Asuncion Paraguay
Well because of the problems at the border we were going to miss this place out - it was definately an experience.
It is a city of contrasts and although there is a lot of poverty in the city which hits you straight away, there are also a lot of luxurious colonial buildings and a modern conference centre.
The hotel was great and it was fantastic to be able to get some washing done after so many camping stops.
We also had a nice meal and a cracking night out - it was a good night to bond as a group as nearly everyone came out and got hammered. The club we ended up in was a bit dodgy - I wore my Sunderland top which is the same colours as the Paraguay top so everyone was asking me questions about it.
There isn´t a great deal to see in the city and we strayed into a shanty town and I must admit although we were 3 blokes I still felt uncomfortable especially as my two colleagues had decided to wear Argentina tops for the day (think Sunderland / Newcastle rivalry times 10 with guns) - so after lots of strange looks and being shouted at we managed to slip away. There was also shed loads of couterfit goods and you get pestered all the time - looky looky man style.
I bought a Paraguay top.
The other night in Paraguay was spoiled a bit as one of the girls had her Camera snatched by a kid on a bike. I didn´t see it happen but was able to help explain to the Police what had happened but it took ages.
Also whilst in Paraguay we visited some Jesuite ruins. These were missionaries who came from Europe to minister to the Guarani indians. The indians were nomadic but in the Jesuite missions they were able to set up communities with Schools, hospitals etc. Unfortunately both the Spanish and Portugues settlers felt threatened by the growing populations of these missions and would attack them. Eventualy the Jesuites were driven out and the Churches and buildings were ransacked. Here´s a photo of the ruins.
I got roped in to help translate as the guide we had couldn´t speak English - well as you can imagine Jesuit ministries and indian settlements are one of my specialist subjects!!
We left Paraguay bright and early for two days on the road to get back into Argentina and to Salta. We camped next to a service station but what looked like big dead beetles by day became flying Cockroaches at night - the toilets (which were rank to start with) got filled by these things - I think we were all pleased to get back on the road. I was not pleased to discover however that whilst kicking sand at the cockroaches I was being bitten by Sand Fleas leaving my feet and legs covered in bites which have swelled up and itch.
Anyway after negotiating the delightful border stops we have grown to love and 12 hours driving we arrived at Salta in Argentina.
I should add that I have perfected the art of sleeping and reading on the bus!! I can now sleep at will and have just finished my first book Angels and Demons.
I have also learnt a card game Hearts - which I´m pretty sure Kelly, Kelly and Loiue spent a whole night trying to teach me!!
I´ll tell you a bit about Salta and the Argentinian Steaks and wine in the next entry.
It is a city of contrasts and although there is a lot of poverty in the city which hits you straight away, there are also a lot of luxurious colonial buildings and a modern conference centre.
The hotel was great and it was fantastic to be able to get some washing done after so many camping stops.
We also had a nice meal and a cracking night out - it was a good night to bond as a group as nearly everyone came out and got hammered. The club we ended up in was a bit dodgy - I wore my Sunderland top which is the same colours as the Paraguay top so everyone was asking me questions about it.
There isn´t a great deal to see in the city and we strayed into a shanty town and I must admit although we were 3 blokes I still felt uncomfortable especially as my two colleagues had decided to wear Argentina tops for the day (think Sunderland / Newcastle rivalry times 10 with guns) - so after lots of strange looks and being shouted at we managed to slip away. There was also shed loads of couterfit goods and you get pestered all the time - looky looky man style.
I bought a Paraguay top.
The other night in Paraguay was spoiled a bit as one of the girls had her Camera snatched by a kid on a bike. I didn´t see it happen but was able to help explain to the Police what had happened but it took ages.
Also whilst in Paraguay we visited some Jesuite ruins. These were missionaries who came from Europe to minister to the Guarani indians. The indians were nomadic but in the Jesuite missions they were able to set up communities with Schools, hospitals etc. Unfortunately both the Spanish and Portugues settlers felt threatened by the growing populations of these missions and would attack them. Eventualy the Jesuites were driven out and the Churches and buildings were ransacked. Here´s a photo of the ruins.
I got roped in to help translate as the guide we had couldn´t speak English - well as you can imagine Jesuit ministries and indian settlements are one of my specialist subjects!!
We left Paraguay bright and early for two days on the road to get back into Argentina and to Salta. We camped next to a service station but what looked like big dead beetles by day became flying Cockroaches at night - the toilets (which were rank to start with) got filled by these things - I think we were all pleased to get back on the road. I was not pleased to discover however that whilst kicking sand at the cockroaches I was being bitten by Sand Fleas leaving my feet and legs covered in bites which have swelled up and itch.
Anyway after negotiating the delightful border stops we have grown to love and 12 hours driving we arrived at Salta in Argentina.
I should add that I have perfected the art of sleeping and reading on the bus!! I can now sleep at will and have just finished my first book Angels and Demons.
I have also learnt a card game Hearts - which I´m pretty sure Kelly, Kelly and Loiue spent a whole night trying to teach me!!
I´ll tell you a bit about Salta and the Argentinian Steaks and wine in the next entry.
posted by Phil at 9:39 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home