Welcome to Paraguay! The tropical heat smashes you in the face right of the plane and for a Dutch guy this type of weather takes a little while getting used to. The taxi driver assures me this weather is normal and every day is like this. The first impression of Paraguay reminds me of South-East Asia. Good airport, but once you get out it’s a mayhem of small guys offering their service. Don’t take any services on a verbal contract, just walk to a desk, says the mighty guide book. Sounds like a good idea. Taxi desk says it’s gonna cost 100,000 guarani’s to get to the hostel downtown. Holy smokes, that’s 20 dead presidents! On the other hand, it’s a 20 click drive. I’ll take it. Best conversation in spanish till date with the driver. We chat about everything, he tells about the history of the country and climate details. The earth is red in Paraguay, the trees are always green and the sky is always blue. The country has been in a few wars and the last war is callled the Triple Alliance War. Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay fought together in a battle against then mighty Paraguay to conquer land and weaken their strong neighbour. The three allies, funded by the United Kingdom, almost killed every male in Paraguay, forcing the younger generation into child labour and causing a 7-1 female-male balance in the population. The taxi driver assures me in firm, not to be misunderstood words and body language that Paraguayan females possess the greatest physique in the entire continent. I instantly believe him for as on every street and on every corner the most gorgeous women can be found. Love this place already. No wonder the other countries want a piece…
I’m staying in the only genuine backpacker hostel in the whole country. Rest of the places are more expensive bed and breakfasts or real expensive hotels that cost more than 100 DP’s a night. That’s probably the reason why most guidebooks say Paraguay is expensive. The truth? It’s not. Big bottle of beer in a fancy pub for one euro, all-you-can-carry-fruits-and-vegetables for 2, souvenir t-shirt from the same fancy bar 3 euro’s and a bag of handrolled Paraguayan cigars for… 16 cents. Yes. Indeed very expensive.
From most people I heard stories about Paraguay and especially Asunción being unsafe and dangerous. Well, together with my French friend Guillaume, whose travelling South America by bike (http://mode-nomade.over-blog.com), we took all late evening walk for an Asunción by Night photo shoot. Never felt safer in any capital in the world. There’s police officers everywhere and all people are friendly and very helpful. Expect some pictures to be posted here soon!
Yesterday the friendly and beautiful daughter of the hostess who runs the hostel took us out for drinks in Bar Brittania and told us that the Black Cat Hostel we’re staying at is the first backpacker hostel in the whole of Paraguay and was only in business for two months! They were desperately seeking someone who could build a website for them to attract more visitors to the hostel. Hey, I can do that! So, after some negotiations we agreed that I will be building a website for the first hostel in Paraguay! Awesome!
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