So where was I for over the past 2 months and what have I been doing? Maybe I'll get to that. First, I'd like to invite you on a little virtual tour of my town. I hope that through my words, since pictures are tough to load with the connection here, you all can imagine the place that I currently call home as if you were actually here experiencing what I experience each day... It is much the same as any other place on Earth...Though now I'd like to explain why it is a special place, disregarding any particular judgment of good or bad things, to yhuenses and why it has grown to be a special place to me in such short time.
Yhú is a small city (they do consider it a city here although to me it's a very small town) that is located almost directly north 50 kilometers from the city of Caaguazú which lies on the main route 7. Between Yhú and Caaguazú, there is no established town along the route, and the sides of the road are bare for the most of the trip giving a glimpse of a pretty beautiful, rolling countryside used for cattle grazing and crops. The city can be reached from Caaguazú by a dirt route that becomes impossible to use when there is heavy rain. A few buses come from and leave to Caaguazú each day. There is also another route that arrives to the city coming from the west that is more reliable because it is made of cobblestone. The downside is that one's entire body experiences a tremor for several hours once the route becomes cobblestone and there is only one bus each day that uses this access route. One might say that it couldn't it be such a happening place due to its isolation and infrequent bus service; however, before 1945 it was the capital of its state. The town is of Spanish origin having been founded in 1904 by Daniel Garcia. The land of the town, like much of its surrounding area and throughout the entire country, is of a reddish and sandy soil. There are many parts, including in the streets, where I could mistake myself for being at the beach!
Upon arriving at the town from the south, one will see a stream which is the fluvial body for which the town is named. Still haven't gotten to the bottom of why exactly it is called 'black water." I'm beginning to believe that no one is quite sure. In the town, there are a few parts of streets that are cobblestone although the vast majority of streets are of the sandy soil that I mentioned earlier that are not too easy to walk on but I'm sure are quite nice if one were to fall off his or her motorcycle, since the motorcycle is the most economical, and therefore prevalent, mode of transportation in the town. There are few vehicles in proportion to the amount of people in the town. You can also just get around by walking, which many other people, including myself, take full advantage of. It is surely a great way to lose some weight since it is quite hot here most days here including throughout the winter months.
In the town, there are several public and educational institutions including a quaint town-hall or mayor's office, a school supervision, a health center, two elementary schools, one high school, a small locale where a few university courses are offered, a few soccer fields, a designated area for sports and recreational events, and a church. A plaza is located in the middle of town and from there it branches out giving to several small residential neighborhoods throughout the rest of town. There is a typical style of home here that has either a tin or a Spanish style roof with either material or wooden structure, most being of the latter style of roof. Most, but not all, of the homes have electricity and running water. I'm told that the families that do not have either share with others that do or access water from public spouts. Many homes have modern style bathrooms though this once again is a luxury that not all have.
From the south of the town, the land rises up a bit and flattens out once again giving to a vast countryside. Once reaching the north-side of town, which is really only 15 or so blocks from the south-side of town, two cell phone towers overlook the town giving its residence decent cell service but absolutely miserable internet connection since the towers are not made for such use. I guess it's not such a big deal since most do not have computers and the few that do aren't assured to have an internet air card. In terms of water and electricity services, the town is in decent shape. There are times, though infrequent, when the water runs low or out, and usually the electricity only goes out when it rains, is very stormy, or an unforeseen problem occurs such as the burning out of transformers which is what happened about a month ago.
The town is quite tranquil, except for those more rare than frequent occasions during which there are parties or some type of event near the plaza or a rodeo by the straight-lined, multiple lane horse track. I currently live on the main road in town a block away from the plaza. This means that during such occasions I can hear the "hustle and bustle" in and around the plaza, and during any particular day or night, I have the pleasure of hearing all the load motorcycles that whiz past my room. I will be moving within a month or so. Yes, I know I'm just throwing that little snippet of information now! I will be moving to a little home with a yard a little over a block away from the plaza as well, but I little more away from the noise of the plaza, a detail for which I'm very glad since I would like to live with less motorcycle noise and general movement outside my door. I promise i will try to take pictures soon of the house, though I will be doing some work on it so maybe I can do a before and after, though it probably won't look strikingly different.
So I guess I'll add a little bit of what I've actually been doing these past 2 months that for me have flown by pretty fast. Much of my work is with the youth group here, involving the planning of meetings, educational activities and community events, permission writing and presentation, and getting to know the youth and their interests. I'm also working on projects with information technology since there is a lack of basic knowledge of computer use. I have gotten to know and work with several leaders and organizations in town to facilitate many of my activities, and I visit the schools, public institutions, and local businesses to initiate relationships with proactive people in the community. Events that stick out in the pat 2 months are an environmental education festival, public movie projection in cultural house, breaking ground for group garden, trip to nearby town with youth group, aiding in English classes here, and giving educational talks on leadership, self-esteem and communication.
I keep myself busy. Some days are slower than others. Realistically, life is just slower here in general and much more simple. Everyone knows it in town. People drink terere (a cold tea drink) all day, they like to joke a lot, they like to play or watch soccer, they like to be in the shade at all times on hot days, they're proud of their both indigenous and Spanish tongue and their catholic values, and nobody leaves their house when it rains and life remains at a complete stand-still until the weather improves. That is by no means a comprehensive profile of how people are here and what people are like here, but it is a list of the few aspects of life here that have happened to come to me at the moment of writing this post.
Hope you all enjoyed my rare post. I apologize for not updating more regularly and will make an effort to put myself to write even if I'm tired and don't feel like it as I feel it serves as both a glimpse for you all into my life here and a way of looking back on my time here.
Until next time and sending my love from Yhú to wherever you may all find yourselves!
