Americas

[Visited: October 2000, January 2023]

After my first, short visit more than twenty years before, it was time to revisit Asunción. While I drive from the airport to the city, the sun is about to rise and dispel the darkness. I am staying in a monumental hotel, which was once used as a residence, a hospital during the War of the Triple Alliance, and then a hotel until the present day. After a night of travel, I had planned to sleep a little, but end up doing some messaging first. The weather outside looks awesome, and I cannot resist. I start exploring the city where the sun is mercilessly burning on me. I walk the grid of streets, and stop regularly to take pictures of remarkable, monumental buildings. I work my way towards the Pantheon - one of the remarkable buildings of Asunción. This is where some of the most important historical figures of Paraguay's history are buried. It is closed unfortunately.
For some reason, Asunción (and indeed, Paraguay itself) is off the tourist radar - and the more I walk, the more I wonder why that is. I feel at ease here, there is plenty to see (and yes, some of the buildings could use some maintenance, but that's part of their charm for me), and people are friendly and modest. On top, you can find good food. My first is a tasty ice cream in one of the many parlours in the city. I continue walking, see more remarkable buildings, and take a taxi to the bus station which is quite far from the historic city centre. After I get the information I need, I go to the Cultural Centre, which is based in an elegant pink colonnaded building called El Cabildo. I cannot but think of the Casa Rosada in Buenos Aires, which is the residence of the president. Here the president resides a little further west in the Palacio de López.
Near the Cultural Centre, I find the cathedral of Asunción, baking in the afternoon sun. I see a pillar, monument for the constitution of Paraguay. Strangely the Plaza de Armas is partly closed and I have to walk around it to continue my exploration. I reach the enormous Palacio de López, which has a big Nativity scene in its garden. After exploring other parts of Paraguay, I am back to Asunción again. I enjoy walking the streets of the city even more, and especially the food and ice cream that are on a par with Italy. I now use buses for the longer distances: once you get the idea, and ask people at a bus stop, it is easy enough to navigate the city by public transport. I am now staying in an apartment with great views over the Paraguay river, on which banks Asunción was founded a long time ago. Actually, it is one of the oldest cities of South America, which is another good reason for a visit. I will not take more than twenty years to be back here for sure.

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Asunción (Paraguay)

Asunción > Paraguay > Americas

[Visited: October 2000, January 2023]

Around the World in 80 Clicks