A different country!

by Leonardo Maluf (Brazil)

I didn't expect to find Paraguay

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It was dark outside the cab. I passed by many streets, and the darkness was still there, almost staring me. That was the opposite seen when some hours before, my bus crossed the border in Ciudad del Este where many neon shinned inviting to buy something at one of their malls. Those lights astonished me because I expected that in Las Vegas, not in Paraguay! My excitement was enormous! Visit a new country and see their culture invariably make me feel excited. But also fear accompanied me due to the way many Brazilians described Paraguay as a country of gangs and fake products. But was it accurate? After all these happened an awesome four star hotel that cost me fifty dollars daily was waiting for me, a good deal if compared to same standard hotels in Brazil before current Brazilian currency crisis. It was early night, then I walked a few steps to Calle Palma where the night is lively. Tired after a twenty-five hours bus ride from São Paulo, I just ate a delicious Pira caldo (fish soup) and went back to hotel. On the following day the Calle Palma was busy as always with lots of stores, restaurants and an incredible nightlife. This street makes Asuncion vibrates! But something was different. While walking there, I fastly made a couple of Paraguayan friends who suggested me to visit the railway museum (Museo del Ferrocarril) and Casa de Independencia (Independence House - where they explain about Paraguay bloody history). Later I encountered two students from a local university guiding their Chilean and Mexican friends; I joined them and they presented me where their college is, a historical downtown building constructed by Mariscal Lopez, a 19th Century president. They informed us that Asunción downtown concentrates a considerable number of colleges. Furthermore, we visited Cabildo, their old Congress building where you can see nowadays a museum dedicated to Paraguay's culture, art and history. Beside all the attractions already mentioned Asunción has more interesting sites to visit in downtown area, like Panteon (a building to honor their heroes) , Palacio de los Lopez (where the president lives) and its nearby Costanera (a large avenue close to river) a special place where anyone can drink Terere (Paraguayan cold mate) with the locals while talking about many subjects. Everyone goes there to meet friends specially on Sundays' afternoon. Outside downtown area we find Paseo Carmelitas with all its night parties and Aviadores del Chaco. The last one is an important avenue where are located many incredibly modern shopping malls, casinos, some neon lights, fancy flats and hotels that makes us feel in Miami, Las Vegas or New York. To go there I took a bus at Calle Oliva, two blocks from Calle Palma. Buses are the best ride to visit cheaply Asuncion. While going on this ride, a local lawyer told me about his passion for Brazil. Unfortunately, Brazilians rarely say the same about Paraguay. They prefer make jokes of them and their businesses, maybe this is the Brazilian way to describe a passion, who knows? But as I said Paraguay is different! Ultimately, Paraguay seems more than only a hospitable country, but a country open to business and ready to overcome any struggle! They maintain a fraternal spirit rarely seen, and this is the most significant reason why anyone must visit them as soon as possible.