Okay, so for those of you who took at least a year of Spanish in high school, you probably know that the spanish word “guapo” means handsome or attractive. That is not the case here. In Paraguay, “guapo” means hardworking, and being called guapo is among highest form of flattery to Paraguayans. So obviously, it is really important to Peace Corps Volunteers that Paraguayans think of us as being guapo. I had a big realization this week that I spend most of my time thinking, okay how can I look guapa today? Should’t it be easy to be seen as hardworking? Well… not exactly….
Let’s jump back to America for a second. Picture someone who is hardworking. What do they do? They probably spend lots of time studying for their exams, doing their homework and going to class, or maybe they work a 9-5 job and sit at their desk all day sending out emails and preparing presentations and whatever else people do in an office all day, or even maybe you’re picturing an athlete who is constantly working out between practices, eating healthy, and dedicated to their sport.
Okay, now back to Paraguay. What are some things I’ve been called guapa for? Sweeping my porch, raking up the leaves (which includes pushing around the dirt), finishing all the food on my plate, walking to the dispensa, walking to the school (actually walking anywhere), watering my plants, baking banana bread (actually cooking any type of food), doing my laundry, riding my bike, going for a run, leaving my house….
So there’s a bit of a difference. I can spend all day working on reports for the Peace Corps, prepping for a charla, and planning lessons for a school, where I see myself being super productive and super hardworking, but nobody here recognizes that as being “guapo.”
It’s hard to find a balance between being paraguayan “guapo” and actually feeling like you worked hard that day. So what do I do? I’m just trying to embrace my inner-Paraguayan self and embody the hilarious definition of Paraguayan guapo. Here’s how I do it:
I’ll get out of bed and walk to my health post to see if my nurse is there. If she’s not, oh well, everyone saw me wake up and walk there, so they think I’m super guapa! After all that “hard work” I did, I can return to my house and work on whatever I actually need to get done, whether its a report for Peace Corps or planning for a project. Then, after a couple hours, it’s time to be guapa again! I’ll head outside and rake up some leaves in front of my house. Que guapa!! For lunch, I’ll go to my host families house and eat ALL my food! QUE GUAPA!!! All the “hard work” I’m doing is tiring, so I’ll take a siesta during the siesta hours or sit in the shade and terere with my neighbors. Maybe I’ll have some type of meeting that afternoon/evening where I can go to, if not I’ll go on a run or practice some yoga. QQUEEEEE GUAPPAAAA!!!! (Running is the most guapa because literally everyone sees you doing it. People who you pass will literally shout, “que guapa!” at you when you run by them.) Once it gets dark, there’s no more being guapo, and I can retreat to my house (or my host families house) and relax….and start planning how I’m going to be guapa for the following day!
So although being “guapo” isn’t technically in the Peace Corps Paraguay job description, it’s pretty much my job right now. Trying to get my community to see me as a hardworking person, and also trying to do things that actually make me feel satisfied isn’t always easy, but I’m making it work…for now.
As always, more updates on things coming soon, and you’ll see if I can keep up with being guapa- by the Paraguayan definition!
Okay, now back to Paraguay. What are some things I’ve been called guapa for? Sweeping my porch, raking up the leaves (which includes pushing around the dirt), finishing all the food on my plate, walking to the dispensa, walking to the school (actually walking anywhere), watering my plants, baking banana bread (actually cooking any type of food), doing my laundry, riding my bike, going for a run, leaving my house….
So there’s a bit of a difference. I can spend all day working on reports for the Peace Corps, prepping for a charla, and planning lessons for a school, where I see myself being super productive and super hardworking, but nobody here recognizes that as being “guapo.”
It’s hard to find a balance between being paraguayan “guapo” and actually feeling like you worked hard that day. So what do I do? I’m just trying to embrace my inner-Paraguayan self and embody the hilarious definition of Paraguayan guapo. Here’s how I do it:
I’ll get out of bed and walk to my health post to see if my nurse is there. If she’s not, oh well, everyone saw me wake up and walk there, so they think I’m super guapa! After all that “hard work” I did, I can return to my house and work on whatever I actually need to get done, whether its a report for Peace Corps or planning for a project. Then, after a couple hours, it’s time to be guapa again! I’ll head outside and rake up some leaves in front of my house. Que guapa!! For lunch, I’ll go to my host families house and eat ALL my food! QUE GUAPA!!! All the “hard work” I’m doing is tiring, so I’ll take a siesta during the siesta hours or sit in the shade and terere with my neighbors. Maybe I’ll have some type of meeting that afternoon/evening where I can go to, if not I’ll go on a run or practice some yoga. QQUEEEEE GUAPPAAAA!!!! (Running is the most guapa because literally everyone sees you doing it. People who you pass will literally shout, “que guapa!” at you when you run by them.) Once it gets dark, there’s no more being guapo, and I can retreat to my house (or my host families house) and relax….and start planning how I’m going to be guapa for the following day!
So although being “guapo” isn’t technically in the Peace Corps Paraguay job description, it’s pretty much my job right now. Trying to get my community to see me as a hardworking person, and also trying to do things that actually make me feel satisfied isn’t always easy, but I’m making it work…for now.
As always, more updates on things coming soon, and you’ll see if I can keep up with being guapa- by the Paraguayan definition!