I have SO much to share, but for now, I just want you to know that I have just gotten home safely. We were 53 hours in transit, this time...instead of the 21 hours it was supposed to take. Whew. This was one of the most amazing months of my life. Now, I need to go rest. More soon! [View Full Entry]

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Hi! I actually got a computer today during our short school break, so I get to update all of you. This week, we have classes for 4 hours a day (all in Spanish) and up to 3 hours of homework a night. Can you believe it, my students? Yestday I had a test, and I have one again on Monday. Then next week we have 2 oral final exams and 2 written final exams. I have been able to have entire conversations with locals--ordering food, buying things, explaining things to the doctor, etc., which is incredibly exciting! This past Sunday, when [View Full Entry]

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Downtown Asuncion is a fairly miraculous place. It is the capital city of the country, and the one major, major city of the country. Thus, it has the elements of being both the cultural capital (like a New York or San Francisco) and the political capitol (like Washington D.C.). Walking downtown, this is what I saw on one corner: on one side, one of the hippest eateries in Paraguay, the Lido Bar. They serve delicious empanadas and other local specialities. On the other side of the street is the Panteon de los Heroes, which is the Hall of the Heroes--kind of [View Full Entry]

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IKEA Run! Betsy K. Our mission: to finish our home decorating. Our test: to see if my long-term illness could withstand a mini-roadtrip, to make sure that I'd be ready for Paraguay. We managed fairly well on both counts when we drove the 500 miles each way to IKEA Minneapolis (at a 7 hour drive each way, the closest IKEA to Lawrence, KS). Yes, I did jokingly sing a reinterpreted version of the "500 Miles" song (by The Proclaimers) with lyrics about Sweden and particleboard. Good times, good times. We also played the Lice [View Full Entry]

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Untitled Betsy K.This is a test post. If you get this--hello family, friends, colleagues, and students! I have recently created an online travel journal to write about my South America trip this summer, as well as other future travels. I have already posted a couple entries explaining my plans for this summer. If you scroll down my webpage, you will see them! If you do not wish to be on the list, feel free to "unsubscribe" at any time. Please do it at the website instead of marking the message as spam. You also can [View Full Entry]

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This morning, I received my flight itinerary for my trip to Asuncion! I had checked travel sites to get a basic idea of how many miles and hours I'd be traveling. I had gotten myself used to the idea of my travel taking the better part of a day, and it looked like I'd have 3 legs to my trip (KC to Atlanta/Houston, there to Sao Paulo/Buenos Aires, there to Asuncion). Imagine my surprise, then, when I saw my itinerary this morning! It will take me 5 flights and 23 hours (just from nose up to wheels down, not including ground [View Full Entry]

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