Day 2- the 26th of July.
After finding out that my brother, Juan, had to leave early in the morning to go back to work, we decided we would get there as early as we could so we could say our goodbyes to him. When we met him the night before it was pitch dark and we couldn't see each other, but we took a picture and he his very handsome. We also talked to Zach (the peace corp volunteer from Miami) about coming with us and translating. He spoke Spanish and some Guarani. He said yes! We woke up at 6am, met Zach and Louis (the hotel manager) drove us to Lomas. Unfortunately, Juan had already left. Upon arrival I was greeted at the truck by Jessica, my youngest sister. See, yesterday she had know idea I even existed. Can you imagine going about your normal day and then having some lady come up to you, saying hello, I'm you sister!!! She was very quiet as she listened to Aldo translate my story for her. All this was done at my mother's grave site. But her reaction didn't bother me, of course. I felt bad for her,she is so young and her mother is gone.Now, as I got out of the truck, Jessica immediatly flashed me this beautfiul smile and put her arms around me.She kept those arms around me and rested her head on my shoulder as we walked to her home. We walked around the house and they announced that I was there. Three more sisters, Felicita the eldest, Maria, and Amancia all approached me wearing the most beautiful smiles. Amancia threw her arms around me and hugged me very tightly and began to cry tears of joy with a hint of sadness that our Mother was unable to witness my return. She basically told me as we hugged that "they never thought this day would happen, they all thought I disappeared forever, and that our Mom would be very pleased that I came back and found them." I hugged my other sisters and continued the rest of the hour communicating with them thanks to Zack's help. After an hour, Zach had to leave so that meant we were on our own. James whipped out our little translation books but we soon realizied they were no help. But, all this was ok, because we enjoyed just being with them. Later that afternoon I met, Perla and Madrena, two more sisters! We headed over to my grandmothers house and sipped cocido and looked at pictures of her son. I also met my great Uncle Mariceo. He lives with them and is blind. Uncle Mariceo has been blind since his was 26 when he got in a accident at his job. I loved sitting there, listening to him sing in Guarani. My grandfather, Angel (pronounced Ahn-hel) works hard ever day. He has 16 acres and cows, pig, and chickens. He sells cotton. My grandmother, Mercedes, tends to the house and also works very hard. My grandfather really liked James and was excited to show him his plow. James told him he was ready to work! At my fathers home, they have avocado, orange, coconut, banana and mango trees. They have a small garden with onions and herbs. A pig lives in his own mud hole and the chickens roam freely. There is also a cow that seems to like my Dad but no one else. The Parana river is right down the road and they go fishing often. Everything they need to survive is right there. They have a small house, with no walls, just three beds and a small refrigerator.They have dirt floors and a straw roofs. My sister in law that lives with them has her own little house (only big enough for a bed) made out of the same materials. There is a hammock for the new born baby above her bed. Next to that is another building that is their kitchen. Here they keep a fire and have 4 different sized kettles for cooking stews and such. On the side of the kitchen is a few boxes for the nesting chickens to lay their eggs. I found this out when I walked back there to film Pa-Pa killing a chicken but then realized he was just looking at her eggs! Yes, both my grandmother and Manuel snatched up a 2 chickens and were ready to kill 'em for dinner!! For lunch, they brought out a huge chunk of meat and joked about it being dog! They made this amazing stew with rice and this root from a mandioaka tree that when they cook it it taste like bread with the texture of a potatoes. They loved our camera's and thought it was funny we wanted to take pictures of everything. Around 2pm, Aldo showed up with his family!! Yes! Now we can really communicate again!. So I told them about where I grew up, a few of my talents and about our daughter. We told them that this has always been my dream and I always knew about them and wanted to see them. My sisters are very loving. Combing each others hair, always hugging each other and showing some kind of affection. My brothers ( the two that were there) liked James. Manuel.. he is a protective brother. At first I think he kept an eye on James, but then he was calling him the Micheal Jackson of Paraguay! I love this dude, he's so straigthtface like my Pa-Pa and serious, but then you catch him goofing off in the background. Marcelo, my younger brother, was very sweet and camera shy! I chased him around trying to film him but he was to sneaky and fast! None of the men had problems hugging. James was hugged by all of them, as was I. These people are so affectionate and they aren't scared to show it. I love that about them and it makes me happy since the majority of my family back at home wouldn't even talk to me or hug me at my Daddy's funeral. I knew our plan was to leave that night and head back toward Honeau. There is only one way out and one way in, and this means not very many buses come to Lomas or San Cosme. Which meant the hardest part of this journey... saying goodbye. My sister, Maria had something to tell James and I so Aldo (did I say he was our good friend, for life?) translated. She told us to tell Avanee Happy Birthday and that James was a really good man and she was happy for me and my life. She said she was happy I came back and to never forget them. Maria said my mother always dreamed of this day but didn't think it would happen. Of course, me being a big ball bag, was crying and she ran to me and hugged me and was saying alot in Guarani. All of a sudden she just drops. Maria passed out and then had what looked like a seizure. James, myself and Aldo got her in a chair and the sisters grabbed wet towels and mint herbs to put under her nose. I think this has happened before and its triggered by too much emotion. Maria came to and apologized, which there was no need for. We were just a little shocked and scared. Amancia told us that she was also happy and that she was sorry that they didn't have money for nice things for us. This broke my heart. Of course, we didn't care that they didnt have fancy this or expensive that, but we know what we have and what they don't. It makes me feel so lucky and so selfish. I walked around that day, dreading to have to leave them. I wanted to give them all of my clothes, James wanted to buy them a pig and leave his shoes. We both wished we could take Jessica back with us and teach her English and let her go to school ( she only went to 4th grade, and none of my other siblings finished). I wished I had known there was a baby, because I would have brought her all of Avanee's baby clothes and blankets. But I think it hit us both what our job or our mission in life is... to help these beautiful people. Next time, we will bring clothes and blankets. The next time we will build them a nice house that has a real floor and a real roof. They wont have to worry about leaks or the winds or the heat. My father, Candido, is very sick, he has emphysema and he cannot work. My sisters said he wont take money. Manuel stays and helps him. My father also cannot read or write. Wouldn't that be great if we could give him a home that he can count on being there for his children and grandchildren even after he's gone? Just so many ideas we have. These Guarani Indians that are my family are so kind and happy and content with their life. This is why they deserve more. They dont expect help, hell, they probably wont even want help, but its what were going to do. We said our goodbyes, which was so hard. Tears were falling down, all around. We also said goodbye to our other, infectiously happy friend, Edgar and Zach. Before we said bye, they took us to the school library where my parents had donated boxes of books. Books in Paraguay are rare and very expensive, so for this school to have this as a donation was a big deal. And they still had them!!! Edgar said it was his job to take care of them. I got to see books by Mark Twain and Jules Verne with my mom and dad's signature! I'm so proud of my parents and all that they did. Three of my sisters live in a town on the way to Aldo's hometown. So we offered to take them there instead of them having to ride a bus in the middle of the night with all their kids. This meant there was 18 people piled in one small minivan (mystery machine)!! It was a sight to see. We also had all our luggage with us so it was a very tight fit. Trust me, it was funny but not that funny when some anonymous person keeps farting or as they say in Guarani ( and I'm probably not spelling this right but it's pronounced like this) "poono." We fed everyone Coke's and empanada's and took them home. The past two days have been amazing. James and I kept smiling all day long, but at the end, I couldn't smile anymore. I was sad to leave them. My heart was already aching for them. I spent the evening crying in James' arms. Crying for joy and happiness,and because I was going to a nice warm home while they had so little. I cried for my mother, Lucida. I found myself missing my Dad more and more after discovering bits and peices he had left behind in San Cosme. I thought it was sad that my mother had left this earth just two months before my dad died. Then James told me he had seen a beautiful blue bird flying near us as we walked to my Pa-Pa's home from grandmothers. Today as I typed this blog and thought of my mom and dad that have passed, a beautiful blue bird (there shouldn't be any Blue Jays in Paraguay, but the wings were so vividly blue I gave it a double look) flew by our hotel window and landed across the street where I could see it perfectly... then it just disappeared. I know this for sure...they are both still with me. Enjoy all our pics.
Many hugs to everyone and lots of kisses to my sweet Avanee.
Love, Cristina
After finding out that my brother, Juan, had to leave early in the morning to go back to work, we decided we would get there as early as we could so we could say our goodbyes to him. When we met him the night before it was pitch dark and we couldn't see each other, but we took a picture and he his very handsome. We also talked to Zach (the peace corp volunteer from Miami) about coming with us and translating. He spoke Spanish and some Guarani. He said yes! We woke up at 6am, met Zach and Louis (the hotel manager) drove us to Lomas. Unfortunately, Juan had already left. Upon arrival I was greeted at the truck by Jessica, my youngest sister. See, yesterday she had know idea I even existed. Can you imagine going about your normal day and then having some lady come up to you, saying hello, I'm you sister!!! She was very quiet as she listened to Aldo translate my story for her. All this was done at my mother's grave site. But her reaction didn't bother me, of course. I felt bad for her,she is so young and her mother is gone.Now, as I got out of the truck, Jessica immediatly flashed me this beautfiul smile and put her arms around me.She kept those arms around me and rested her head on my shoulder as we walked to her home. We walked around the house and they announced that I was there. Three more sisters, Felicita the eldest, Maria, and Amancia all approached me wearing the most beautiful smiles. Amancia threw her arms around me and hugged me very tightly and began to cry tears of joy with a hint of sadness that our Mother was unable to witness my return. She basically told me as we hugged that "they never thought this day would happen, they all thought I disappeared forever, and that our Mom would be very pleased that I came back and found them." I hugged my other sisters and continued the rest of the hour communicating with them thanks to Zack's help. After an hour, Zach had to leave so that meant we were on our own. James whipped out our little translation books but we soon realizied they were no help. But, all this was ok, because we enjoyed just being with them. Later that afternoon I met, Perla and Madrena, two more sisters! We headed over to my grandmothers house and sipped cocido and looked at pictures of her son. I also met my great Uncle Mariceo. He lives with them and is blind. Uncle Mariceo has been blind since his was 26 when he got in a accident at his job. I loved sitting there, listening to him sing in Guarani. My grandfather, Angel (pronounced Ahn-hel) works hard ever day. He has 16 acres and cows, pig, and chickens. He sells cotton. My grandmother, Mercedes, tends to the house and also works very hard. My grandfather really liked James and was excited to show him his plow. James told him he was ready to work! At my fathers home, they have avocado, orange, coconut, banana and mango trees. They have a small garden with onions and herbs. A pig lives in his own mud hole and the chickens roam freely. There is also a cow that seems to like my Dad but no one else. The Parana river is right down the road and they go fishing often. Everything they need to survive is right there. They have a small house, with no walls, just three beds and a small refrigerator.They have dirt floors and a straw roofs. My sister in law that lives with them has her own little house (only big enough for a bed) made out of the same materials. There is a hammock for the new born baby above her bed. Next to that is another building that is their kitchen. Here they keep a fire and have 4 different sized kettles for cooking stews and such. On the side of the kitchen is a few boxes for the nesting chickens to lay their eggs. I found this out when I walked back there to film Pa-Pa killing a chicken but then realized he was just looking at her eggs! Yes, both my grandmother and Manuel snatched up a 2 chickens and were ready to kill 'em for dinner!! For lunch, they brought out a huge chunk of meat and joked about it being dog! They made this amazing stew with rice and this root from a mandioaka tree that when they cook it it taste like bread with the texture of a potatoes. They loved our camera's and thought it was funny we wanted to take pictures of everything. Around 2pm, Aldo showed up with his family!! Yes! Now we can really communicate again!. So I told them about where I grew up, a few of my talents and about our daughter. We told them that this has always been my dream and I always knew about them and wanted to see them. My sisters are very loving. Combing each others hair, always hugging each other and showing some kind of affection. My brothers ( the two that were there) liked James. Manuel.. he is a protective brother. At first I think he kept an eye on James, but then he was calling him the Micheal Jackson of Paraguay! I love this dude, he's so straigthtface like my Pa-Pa and serious, but then you catch him goofing off in the background. Marcelo, my younger brother, was very sweet and camera shy! I chased him around trying to film him but he was to sneaky and fast! None of the men had problems hugging. James was hugged by all of them, as was I. These people are so affectionate and they aren't scared to show it. I love that about them and it makes me happy since the majority of my family back at home wouldn't even talk to me or hug me at my Daddy's funeral. I knew our plan was to leave that night and head back toward Honeau. There is only one way out and one way in, and this means not very many buses come to Lomas or San Cosme. Which meant the hardest part of this journey... saying goodbye. My sister, Maria had something to tell James and I so Aldo (did I say he was our good friend, for life?) translated. She told us to tell Avanee Happy Birthday and that James was a really good man and she was happy for me and my life. She said she was happy I came back and to never forget them. Maria said my mother always dreamed of this day but didn't think it would happen. Of course, me being a big ball bag, was crying and she ran to me and hugged me and was saying alot in Guarani. All of a sudden she just drops. Maria passed out and then had what looked like a seizure. James, myself and Aldo got her in a chair and the sisters grabbed wet towels and mint herbs to put under her nose. I think this has happened before and its triggered by too much emotion. Maria came to and apologized, which there was no need for. We were just a little shocked and scared. Amancia told us that she was also happy and that she was sorry that they didn't have money for nice things for us. This broke my heart. Of course, we didn't care that they didnt have fancy this or expensive that, but we know what we have and what they don't. It makes me feel so lucky and so selfish. I walked around that day, dreading to have to leave them. I wanted to give them all of my clothes, James wanted to buy them a pig and leave his shoes. We both wished we could take Jessica back with us and teach her English and let her go to school ( she only went to 4th grade, and none of my other siblings finished). I wished I had known there was a baby, because I would have brought her all of Avanee's baby clothes and blankets. But I think it hit us both what our job or our mission in life is... to help these beautiful people. Next time, we will bring clothes and blankets. The next time we will build them a nice house that has a real floor and a real roof. They wont have to worry about leaks or the winds or the heat. My father, Candido, is very sick, he has emphysema and he cannot work. My sisters said he wont take money. Manuel stays and helps him. My father also cannot read or write. Wouldn't that be great if we could give him a home that he can count on being there for his children and grandchildren even after he's gone? Just so many ideas we have. These Guarani Indians that are my family are so kind and happy and content with their life. This is why they deserve more. They dont expect help, hell, they probably wont even want help, but its what were going to do. We said our goodbyes, which was so hard. Tears were falling down, all around. We also said goodbye to our other, infectiously happy friend, Edgar and Zach. Before we said bye, they took us to the school library where my parents had donated boxes of books. Books in Paraguay are rare and very expensive, so for this school to have this as a donation was a big deal. And they still had them!!! Edgar said it was his job to take care of them. I got to see books by Mark Twain and Jules Verne with my mom and dad's signature! I'm so proud of my parents and all that they did. Three of my sisters live in a town on the way to Aldo's hometown. So we offered to take them there instead of them having to ride a bus in the middle of the night with all their kids. This meant there was 18 people piled in one small minivan (mystery machine)!! It was a sight to see. We also had all our luggage with us so it was a very tight fit. Trust me, it was funny but not that funny when some anonymous person keeps farting or as they say in Guarani ( and I'm probably not spelling this right but it's pronounced like this) "poono." We fed everyone Coke's and empanada's and took them home. The past two days have been amazing. James and I kept smiling all day long, but at the end, I couldn't smile anymore. I was sad to leave them. My heart was already aching for them. I spent the evening crying in James' arms. Crying for joy and happiness,and because I was going to a nice warm home while they had so little. I cried for my mother, Lucida. I found myself missing my Dad more and more after discovering bits and peices he had left behind in San Cosme. I thought it was sad that my mother had left this earth just two months before my dad died. Then James told me he had seen a beautiful blue bird flying near us as we walked to my Pa-Pa's home from grandmothers. Today as I typed this blog and thought of my mom and dad that have passed, a beautiful blue bird (there shouldn't be any Blue Jays in Paraguay, but the wings were so vividly blue I gave it a double look) flew by our hotel window and landed across the street where I could see it perfectly... then it just disappeared. I know this for sure...they are both still with me. Enjoy all our pics.
Many hugs to everyone and lots of kisses to my sweet Avanee.
Love, Cristina
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