Off to Paraguay! Apparently Americans need a visa to enter so we took the shady ‘I don’t understand how we can enter Paraguay through a bus and not be checked for passports’ bus. This time Lily came with us so no issues getting there or coming back. An easy 30 minute ride from where we were staying in Argentina. We crossed the bridge that split Brazil and Paraguay and it seemed like we went through a portal into another world. All around us are technology stores and slums. Here’s why…
In Paraguay, the black market is legal. There is no tax. Because of this many people buy what they need in Paraguay and then go into Brazil or Argentina with it. Argentina’s electronics are way over-priced and taxed to an unbelievable amount most people can’t afford. However in order to go into the country with it, it needs to look used and as if it wasn’t bought in Paraguay otherwise it’ll just be taxed to the same amount as if you bought it in Argentina. What many people are doing is buying dozens if not hundreds of electronics from xbox360’s, laptops, playstation3’s, etc and illegally bringing them into other countries to sell. For this to happen there are many underground passages that lead into Brazil. Another way is a boat that drops off most items on an island that’s owned by Paraguay and at night picked up over on the Brazil side. And another is at 6pm shifts change between security and during time 15 minute gap, everything is rushed over into Brazil. You’d think that perhaps they would stop this from happening but the reality is Paraguay lives off of this and perhaps if it wasn’t for this – the country could collapse. People are paid off in Brazil and Argentina so nothing will stop that either from them entering. It’s a big business.
So knowing this we did a bit of window shopping. The prices are amazing and I wish I had brought more money to buy a pair of headphones for myself. I could have borrowed money but considering I’m pretty low on money anyway that I would just hold myself back and not do it. I wish I had known sooner otherwise I would have asked family and friends if they needed anything. The only thing I bought was an extremely good bottle of wine for Grandma.
The city itself was a slum. Not very appealing at all. The hassling reminded me a lot of China and SE Asia. Kids about 10 years old hassling you to buy socks that even when you say no still won’t go away. Depressing really. Small outside vendor shops are all around. Jenn had almost bought a laptop but considering we didn’t know too much about the laptops and how rushed of a decision it was, she decided to wait till she got home. A few hours of walking around and in the dying heat we were ready to leave. Bus back to Argentina and hung out by the pool.
Many good memories were made and it wasn’t just the scenery, food, and crazy things that happened to us but the group, the people I was with made it all more memorable.
Jenn: Can’t believe we met in Sydney and now were taking a trip for a week in Misiones and Iguazu falls! Many good laughs with you. Hope we get to meet up again soon. “Teacher!” hehe.
Holly: You are one crazy person. I can’t recall ever meeting anyone so hyper active as you. Not a bad thing! Keep it going and making people laugh. LLLEVVELL SEVEEN! with queso and wine…
Kristy: You defiantly don’t give yourself enough credit on your Spanish. You were so shy the first few days. We got you out of your cage after that night at the random bar. Lol. I’ll be seeing you in Jersey perhaps? Good luck with school!
Lisa: You’re hilarious! Oh and I think we gave everyone a pretty good look at how China is after hearing about it all week haha. Ah I can’t wait to go back.
Emiko: Titanic song will never be the same to me…
Stephanie: We were so picked on at the village because of our Spanish lol.
Adam: You are way too random.
In other words as we were saying all week… “Que Quilombo!”
Good memories.
