FIRST SUNDAY IN THE APARTMENT

Asuncion from my Balcony

Thank You, Jesus for a good place to live and safety in a strange land. I appreciate all the prayers from each of you for a place to live and my safety. It sure is nice to have my personal space, a place to cook, and able to do my own laundry.  It would be even better if I could have family here. 
I have an unfurnished two bedroom apartment on the fifth floor of a new building.  Memories of college flooded back when I first moved in.  How to make furniture out of boxes, etc... 
It's getting better. I have a stove, fridge, washer, microwave, bed, small dining table and chairs now.  It was tough before I got the table and chairs.  The bed didn't make a good couch.
The internet is better than what we have at home.  
The view from my balcony is nice.  It overlooks the tile roofs of the neighbors and you can see the skyline of the city a couple of miles away.
The city is relatively safe as long as you stay away from the river and away from the outlying areas of town. We get around by taxi and they are not very expensive. It costs 15,000 Guarani ($3.35) to get to work with no traffic.  The center of downtown costs about $5. I usually share taxis with a coworker.  He doesn't speak Spanish and we usually go out together. 
Most Paraguayans are friendly and many of the younger people speak English.  I met a man yesterday who was an exchange student in Atlanta when he was a senior in high school.  He said it changed his whole life.
Most people speak Guarani and Spanish.  I have to ask them to slow down when speaking Spanish because the Guarani accent is rapid fire and somewhat slurred. 
Apparently, my Spanish accent is fairly decent and people don't know that I'm an American from the States.  One fellow asked me if I was from Germany.  Many Germans and a few Italians moved here after World War II.

The food is good. It is almost always fresh. Beef, chicken, and pork are less expensive than the States.  They like tortillas, corn, onions, bell pepper, regular foods.  The breads and pastries are similar to Mexico, but, they do have whole wheat products also.
They like cafe con leche (expresso with milk), but, I haven't seen anything resembling Community Dark Roast or Starbucks coffee.  I brought some ground coffee with me and about four pounds of Starbucks French Roast whole bean coffee.  I found one 220V coffee grinder that I can order.  They don't do whole bean coffee here and there's not a Starbucks. There are coffee shops in the malls and on the street. 
There are some missionaries that I contacted here, but, they are located in Lambare which is a $75 round trip by taxi on Sundays. We are highly discouraged from taking the buses and I'm looking for a less expensive way to get there.
Lord willing, this stay in Asunción will be a good adventure. I'll keep you posted.

FIRST DAYS IN ASUNCION

June 20, 2013

Paraguay is starting the winter months now. It rains lightly most days and, occasionally, they have torrential rains that try to flood the streets. For the time being, the temperatures are between 50 and 65 degrees F. It should get down to 32 degrees before the winter is out. Temps are similar to Orlando, FL. 

The people are kind, en Español se dicen "amables".  There is a middle class here, but for the most part, there isn't much opportunity. I've been in the nicer parts of the city, but, you can tell that there is poverty around. There is a fair amount of German, Italian, and US influence. 

The markets have local goods and produce with lower prices than the grocery stores. However, the grocery stores have a better selection and all the groceries in one place. Beef and vegetable cost about 60% of the US costs and they don't have real expensive cuts like we do.  If you want bleach to wash your clothes, the cost is 2.5 time the US cost.....it's imported. Coke products cost about twice as much as at home, but local drinks cost the same. 

I spoke with the lady that cleans my room at the hotel. She makes the minimum salary of $400/month. You cannot buy a house with that kind of money. She has four sons that are 17-23 years old. When the youngest was 9, she went alone to Spain and worked for four years. She bought her house when she returned. Her transportation costs are &1 each day and she works 6-7 days a week. If the hotel is not crowded, she can get every other Sundayoff. 

My Spanish is improving. If I'm around someone that speaks English, it is more difficult to switch and speak Spanish. However, my Spanish is getting much better.

Prayers to find a good place to live, for safety, and for all to go well are appreciated. I miss the family, but, Lord willing, in a few months, I'll see them.