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 like the Arlington Cemetary, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument rolled in one. There are many ceremonial caskets of leaders and generals along with many statues, plaques, and a shrine. Armed soldiers standd outside at attention, 24
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