Kittens Inspired by Kittens

We are taking a break from the regularly scheduled programming of the Matney family adventure in Paraguay to bring you lots of pictures of KITTENS! 

My cat had been knocked up for little over a month when I went away for the weekend. My host sister who normally takes care of her while Im gone told me she would call if anything happened. When I got home after being away my cat greeted me at the door and she look distinctively less pregnant. I looked around for little cat babies and could not find any, talked to my host sister and she didn't know anything either, so I decided I must be going crazy. So I went about my day, hung out with my neighbors and played some volleyball. When I got back, some clothes had been knocked out of my 'closet' an armoire type thing. I went over to put them back and what do I find but two baby kittens nestled among my clothes. So I am now an abuela!

Feeding time!

Look at those adorable little paws.

They fit in the palm of my hand.

Bro and Sis cuddling.

One day it was super hot so I put this personal fan next to them to help keep them cool and she just climbed right on top of it .... "But its just soooo hot." 

This picture wouldn't rotate, but too cute not to share.

Just cuddling with mom. 

Hopefully, I will be able to eventually find them good families. Even though they are adorable 3 cats is just too much!

The Matney Family in Paraguay!

After months of planning. 6 bags (mostly full of stuff for me) and a 19 hour layover in Panama the Matney family finally made it to Paraguay!

After spending a night in Asuncion, we set off on 3.5 hour bus ride to my site, Olegario! We spent two days and two nights there, which was perfect; considering our accommodations were my tiny one room house with my parents sleeping in my bed and Rachel and I sleeping on a borrowed mattress on the floor. 

180 degree photo of my house

Most of the time was spent getting to know my neighbors and host families and eating some traditional Paraguayan foods! 

Reading some of the books in Spanish they brought with Alex and Elena

Spending a Sunday afternoon with  my neighbors

Afternoon walk!

They even got to meet my cat! I had to check Rachel's bags before we left to make sure she wasn't trying to smuggle her back to America.

Rachel cuddling with "Fulana" or better known as Kitty or Gatito

Next stop: Argentina! Iguazu Falls.

Summer fun.

There is a joke in Paraguay .... There are 9 months of summer and 3 months of hell, and I am happy to say that I just made it through my first full 3 months of hell aka Paraguayan summer. Let me tell you, it was HOT. I've never experienced that kind of heat before. Therefore lots of my free time was spent sitting in the shade drinking t-ray ... not blogging. So I thought I'd give you an update on things I did this summer.

First I went to a Paraguayan wedding! My host brother was the one getting married. It was actually a super nice wedding and we danced all night until about 5am. It was a ton of fun.

Me and some of my host family before the ceremony

Bride and Groom after the Ceremony

At the reception!

 I also went down to Encarnacion, a city in the south of Paraguay, that has the biggest Carnaval celebration in the country. One of my fellow volunteers Yihana was actually dancing in the parade! It was so much fun, Encarnacion is a great city, if feels very different than the rest of Paraguay.

Me and Yihana before the parade!

My neighbor kids have been bugging me for months to make pizza for them so one day when I had all the ingredients I finally did. We made the dough from scratch, and I even splurged and bought pepperoni at the grocery store! It was delicious.

Mariana and Me with the finished product

Elena chowing down.

Fatima 

Finally last week I was given (without really being asked) a cat. I hadn't really planned on having a pet here, but she is just so darn cute I can't give her up now. I haven't thought of a name yet, ideas are welcome.