As I have gotten older it seemed to be more and more fake. At home it feels as if the Church was more about rumors and not so much about the story of the Bible. No, I am not crazy religious, but I have been learning about the true story. Actually reading from the Bible. In school we say the daily prayer of Our Father and for some reason it actually feels true. It doesn't fell like i'm just saying it to say it, but i'm saying it to mean it.
I cannot wait to be with you all and share my experience as a whole, but until then please go check out my facebook! There are loads of photos of everything I have talked about in my previous posts and well as this one (El Disfile).
Peace & Love
vivi