Blogs from Paraguay, South America - page 8

I had finally managed to organize some couchsurfing again and after a 19 hour bus ride I arrived at Giulio´s apartment in the capital, Asunción. The bus ride from the bus terminal to his place already made clear that this country was not as rich and European as the other two I had visited before. This was more the South America I had imagined, not as rich and glam, and European! Here I really was the only blonde person walking through the streets. Giulio asked if I wanted to join him for his choir practice, I agreed as I thought it would be a good 'cultural' insight into what a young Paraguayan man does in his free time. I did really enjoy it, however, it went on for over two hours, but the end of which ... read more

Pizza and empanadas and ice cream, oh my! And yet, I've never seen as many skinny jeans in my life! I'd better be careful or I'm going to be una chica gorda when I return! Well, El Soberbio was a cute little town with not much besides farming and tourism. But unfortunately for us, the river is running high and therefore fills the ravine where the falls usually,...well...fall! So there WERE no waterfalls for us to see in El Soberbio. We did stay in a cute little hostel with a lovely balcony from which we watched the afternoon rain fall. Here"s what they might have looked like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNzsebGc3mw And then, it was off to Iguazu! The falls are visible from both up close in Argentina and more panoramically (?) from Brazil. We spent several days at ... read more

Hola Amigos! Finally! It’s been go, go, go, but at last I have a chance to update! First, let me take a moment to give a shout out to my sweat-sister, and you know who you are, Jessica Chait! This may be very hard for you all to believe (especially the salseros) but I have NEVER, EVER been as sweaty as I have been these first few days in Paraguay. I mean, 90 degrees, 200% humidity, crowded in to a bus that’s sitting completely still at a stoplight, literally dripping with sweat. O.M.G!!! Ok! Now that you’ve got that fabulous visual: Landed in Asunción, Paraguay (the capital) and spent several days there. Asunción is beautiful and friendly and so contrasty. There are shanty towns with homes made out of metal along the river, and then even ... read more

For those of you worried about what's happening in 'Donde esta Elisa?' - Bruno was murdered but made to look like a suicide, but Agent Rivas is onto the suspect, don't panic! Currently raining so that should cheer up those of you who hate it when I write about how hot it is! This is what I've learnt this week. Paraguayan knives are sharp...my thumb is now painful proof of that. Don't go out on a rainy day until the skies are blue...I went on a five minute journey to get my lunch today during a 'break' in the rain only for it to start again and convet my road into a river. Bad times. I'm still traumatised by rats...saw a dead one the other day and can still see it's face now, it's tormenting me ... read more

A few photos from Valentines Day - in the Sheraton Hotel darling, all very posh but much cheaper than last year when I splashed out on a flight from London to Paraguay! I don't like being overtaken on the pavement by a motorbike...it riles me to be honest. The water company does exist...which shocked me because there is now no explanation as to why the pipe outside my house is still broken after over a week of phone calls. Lifting heavy objects will affect your brain...Carmen and I managed to heave her wardrobe from one bedroom to the other only to stand it up upside down. It is now the right way round. Whisky and Ceviche is a winning combination...if you haven't tried it already I advise you do. Telenovelas vary drastically in quality...I mean take ... read more

One month to go-I have everything quite organized-biggest group ever as a leader. I am leaving early (on March 15th) for Buenos Aires and Uruguay-This is my first trip to South America-plan is to leave Vancouver on March 14th, then fly out on the 15th,arriving in Buenos Aires on March 16th. I will meet up with 2 other HFH participants in Buenos Aires. We then plan to take the ferry to Colonia in Uruguay and stay there for one night. After that we bus it to Montevideo for a one night stay -then off to Iguazu Falls and Asuncion. I am very ready for this trip (as of Feb 27th) One sad note -Casey the beagle is no longer with us as she got throat cancer and was put to sleep on Feb 19th. Friday March ... read more