Pode Chorar in Cuidad del Este!

Hello,

Today i am writing my blog from wonderful Cuidad del Este, Paraguay instead of the usual Encarnacion! The past week has been very eventful and the funnest I've had. I got a much needed spirtual reboost and felt a little more at home!  Well like i told you guys we went to Asuncion last saturday for a meeting. On the drive there was cool cause i actually was awake this time and got to see that there is a little bit of civilization in the rest of paraguay. We almost hit a heard of cows on the way there! There is a Big youth gathering this weekend and were helping planning it. So we spent the whole day planning and talking. It was pretty eventful! Once again i stayed in Asuncion an extra day and in the total of the three days i was there i ate Burger King and McDonalds a total of 5x. I couldnt get enough because it was the first time in months haha more like 3 weeks. We went running all over Asuncion, and i finally got to go to the Malls and do some shopping for some clothes. All the clothes that i have right now are too big for me so i had to buy some new ones. I also went to the movie teathers and watched two movies since we had nothing better to do. Everytime i go to Asuncion i learn more and more about the culture and the city itself. And slowly i realize that there is civilation here in Paraguay. while i was there i got some of the way people make money. When i went to the Market to buy clothes, the venders attack you as soon as you walk past thier shop! Its actually funny cause they things like "Que buscas" "Informame" which means "what are you looking for" "inform me" Its very funny cause they say it fast and sounds like they have a asian accent. I would laugh everytime they would ask me that. And the kids in the streets will do anything for money. It was so cute/sad/funny because there was on kid about 6 or 7 years old and he was in the middle of a busy intersection near the shopping mall. and every time there was a red light he would run out to the street and start doing kartwheels. But the thing was he couldnt do a kartwheel. I felt so bad for him cause he was trying so hard! I had to give him so money cause ive honestly never seen a kid do kartwheels in the middle of the street for money.

The next day i went back to Encarnacion because i wanted to rest a little bit on my vacation. But i had a really bad stomach virus or something cause i was throwing up and everything the whole day. I didnt eat anything for about three days straight. I was worried because i was suppose to be going to Ciudad Del Este the next day and i didnt want to be sick on my vacation. Thursday night i caught a bus to Ciudad del Este and there is an interesting story about the bus ride there. 

So the road to CDE is curvy and hilly and at night its pretty creepy. So about an hour and half in the trip the bus driver was driving like normal and all of sudden something came out of the woods and ran past the bus. The bus driver slammed on the breaks. Everyone on the bus is wondering what happened. And the next thing were in the middle of this dark road in the bondoocks and this lady on the bus starts screaming hysterically. Saying its the Devil, its the devil (No Lie). I look out the window and there is this thing i have no clue what it is. Its standing up like a human but more crouched and is just staring at the bus. Now i start freaking out and saying a prayer and the bus driver is like its just a deer or something. I never seen a deer stand like that in my life so i dont believe him. So the rest of the trip i couldnt sleep i was pretty freaked out. 

I stayed with the amazing Diaz family in CDE. I met Cecy and her brothers in January and keep in contact.   They are amazing! There so nice and loving and i felt like i was there own son!  Cecy was an amazing tour guide of her city lol and Mrs. Diaz is an amzing cook too! She loves to cook and makes the best orange cake ever! I really appreciate everything! 

If you never heard of Ciudad Del este you need to look it up! I was scared because i heard alot of bad things about it! I imagined people of the streets with guns, and gangs, and drugs everywhere. But once again i was wrong! I think i feel in love with Ciudad del Este! Its beautiful there. There life in the city and Diversity! Something i dont see much of in Encarnacion. I had so much fun there and did so many things! I got to go to Mcdonlads (again) haha i swear im not addicted, went to Itaphu Dam which is this huge water dam and its like the most powerful in the world! Got to go shopping in downtown! 

-------- Now i have to stop and explain about downtown! Ok apparently Paraguay has lower importing taxes and whatnot so downtown is like a huge China Town. There are people selling stuff everywhere! And they  have shopping malls with like 6 stories with nothing but dirt cheap electronics!!! I was so overwhelmed cause i love electronics!! They have computers that would cost about $1500 for only $600! Apple computers that cost $2000 for only $900! I was so shocked! There are people for all over the world there who come to buy electronics cause its dirt cheap! EVerything in dollars there too. Because its use as medium between all the countries and also when you exchange it to Paraguayan currency its alot! I also found some Nori which i love and brought alot of!! -------

Ok back to the story! I also got to go see Aventura in concert! I love Aventura but never got to see them when they were in Atlanta. The concert here a different then the one in the states! First off the concert didnt start till Midnight!! It was at a huge soccer stadium downtown. I got Vip section which was right in front for only $35! I had alot of fun! As the concert was ending it started to pour down. I got soaked and all the equipment was going shooting sparks and everything. Their were even fireworks. We didnt get back to the house till like 4 in morning. Which sucked cause we had to be up by 7:30am. 

Mr. Diaz listens to a talk show on the radio every morning of this Doctor. Some how the doctor on the radio started talking  about the Baha'i Faith and asking all these questions on the radio! So Mr. Diaz called and talked with the doctor for like 2 or 3 hours. He invited him to a BBQ at thier house to talk more. It was amazing. i was impressed because alot of times were going to people talking to them and teaching but this time he came to them. So that why i had to be up so early. 

funny little story #859834895 ...The doctor that came to the house knew a little bit of english so he was talking to me and asking me questions. He then askes me if its true that im related to Dr. Martin Luther King. I was confused cause i was trying to think back if i said that or if i had said something wrong to Mr. Diaz to make him think i was because the day before he was asking me about Obama and Dr.MLK. So me being very nervous and didn't know what to say was like YA!. I said he was my Great-Great Grandfathers Brother's Son. 

Well luckly i got to stay a few more days and i had alot of fun and met alot of new people. I feel in love with the diversity of the city, something i havent seen a whole lot of in Paraguay. Im am seriously think of Pioneering there. I dont know for school or after school. Everyone keeps telling me that everybody who comes Paraguay for service ends up staying! They are also looking for a Pioneer, so if anyone is intrested i highly recommend it!! 

I returned to Encarnacion to leave again for Asuncion for a National Youth Retreat. I didn't really wanna go because i was tired of traveling and wanted to do nothing and i remembered back in January and the Youth Training for Month of Service and i had to hardest time and didnt really know anyone and just didnt want to go. But i am so thankful that i did because i had the time of my life! Since my spanish is better i got to get to know people more and made alot of new friends!

The youth here in Paraguay are amazing!! The Baha'i Community here is practically ran by he youth. There was about 65 people who came and people from Argentina and Bolivia also came. It was amazing! I cant even explain how much fun i had. Me and Nidia were also i charge of a lesson to do. I was nervous but it worked out real well and lasted about 3 hours!

All in All i had an amazing time and Finally feel like i'm where i'm suppose to be!

I leave you with a song im obsessed with.

Pode Chorar - Aviões do Forró

Jai Ho

So when i went to Asuncion this weekend (which i will tell all about later) I got a 

chance to go to the Movies and watched SlumDog Millionaires. I am officially obsessed

It is a great movie and has made it to my top 5 list!

Yo Quisiera Ser tu llanto

Hmmmmm.......

I never really know how to start these blogs. I always say hey or hi, nothing interesting! Any suggestions on how i can have a interesting greeting? Well i am doing the entry early because tomorrow im going to Asuncion.. again! I swear we go there every other week! I dont know why we dont just live there. I'm kidding, i dont like Asuncion too much, well compared to Encarnacion. Asuncion is the capital and its like any other big city, CRAZY! I remember last time we were there, we were on the bus and i swear i never feared more for my life! The drivers are crazy! 

It's finally here!! My vacation!! I get the whole week off next week! I get to sleep in, explore, travel, play soccer/volleyball, and have some time to myself. I need time to think about what im going to do with my life when i leave here. I know im going to school but idk where. I wanna go to New york but idk if i wanna leave atlanta. Its hard! Im going to miss my activities but i do need a break! Im really excited though because i get to go to Cuidad del Este next week and visit some Baha'i friends for a few days! I can't wait for that. Cuidad del Este from what i hear is the place to go shopping! They have all the bootlegs and stuff there, so i am really excited for that too.

Service, the way i had imagined it, was this thing that shined in the light and this constant feeling of happiness and just all rainbows and sunshines. Well it has been far from that for me. I find myself struggling with myself a lot. To be a better person and to practice what i preach to others. Im trying to be positive and detach myself from myself (if that makes any sense) and not let my opinions or how i feel get in the way of the reason why i'm here. Me and Martin are deaf. acting more like brothers. Its funny because when i first met him, we were really cool. We got along great and we had no problems. That lasted for a week and then we got to know each other and or habits and everything, and there was period where we never talked. It was pretty bad. Vero and Amin even noticed and talk to us and it got better from there. We share the same frustrations and we both realize were in this together, for a whole year. were both on a spiritual journey just trying to find out who we are. We act jsut like brothers cause we argue, have disagreements, and flat out just want to kill each other at times, but for some odd reason i see it as a sign of progress.

This week went really well. We had a Pre-youth group in the high school on tuesday and friday and once again were making great progress. Im starting to like the 9th graders alot more because they are a little easier to work with. We did a debate in that classs about unity and if the world is truly unified or not. we made it up right on the spot and the youth did really good because in the end i think they all felt a little inspired and realize they have the power to make a change. It was really sad because we had some free time and we asked if they could change one thing in the world what would it be. One girl said that she would make sure all hospital had the right equipment and materials because her brother died because the hospital here only had one of something ( I didnt understand what she said it was) and they couldn't find it. I have a very soft heart so that was rough for me to hear. Tuesday was also the 500 anniversary of the foundation of Encarnacion! I got to see some traditional Paraguayan dances and hear the history of Encarnacion. It was pretty cool! The funny thing is there nothing here thats that old, nothing at all. Idk why but i find that pretty odd.

I told you guys how everyone here thinks im Brazilian. well now its getting worst and no matter where i go, people harass me. Not in a bad way of course (most of the time). Im always getting stopped in the streets and (no lie) whenever i go on the bus or somewhere with alot of people, people stare at me. Its the most awkward feeling in the world! Little kids are worst cause they'll stare at me in the face on the bus for a good 10 minutes before blinking. I feel like a celebrity. :-)

Hasta la Proxima!

Revelation!

Hello from Encarnacion, Paraguay..

Im pretty sure i do this blog to remember this cause im pretty sure not to many people read it but its cool cause its something i will be able to look back on. I've started writing a book about my year of service. I don't know what's going to be in it but i'm really excited about doing it and see what comes of it. 

So at last the fast is over and i must say it was a experience of a lifetime! It was very challenging but i felt it more, i felt more connected to the fast and i feel that now i understand the true meaning of why we fast! I dont know the feeling of when you do something just because thats what you were told you were suppose to do and then you discover the reason why for yourself, its an amazing feeling.

Since i was fasting i wanted to do as little as possible. So i found myself in my room most of the time going crazy! So i've had alot of time to think about things and i am convinced that god wants me to be a EXPERT at Jr. Youth groups. The jyg have been one of the hardest things to do here! And its just a coincidence that i happen to be involved in all the pyg here. See, me and martin have activities together and we have our own. He has no pyg except one which we both do and the rest our mind. And as i have said they have been extremely difficult to start and let alone in spanish.. But i have learned to not let my judgement cloud my mind. Cause i thought everyone of my groups would be impossiable but all it required was a little extra work. Once i gained the trust of the kids the groups were so much easier to do. Now i love going to them and i love hanging out with them and them seeing  me as a brother. They come to me when they have problems and everything. Just another reassures i am here doing the right thing

My goals with god

Pictures!

Life in Paraguay

Home Sweet Home

Hey everyone! Well we only lack about 5 days until this wondrous fast is over! Don't get me wrong i have loved it because i have actually had the opportunity to deepen on the writing and stuff but it is one of the hardest things i have had to endure. Normally for me the fast is that hard, it usually a mind of matter thing, but here it near impossible. Luckily the weather is calming down because it becoming Fall here but still. I hardly ever have energy to do anything and we are constantly going places. It gets so frustrating cause all i want to do is sleep. And since time has change and went back an hour the soon leaves alot earlier at like 5:45 now which makes it easier. Then again i hardly ever wake up to eat breakfast so its kind of my fault too. 

So its almost the three month mark a time has flew by so fast! And i use to tell people when they ask me if i miss home, i would say no not now but in three months or so probly. Now its hitting hard! I miss home so much. At night its pretty bad cause i am alone in my room talking to all my friends and seeing what life is like back home and it makes me wanna go home just for a few days. I get jealous when everyone can go visit there families and frinds and i have to wait a good year. But who knows by the time its time to leave it will be the complete opposite. 

So this week was to eventful just the normal activities. Tuesday we had the py group in the high school and we showed them Couch Carter to try and inspire them and i think it worked more or less. They talked a little more but they still arent really giving us the time nor the day. But i will work my charm on them, i will make it happen. ;)

Friday was another busy day and we had our other group of py in the 7th grade. This group is full of life and character and they each have distinct personality. They are more like the groups you read in book5! But we also showed them the movie and they loved it and asked a bunch of question and i felt like they were inspired. Afterwards was one of the py birthday and they she had brought some club quality stereo  system and cds. Then the kids were dancing and i was pretty shocked. I mean i see dancing like that all the time in clubs in stuff but never with 7th graders in school!! Here its nothing but to me its kind of a culture shock! I think its latino culture in general. I found it very funny and shocking at the same time! 

Well thats it for this week. See you all later!!!