I never thought that artistic rollerskating was something I would find on this voyage to South America. It’s so retro! And cool, modern and just awesome. At a local athletic/tennis club, I saw a flyer offering rollerskating lessons. I don’t think I even knew the word for it – patinaje – but somehow decided to…
Cautionary Tales
Is Asunción a safe place? Yes and no. We live in one of the nicest neighborhoods near a city park, national bank, two swanky malls, and private schools. In general, I feel safe. That being said, I think something could happen anytime. In this tranquilo town, things do happen. Our house and almost every other…
Christmas In Panamá
Panamá is easy, friendly and beautiful in its diversity of beaches, mountains, city life, both historical and modern. It feels Latin, Caribbean, and a lot closer to North America. I am spending my first Christmas outside of the US! It was an easy flight from Asunción to Panama City – less than six hours direct which…
Multa or Coima?
What is a multa? A multa is a fine. But what is a coima? A coima is a bribe. Now, I’ve had experience with both and still don’t understand the subtle difference. Take for example when my entire family overstayed our tourist visa, not fault of our own. My wife and her aunt were…
Summer Southern Christmas
School ended in mid December and students don’t return until mid February! Students will continue in their same grade and with the same teachers, but only because we’re at an international American school. The local schools ended at the beginning of December and don’t start until the beginning of March, which is a new academic…
Ñanduti
Ñanduti – The Paraguayan craft, a mix of embroidery and weaving, is beautiful, prolific in tourist shops, and mesmerizing in its mandala-like quality of circular patterns, bright colors, and detailed handiwork. Ñanduti means spider weaving in Guaraní. Over the past year, I’ve noticed the small, circular earrings and appliques, as well as the tablecloths, doilies,…
Buenos Días, Buenos Aires
It took less than two hours to fly to Buenos Aires from Asunción but seems centuries apart. Buenos Aires is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been. The architecture, the public spaces, the people, the food, the art, all of it was quite sophisticated and just beautiful. And modern. We met my…
Special Fees
Paraguay is known as a very corrupt place, I’m learning. Bribes are used all the time. Several times I’ve paid a fee, thinking it’s part of official government business, then realized later it’s a bribe for a service to expedite or go around. These include getting my driver’s license, getting fingerprints to be a permanent…
Address?
Addresses and location are hard to get a handle on in Asuncion. The city does not have standard addresses. For example, when I give my street address for a taxi it’s always Genaro Romero, casi Osvaldo Escobar, cerca de Plaza Nanawa, al lado de la pizzeria.We received a bill for the former tenant, and the address is totally…
Portland to Paraguay 