volvi a mi tierra

I went to Paraguay without any expectations and on very short notice, which in my opinion is the best way to travel. In fact, I got fired from yet another job for leaving on such short notice. It was well worth it.
These pictures are from outside of my house there.
--Edit------------
Everyone keeps asking me what I thought of Paraguay. I initially planned to write a post about my week, but to be honest I don’t really know how to answer the question. I wrote a few paragraphs while I was there but when I came home and re-read it, it just didn’t really sound right.

All I can really say is that it was wonderful to see my family and that it is a beautiful country despite the widespread poverty.

Certain things that stood out:

1. While driving to Asuncion from Santa Rosa (about 4 long, bumpy hours) we passed through several small villages. It rained the whole way. I looked out the foggy windows as we passed by little homes, and families were just sitting on their porches watching the rain fall. There’s not much you can do there when it rains in the countryside; The TVs stop working, schools close, the dirt roads turn into puddles of mud, and there is simply nowhere to go…

2. Stray dogs, cats, chickens, and even cows wandered the streets looking for something to eat or a puddle to drink from.

3. My house there is surrounded by a tall brick wall with shards of glass and barbed wire on top to discourage trespassers. You can kind of see it in the third picture but it was really dark. My younger cousins painted the walls.

4. Meeting my baby cousin, Ana Claudia. She is so presh.

5. Toasting to life and happiness at dinner with my whole family who I had not seen in 11 years.

(LNA tights, AA sexualitee, sam edelman shoes, vintage sweater)