Time Change [a little late]

One of the things I find confusing about living in the southern hemisphere is keeping track of the time difference between here and home. I had it figured out for a while - it was a three hour time difference between here and Austin. Then, Austin went forward and we were only two hours apart. A few weeks late Asuncion fell back and then we were only one hour apart. Over the span of a month I had a three, two, and one hour difference in times. Huh? Some of this is because Asuncion and the US didn't change their clocks at the same time. I'm used to time changes being just a few days apart, figuring it was some archaic reason that didn't have every country changing their time the same day. (Of course this only holds up when I don't think about that fact that there are some states and countries that never change their clocks). This year it seemed a bit different. I couldn't help but realize that the government of a country plays a definite roll in this.


Yes, it seems that the president decided to delay moving the clocks back in order to save daylight and cut down on electricity needs in the country, due to the energy crisis. The energy crisis? There is one of those here? I mean, I remember one day when all of the electricity across the entire city went out - but that only happened once that I can recall. I haven't really seen a crisis, at least not like the rolling blackouts that are common in other places. So I had to do a bit of research to find out what was going on.

It turns out that originally Paraguay was due to change time on March 14th. Due to problems with energy transmission it was pushed back to April 11th. And yes, this was official – as declared by presidential decree 3958. It doesn’t seem that the problem which lead to this change is the available energy, more that the mechanics which transport the energy are old and breaking down. In fact, from what I’ve been able to understand Paraguay doesn’t particularly worry about available energy. After all 90% of its power is supplied by Itaipu Dam, the hydroelectric dam on the Parana River between Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina.

A different kind of run

As I bent down to tie my shoe and then collected my timing chip it started to sink in that this was going to be a different kind of run. Everyone around me was wearing the black tank of the race, most of them paired with dark shorts - all designed to have them blend in more. Yes, blend in - because this is not an ordinary race, it's the Asuncion Night Run. As I crack my glow stick to make it shine and wrap it around my wrist, I see that I can get sprayed by Off - probably a good idea as we're running around the botanical garden. Oh - and there I can get a longer glow stick - fun! Perhaps it will work as an arm band as I'm not sure I can handle having it flap around my neck.

As the countdown gets close to the start I test my headlamp (part of our entrance package) and make sure it is well positioned on my forehead (although it turns out it doesn't stay up very well when you're sweating and running). 5 -4-3-2-1...the runners count down to the clock and then a flurry of fireworks explode overhead signaling the start of the race. And we're off. Its packed pretty tightly to begin with, but I'm surprised at how quickly the runners get stretched out. And by just how necessary the headlamp is for lighting a circle of ground ahead of me so I can jump over tree roots and avoid the holes. When I feel confident enough to look up briefly its an eerie sight to see a long line of bobbing lights in the dark. If I didn't know better I might suspect a gathering of extraterrestrials in the woods. Instead I turn my head down again and focus on a patch of ground just a few steps ahead catching a glimpse of a couple of other circles of light ahead of me and think about what an experience this has turned out to be. A much more solitary, glowing experience than I ever expected.

[Traveling Tale] Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

You could be forgiven being surprised when I tell you I've actually spent the last week in Uruguay. It just seems that the only time I actually have to write about a vacation is when I'm on another one. The week of Semana Santa, the holy week before Easter, sees me with a week vacation from school. And of course, a week off means another opportunity to travel.

This time I decided to focus on two cities/towns - two days in Montevideo (which has been fairly uninspiring so you probably won't hear anything else about it) and the rest of the time in Colonia del Sacramento. A UNESCO world heritage site set along the banks of the Rio Plata, across from Buenos Aires, about all I knew before arriving was that it was an old colonial town. A part of me worried that it would be similar to Cartegena but except for sections of overflowing flowers that ended up not being true at all. Think cobblestone streets, an area of about six square blocks, every street running down to the white balustrade around the water. An old lighthouse, still functioning, where it only requires 118 stairs to get to the top. The oldest church in Uruguay (1680) surprisingly simple sitting next to a small square. Colorful sunsets over the water and harbor. Old stone buildings set next to taller tile and stucco houses. A wooden, golden spiral sculpture that called to my math teacher soul. Combine all that together with some pleasant green spaces and a population that doesn't hassle and you get a very pleasant place to unwind and relax for a few days.

[Traveling Tale]Cartegena, Colombia

You drive in with a strong surf pounding the rocks on your right and the old walls of the city rising on your left. Within moments I'm sure this is going to be a lovely place to explore. We got dropped off at Lucy's, a woman who runs a B&B out of her home without any advertising, accepting guests only on recommendation from previous guests. Instant enchantment when we walk through the heavy wooden doors. Behind them lies a flower filled courtyard complete with fish pond, turtles and parakeets. The doors to the rooms opening in from there. As soon as we can drop our stuff and finish our lemonade we are itching to leave and explore. Where to start? At the fort outside the walls jutting above the city? Along the top of the old walls beside the ocean? Past the convention center with its giant statues of Pegasus? The streets of the old city are to much of a draw and its there we spend most of our time wandering. Who wouldn't be captivated by the brightly colored houses, the tumbling flowers which cascade over balconies and make the streets seem enclosed? Or the fancy doorknockers and smooth lines of the taller buildings. Arched gates lead out of the old city but we're content to roam past churches, small squares and the clock tower. Really, who wouldn't be enchanted by Cartegena?