It's Official!

We may now call ourselves volunteers, being that we were sworn in yesterday at the ambassador's residence inside the embassy in Asuncion. And let me tell you, it was kind of strange.
So, we had a small, intimate ceremony at the actual house and lawn of the ambassador to Paraguay. Of course the house and grounds are lush and beautiful and well tended, as you may be thinking in your head. The actual swearing-in part was pretty short. There was a speech from the Country Director of PC, the Associate PC Director, and then the Ambassador spoke and also told us what kind of work the embassy is currently doing in the country. Then we read our oaths and had a small reception with food and refreshements and cake.
And then we took photos. The ambassador has a bunch of animals and one of his employees went and got the embassy lambs out for a photo op. So, here's this guy standing next to the ambassador with the lamb up on his hind legs, smiling.

(Posted is a photo of Chris and I at the swearing-in by the Christmas tree on the patio. Also, the group above is my aggie group with my trainer, Tim, in the middle back row with glasses and dark, curly hair. The stunning sunset photo was taken at the top of the weirdest, creepiest hotel I've ever been to in my life!!!)

After swearing in, we killed some time and went to the hotel where the party for us and the group that is done with their service was held. It was at this essentially abandoned hotel that was supposed to be the place to be seen back in the like, the 80's. It was CREEPY! Our first room was huge but it had rat droppings in the sink, no sheets on the bed, mold on the carpet and walls, and the light fixture was filled with yellow water, so we switched rooms. The hotel, I believe, was built under the commission of the former dictator, Stroessner, to entertain friends and dignitaries. It's situated on the river, and is this giant dilapidated wreck now. The main party area was held outside on the dance floor, next to this huge empty pool, so that was kind of weird. They managed to fill up the wading pool for us, so at least we could cool off. All in all, it was a great time and Chris and I definitely closed the party down, and had an awesome time dancing. Still, it was kind of weird to have security from the Peace Corps have to watch us while the whole thing was going down. I'm sure they think Americans are nuts. Especially because the them of the party was "superhero", but mostly just turned into a pool party with everyone in their bathing suits. I was eaten alive by some the fattest mosquitoes I have ever seen.

So anyway, we need to get going for dinner right now. I will write more tomorrow and try to post more photos too. We miss everyone, but we honestly don't miss the hustle and bustle of having to shop for Christmas presents for everyone!

Ciao!

~Marissa & Chris