Sights and sounds of our new neighborhood

Our neighborhood is relatively quiet and calm. We've done a little exploring by foot and within a 15 minute walk (if Olivia is not with us…with Olivia, easily that can turn into 30 minutes!) we can reach a large grocery store, an empanada restaurant, a pharmacy, a churrasqueria, the US Embassy, and Olivia’s preschool. Within the residential area, I've seen a travel agency, a bodega, and an art gallery.

Part of the reason why walking with Olivia takes a while- sometimes she just doesn't feel like walking anymore!

Most of the homes around our neighborhood are gated, some with razor wire (like our house) or electric fencing on top, and a few have homemade glass bottle protection. Some have solid gates or walls, while others are like ours with bars so you can still see the street/home. There are a few homes that don’t have gates at all. The homes range from super huge and fancy ones to seemingly modest homes. 

Broken glass cemented to the tops of the wall

This is the razor we have lining our house

Our particular street is paved, but many of the smaller streets coming off of it are cobblestone. It is not uncommon here for streets to be unpaved, so we have been learning which streets are to hopefully save on wear and tear on our car when we start driving! The sidewalks are also uneven on our street (sometimes a step of 6 inches or more) and there are lots of random deep holes. I’ve only taken Olivia in a stroller once and I've decided it is too much of a pain.

The streets are lined with tons of trees, including fruit trees and very pretty flowering trees. 

On a typical day, we usually see the following in our neighborhood:

• The man in his car with a loudspeaker selling chipa (a type of bread made from yucca flour, eggs, lard, cheese, and anise seed…and from what I understand blasting in the loudspeaker, he also sells crunchy ones and the ones stuffed with meat called chipa so’o). I have never been able to catch him in time, so I have no idea how his chipa are, but we hear him almost every day. When Olivia hears him, she likes to mimic him by saying “Chipa chipa chiiiiiipa, mumble mumble, chiiiipa!” And I can never get a good video- this is the closest I've gotten. He's quick!

• Men/boys riding around on a motorcycle pulling a cart collecting bottles, cans, and cardboard that we separate out and put on the street. I always try my best to set it out so they can see what is there and they don’t have to dig through the trash. 

• Stray dogs running about. Sometimes they appear to have been former pets, with ragged sweaters or collars with no tags (poor things- if they had sweaters, they were probably spoiled at one time). When they start to run toward me, I usually walk to the other side of the street (no need to test out our rabies vaccines). Olivia likes to tell me they are saying hello to her when they start barking.

• Lots and lots of construction. I don’t know if it is common in every neighborhood, but on the .5 mile walk to Olivia’s preschool, we pass by 4 active construction sites, as well as a few seemingly abandoned projects.

• Random strangers asking me if I have money, clothes, milk, or other things to give to them. Usually they ring our doorbell- they range from small children, teenagers, to older women. I always feel bad telling them I don't have anything to give, but I was advised not to. 

• We also have the trash truck that seems to come around our neighborhood every Thursday and Saturday night around 9 or 10pm in a huge dump truck, and sometimes on Tuesdays. I haven’t been able to quite figure out the schedule. Generally people put their trash out on the sidewalk in raised metal bins in front of their home, but for homes that don't have one, they just stick it out on the sidewalk and you just hope the stray dogs and cats haven't torn into them. 

The raised trash bins that are in front of homes (no wheeling bins like in the US)

Garbage on the street if the house doesn't have a raised bin

Overall, we live in a lovely neighborhood where it's actually very nice to take a stroll through on a breezy and cool day (as long as you watch where you are walking). 

Our new home

Welcome to our new home!

We have been slowly settling into our house. It’s modern, walking distance to the US Embassy, and has a great amount of space for us. We really like it despite the fact that, almost daily, we have somebody coming over to work on something (faulty pool filter, water penetrating through the exterior brick, getting an electric shock every time we used the stove…). I have to be home when the contractors or Embassy staff come over, so it’s a good thing I am not working and I don’t mind being in the house!

On the first floor, there is an office with an en suite bathroom (we are going to use this as a playroom for Olivia), a “social bathroom”, the kitchen, dining room, and a living room with fireplace.

There is also a laundry room, another small bathroom, and a housekeeper’s quarters (which actually houses a second freezer, a metal locker, our vacuum and mop, and lots of boxes) on the first floor, as well as an atrium to allow some light in, since technically our walls are shared with both our neighbors, which would mean no windows on either side of the house without the atrium. 

On the second floor are 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a living room with a fireplace. The master has a huge closet area separating the bedroom and the bathroom. There is a jetted tub that I had the horror of trying to clean (see photo below…it was so gross but I’m hoping it was mostly the orangey brown Paraguayan dirt).

Still trying to figure out the best way to conceal all the open toiletries- more baskets?

Questionable filth coming through the jets as I throw in bleach in hopes of disinfecting

Olivia’s bedroom has an en suite bathroom, and the other two bedrooms (which we will use as guestrooms for all our visitors…hint hint, family & friends!) have a shared bathroom. In one guest room, there is a queen bed, and the other has two twin beds. I don't have any photos of Olivia's room, but it's about the size of the guest rooms.

(before we put in a queen bed and moved the twin)

Guest bathroom 

Even has a bidet! And a reminder not to flush paper down the toilet!

We decided to set up our t.v. in the upstairs living room. We are still waiting on our actual t.v., and until then we are using the small t.v. that the Embassy is lending to us. Unlike in Jamaica, this room actually has an air conditioner in it, so we will still be able to sit in the room when it gets really hot.

In our backyard, we have a small covered area where we have a table and chairs and our quincho. My understanding is that in Paraguay, it is common to have a quincho (aka outdoor barbecue area) and we have already used it several times. Bags of charcoal are very inexpensive here, as is meat!

We also have a grassy area and a small pool that is gated off. It was perfect when we first arrived because it was so hot outside. Now that we are going into winter and it is actually relatively chilly, Olivia still wants to stick her feet in the pool and I have to remind her that it is too cold. It goes from about 1 foot deep to 4.5 feet deep.

In the back of the yard is another room (which we are essentially using as a toolshed for the lawnmower, pool chemicals and camping supplies, but which I would guess could serve as another household help living quarters) and a bathroom that I should probably check on and clean. 

Once we get our final shipment of stuff and actually get our things unpacked, I’ll try and post some updated photos of the rooms...if we actually hang anything on the walls! 

Onward to Paraguay!

We have officially been in Paraguay for 2 months! I obviously failed at my last attempt at writing on a more regular basis, so here we try again (and maybe I’ll one day fill in the information about Kingston, our time in DC, and home leave in CA)! I’ll try to break down our first two months in a handful of posts (but we’ve seen how well that worked in the past, so no promises!).

The trip from LAX to Asuncion spanned 48 hours, including a one-night stopover in Miami and a layover in Sao Paolo, Brazil. We started our journey on April 4th, traveling with 6 checked bags (3 suitcases, 3 duffles), 3 carry-ons, a stroller, and a carseat. There were parts of the trip that were stressful but on the plus side, Olivia did well on the flights, we had free in-flight entertainment from LAX-MIA which was a surprise, and we were seated in the bulkhead/Main Cabin Extra seats from MIA-GRU (the photo below is Olivia in a regular seat from LAX-MIA. Very little leg room, and absolutely zero give once the seat in front was reclined).

We also paid for access to the American Airline lounges, which was great for having a calm environment to be in amidst all the chaos of traveling. They have a kids room which allowed Olivia to talk and wander and play without disturbing all the business travelers. Olivia played with a new friend from the UK who had just gotten done with a Carribean cruise. 

Our layover in Sao Paolo was also relatively painless. We spent that time in the lounge where we were nearly the only people there. Adam and I both got showers in so we didn't feel too grungy for the next half of our trip and Olivia was happy to walk around with zebra and stretch her legs.

We arrived in Asuncion on April 5th, 2016 at around 2pm (Asuncion is currently on East coast time). From my perception, the airport seemed extremely small, even compared to the airport in Kingston. The walk down to the gate and baggage area happened so quickly, I didn't even get a chance to take any photos saying "Bienvenido a Paraguay." Next time we fly in!

We were met at the gate by two staff members from the Embassy who helped expedite us past customs and immigration. It was quite hot during our first couple weeks here and I remember Mabel (one of the Embassy staffers who met us) telling me that it was sweater weather as sweat dripped off my forehead. It has gotten much cooler since then (in the 60s, so winter parka weather!). I’m sure after a very hot summer, I may be saying the same thing, but for now, I’ll enjoy the Paraguayan fall and winter weather!

After we left the airport, it was a half hour drive to our new house!

Susan, Luc, Amelie, & Betty Take On Jamaica!

Susan, Luc, Amelie, & Betty in Jamaica

February 27- March 22, 2015

Susan, Luc, and Amelie took a 3-week trip out to Jamaica and at the last minute (as in the night before departure!), Betty booked a flight and came for 2 weeks!

We had a blast having them here, despite two bouts of sickness (Amelie & Luc picked up a stomach bug, and then shortly after, Betty & Luc picked up some kind of virus that caused high fever, fatigue, and nausea for Betty).  It was an adjustment for Olivia to suddenly have so many people in the house. One morning early in their visit, when I brought her downstairs, she burst into tears when she saw Betty, Luc, and Amelie in the living room. Totally a change of tune after 3 weeks- she's now so lonely!

Here's an overview of their visit- we miss them so!!:

Week 1- Their first weekend, we went to a pool party at Powell Plaza and then went to Scotchie's for jerk chicken & pork that night. On Sunday, I took Susan, Luc, and Amelie to church where I saw a couple of families I knew from the Embassy and we met many really nice people. During the week, Susan and the kids went swimming almost every day. We also took Luc to Rhymetime and I hosted a huge baby group (with over 20 moms and 3 sets of twins!). We also had Indian food and sushi, as well as lots of homecooked meals.  On Friday, we headed out with my friend Cynthia to Devon House to get some ice cream and patties as a snack. However, on our way there, Luc complained that his stomach hurt. We got to Devon House and Luc lay down on the mat and asked for a tummy massage. He then vomited into Betty's lap. Susan didn't bring an extra change of clothes so she went with Cynthia shopping and got Luc a Jamaica shirt. We decided to skip ice cream and head home- Luc vomited again on the drive home. That night, Amelie started vomiting too (also on Betty), so we knew it was not something they ate, but a bug they must have picked up.

Amelie wants some spicy jerk chicken quick!

Olivia is never out this late! Marveling at the stars?

Scotchies was the perfect jungle gym for Luc

More pool time

Cousin playtime

Rhymetime!

Cool cats!

Babies hanging out at Lucie Mae's house

Gigantic baby group at my house!

Hanging out on the "stoop" (Amelie needed a helping Auntie Betty hand)

Luc said to me "We are all going to play in the living room, and YOU can't come." 

Olivia did not handle losing her toys and non-toys very well. It got better as time went on. :)

Hanging out at Devon House- a few minutes later Luc climbed into Betty's lap and vomited on her. 

Betty's second vomit incident that day- this time by Amelie. Needless to say, showers, baths, laundry, and clean up came shortly after

Week 2- We were planning to go to Port Antonio for the weekend, but because of the sick kiddos, we spent the weekend at home tending to the sickies. The kids did really well and played in the backyard (Luc got a set of sidewalk chalk at Megamart and the girls enjoyed crawling about in the yard). That Sunday, we did end up going to get ice cream and Luc loved it! During the week, we went to Boardwalk Beach, Rhymetime, lunch with Virginie and Louana at the Liguanea Club Terrace, and to Hope Gardens with Cynthia and Francis. Shortly after we got home from Hope Gardens, Betty started to not feel well. We then took Luc to Pricesmart and picked up donuts. We realized Luc was also not well because he didn't even feel like eating much of his treat. Shortly after, both Luc and Betty had temperatures of 103! Betty flew home on Friday and it was such a sad goodbye because she was sick as a dog and hardly had any energy!

Luc wasn't well enough to go swimming or running around, so he clocked in a little iPad time

Backyard time

I think Betty was playing her Luminosity train game while Olivia tried to get her attention

Ice cream time!

Luc and his chocolate ice cream beard

Betty enjoying her cone!!

A trip to Boardwalk Beach on a Monday morning

Amelie enjoying the shade and sea breeze

It was windy but Luc loved chasing the waves

Super cute family time!

Betty and Olivia are out shopping

Olivia discovered that Loshusan stocks her favorite snacks. She wants more! More! More!

Rhymetime!

Lunch with Virginie and Louana

Luc had a great time collecting "coconuts" from the mango tree, which you can see next to Susan's plate

Two sweet girls

Evening walks around our complex

Hope Gardens

So much green space at Hope Gardens

Francis on a stroll

Luc and Francis in the distance- so much space to run around

Uncle Adam cuddling with Amelie

Cousins reading upside down together

Enjoying the shade in the backyard 

Luc coveting the strawberry in our garden- Adam let him eat it 

Luc coming down with a fever

Bottles! Who needs toys!

Olivia chatting it up with one of the Embassy guards while Luc was delivering donuts to the guards (he had asked for a dozen to buy at Pricesmart to give to the guards, so off we went!)

Sick Betty :(

Betty's last morning- trying to muster energy 

Olivia saying "Betty, don't leave us!"

Cousin cuddles

More cousin cuddles (or is it headbutting?)

Week 3- Luckily we started the 3rd weekend with a trip to Port Antonio. It was just in time because there was a dump fire in Kingston that was out of control and the entire city was swamped with smoke and warnings to stay inside (schools were even closed!). On top of that, they had shut down our swimming pool in the complex so it was nice to get away. We stayed at the Goblin Hill Villas in a 2 bedroom, 2 story townhouse. Overall, we had a nice time- the kids got to listen to some live Jamaican folk music while looking out to San San Beach and we also took a trip to Frenchman's Cove. The week was comprised of hanging out at the house since we couldn't all fit into the car to go anywhere, plus the air was smokey from the dump fire and our swimming pool in the complex was still out of order. The kids played, Luc watched Jake the Pirate and Chugginton in French, and Susan worked out, read Harry Potter, and we watched Blacklist. We ended their visit with a vacation out to Runaway Bay at the Jewel Resort. It wasn't a "vacation" for Susan, but the kids had a great time at the beach and Luc LOVED the waterpark at the resort. We had one room that had it's own private little plunge pool, which was awesome for Luc to splash in while his baby sister was napping away in the room.

Olivia dancing to the music at Goblin Villas

Enjoying the views, music, and Ting (Jamaican grapefruit soft drink)

Luc and Olivia jamming with the musicians (Luc even got to shake the maracas)

View from our patio at breakfast

Pancakes, eggs, and bacon! Yum! Second breakfast for Luc (hobbit in training)

A few seats ready for the next visitors

 

Stop over at Frenchman's Cove. It was a busy Sunday and we ran into a lot of people we knew from Kingston- everyone was escaping the smoke!

Luc trying to catch fish in the river

Happy family at gorgeous Frenchman's Cove

Jerk chicken that took over 2 hours to come out

Back at home- craft time with pipe cleaners!

Sharing is caring

Short walks in our complex when the air outside was breathable

Fantastic chalk art

One of the days when we planned to go swimming- it was too smokey outside and our pool was still closed, so Luc spent about 10 minutes outside running around while Susan squirted him with the hose. He LOVED it.

Olivia still didn't handle losing toys so well

Luc got sick on the drive to Runaway Bay, so when we arrived it was vomit clean up

Once out of the car, he was all better and ready to swim swim swim!

After getting tired of the huge resort pool, Luc took a break in his mini plunge pool at the hotel room

And then it was off to the water park!

Nice shallow parts for Olivia to stand in

Luc running for the water slide (can you spot him and Adam?)

Luc and Adam floating along the lazy river

Back to the room after the waterpark for some more mini pool time

Ending the water filled day with playtime at the beach

Happy family!

Went to one of the resort restaurants for dinner

Olivia doesn't want to wait for the photo- food now! This was the snapper kids meal (fancy huh?) 

The next day it was more beach time while Susan got a massage (and Adam got one too)

Luc also stopped by the Kids Club at the resort in the morning and in the afternoon and had a great time playing

Sunday- Last bit of playtime before their flight :(

Look at these cuties!!

Aww, we miss you guys!!

The goodbyes were tough and Olivia has been a bit out of sorts since they all left. She has been extra clingy and hasn't been playing with her toys. Instead, she chooses to stay close to where I am. Luckily, in less than a week, Grandma Margaret and Grandpa David will be coming for a visit! Whooopeeeee!