4 months in Asuncion, Paraguay

This is a very third-world, destitute country, with poverty and disease rampant. For a North European or Canadian, the winter months (December to March) are their summer, and you can bake quite happily in temperatures up to 40°C!

There was no problem finding good places to eat that are incredibly cheap. I can recommend Bolsi on Calle Estrella and San Roque on the corner of Ayala & Tacuary. The latter is very popular with the locals. For a good, cheap pizza while people-watching, sit out at Biggest on the corner of 14 de Agosto and Calle Estrella. Paraguay's main industry appears to be smuggling, and copies of DVDs, CDs, and most electronic goods are available. Every other shop seems to sell mobile phones. One vendor from whom I bought some DVDs boasted to me that he could get me any film once it was showing at the cinema

The people here are incredibly friendly and helpful. Perhaps this is because there are very few tourists. This is a double-edged sword. The few tourists there have the place to themselves. There is one tourist office in Asuncion. However, although there were two counter staff members speaking some English, you really need some Spanish here. It became a joke for me that so many Paraguayans would say to me, "I/my brother/girlfriend speak some English," yet I was always having to converse with them in Spanish!!

Quick Tips:

All the shopping malls have cinemas. In my humble opinion, Shopping Villa Morra on Avda Mcal Lopez has the best programme for films in English. If you want to escape the heat in the afternoon, the cinemas are cheaper. There is also a day (Wednesday?) when prices are reduced.

Best Way To Get Around:

There is no railway service in Paraguay. However, like much of South America, both local and long-distance buses are incredibly cheap. Local buses (as of March 2005) cost 1,700 guaranis for any distance. That is around 18 pence in English pounds. The buses, called collectivos, are old, uncomfortable, and driven at a high speed, with much jolting over potholed roads. Nonetheless, once aboard and seated, they are entertaining. A variety of venders selling, fresh fruit, cold drinks, batteries, candy, and bread rolls are only some of the things on offer. Those with nothing to sell will be telling you that Jesus saves or sing of few verses of a song.

Taking the no. 30 collectivo to Luque or a bus to Aregua is well worth the ride.Luque is the place for jewellery particularly silver and Aregua for colourful pots, jars, and ornaments.The no. 30 will also take you to one of Asuncion's better shopping malls, Shopping Del Sol.

It is in an excellent location for buses to shopping malls, the main bus station, etc. It is just off the main street for easy access to all shops and tourist sites.

They offer comfortable rooms with their own bathroom and free Internet access. Stay more than a week and there is a special deal, plus you only pay for 6 nights for every 7 stayed. There is a good breakfast included in the price. There is a very, very helpful staff.

April 2007: I thought I would update this entry. I stayed again for just over three months in this hotel. It is now home away from home for me. Non of the standards of the hotel have dropped. The only thing that has dropped is the price. They charge me the same price per room and breakfast as in 2005 and 2006. Amazing value. The staff are genuinely nice people as opposed to "professionally" nice people!