Yesterday I awoke to go "lend my services", ha, such a joke, to an organization called "Alto Refugio". It is a drop-in centre for people with HIV/AIDS, and they offer support groups, childcare and meals for those visiting the AIDS clinic at the hospital, dental care, and a host of other services for those affected by HIV or AIDS.

I started out by arriving punctually at 8am (i'd like to take credit but riki's mom is the complete reason i was there on time), and meeting Dave, who told me that all the ladies in charge were gone for the day. He hadn't been aware that I was coming that day, and was the only english-speaker in the house.

It turned out that all the childcare ladies had gone away together and, as a result, I was the one left in charge.
I was skeptical, being that I didn't know the kids, the language, the rules, and i was the only adult. I was getting stressed, but then I got pooped on by a rather sloppy little girl (who later mushed her drool-y hands on my face and giggled), and I came to the conclusion i often do when faced with overwhelming new experiences when travelling: laugh or cry. So I laughed.
Why waste a minute on frustration when you're having a once in a lifetime experience? Besides, poo washes off. (The smell lingers, though, I tell you).

Today I returned to Alto Refugio to do haircuts... and ended up doing haircuts ALL day long! It was awesome. And a great way to practise my spanish. Yes, my spanish that doesn't exist. That's the one.

I tried a few new Paraguayan things today to add to my list: chipa, a bread made from mandioca flour and filled with cheese, sopa Paraguaya, a sort of cornbread, and Guarana Fanta, Paraguay's answer to root beer. I've also tried the essential empanadas, dulce de leche, mandioca, and just had a cup of hot cocido( pretty sure i said that wrong: the other day i said i really liked naps instead of this hot cocido drink. i also used the word for horse instead of the word for hair). Riki and I finished off tonight with the epic Paraguayan experience of watching The Big Bang Theory (an american sitcom. this was a joke.)

now my little brain is ready to wilt, so i will talk to you later!
buenes noches and schlope schon(?)

-becki