Everyone in my immediate family, and many friends, have long since succumbed to this new trend of having a blog (their lives are much more exciting than mine) and I had every intention of resisting the fall to the same fate for as long as possible. Well, I’ve resisted. And resisted. And apparently, it’s no longer possible. Seeing as I’m off to Paraguay for an internship this coming summer, it turns out I might actually have more to say than “I went to class today, and then I went to work. Rode my bike and hung out with some friends this weekend.” Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don’t enjoy my life, I most certainly do, but I can also appreciate that it’s not something many people would want to read about. It’s just not all that exciting. So here’s the deal: I have given in, and I will use this to update all you wonderful people about my adventures in Paraguay, but be forewarned, once I’m back in the States, this is likely to fall by the wayside! Just saying.
So, you know I’m going to Paraguay now. But if your first reaction upon hearing that is not to tell me how awesome that is (which it is!), but instead to ask, “Where the heck is Paraguay??” be comforted by the fact that you’re not the first. Paraguay is in South America (but I bet you already knew that). Right smack in the middle of it, actually. That little landlocked country right below Brazil, above Argentina, and next to Bolivia? Yep, that one. I know, you didn’t know it was there. That’s okay. And yes, it’s landlocked. I’m moving from a landlocked state to a landlocked country. Have I mentioned how much I really do love water? Alas. At least Paraguay isn’t square. Sorry, Colorado. You’re still cool, despite being a boring shape.
Here’s Paraguay: (Didn’t anyone tell them pink and red don’t match??)
I'm going to be living in Asunción, which is the capital. It's not on my crappy little map up there, but its right on the Argentina border in that little crook thing in the South. (My descriptions are very precise, I know. Sorry.) I don't know much about Asunción, but from what I know of big Latin American cities, it's probably not a lot to brag about. But, I'm excited nonetheless. And, it’s close enough to Argentina that hopefully I’ll get the chance to explore it too, at least a little.
People in Paraguay speak Spanish. But I bet you knew that too. However, I think this is pretty cool, since it turns out I'm rather fond of Spanish. I'm actually okay at it, too. Though hopefully by the time I come back, I'll be better than okay. People in Paraguay also speak Guaraní. Guaraní is an indigenous language that is still widely spoken, and is Paraguay's second official language. So apparently I'll be learning some of that too. I'll keep you updated on how that goes.
I’ll tell you more about what I’ll actually be doing there next time. I have to drag this out at least a little, after all—I don’t leave for another two months! (Trip dates, by the way: May 31-August 3)
