Semana Santa

    On the week of April 2 to April 8, we celebrated Semana Santa. Holy Week is a christian holiday celebrated the week before Easter and people celebrate by traveling and visiting family. In Paraguay, it's tradition to make chipa on Wednesday and eat asado on Thursday before Good Friday.

On Wednesday April 5, my parents, our dog Kiwi, and I drove from Lambaré to Primer de Marzo. On our way we picked up one of my mom's sisters. Kiwi was very excited and curious throughout the trip; walking around peoples' laps and doing routine checks on every part of the car. A bit later, we stopped to get some chipa and cocido. Chipa is a traditional Paraguayan baked good made of flour, corn flour, Paraguayan cheese, eggs, butter, milk, and anise. Cocido is a hot drink of yerba and milk.

    We arrived at my grandmother's house late at night and quickly went to bed. The house is old fashioned; made of brick and clay, and one story with 4 rooms and a separate kitchen. There are trees, grass, and bushes surrounding the house, and a space in the back where the chickens live. Next to the house is the house of one of my mom's brothers. Their house is of the same style, but they also have a barn for cows and a horse. My host mom is the youngest of 10, so we had a full house and had to put tables together for meals.

    I was the only kid at the house, so I spent the week walking around, exploring, taking photos, sitting with my aunts, and playing with the dogs. My grandmother only spoke Guaraní so I couldn't participate in many conversations, but I tried to be present with the family and show that I was enjoying my stay. My mom told me stories about her family and how this was her childhood home, and showed me trees with edible berries.

    The entire time I felt very nostalgic; it all made me think of the house in Phoenix. Each day was calm and I felt all my stress melt away as I sat on the patio with music playing while my aunts and uncles cooked and talked.

    My aunts had already made chipa on Wednesday, before we arrived at the house, but we made more on Saturday. They mixed the dough by hand, adding the butter, flour, corn flour, eggs, anise, and salt. We then shaped the dough and placed them on leaves to rest before putting them in the large stone oven. They cooked quickly and were delicious! Later that day, we went into town to watch a fútbol game. I wasn't paying too much attention, but our team won.

    We drove home on Sunday. Kiwi had gotten very dirty and went to get cleaned the next day. I had a lot of fun and I hope I never forget the warmth I felt in this family.

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Grandma's House

                                                          

Some berries from a tree down the road. They tasted sweet and tart.

    

Making chipa

    

                            

Fútbol game in town