Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Bueno Entonces Reviews


I gave a generally positive review of "Bueno Entonces" in Episode 23. I purchased another couple of episodes and my impression still stands: they are surprisingly well-done, professionally polished and entertaining.... the way these little episodes are set up really give you a feel for the way Spanish is structured. Additionally, I have to add that Jimena's voice acting is superb. Seriously, she plays the "straight-man" role really well. Es decir, el personaje que hace de serio en una pareja de cómicos. I'd definitely recommend that you check these out—and if you're on your way to Argentina, they are a *must.* It's one of the very few resources out the that gives you a feel for the way people speak in Buenos Aires. by Smirkypants

Read more reviews at Facebook. you can also become a Bueno Entonces fan!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Al Paraguay hay que conocerlo. Video

I found this video, which is promoting tourism in the country. It shows great places to visit sometimes!




Check it out, the girl is really sweet and the places are super cool.
To watch more video, visit YouTube

Monday, September 28, 2009

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Paraguay Embassies and Consulates

Here you’ll find a link to Paraguay embassies and consulates overseas, link to foreign embassies and consulates in Paraguay, and (because this is an English language website) full listing of contact information for the embassies and consulates of English-speaking nations in Paraguay.

Would you like to see a link to the list of Paraguayan Embassies and Consulates in your country? Conversely, would you like to see the embassies and consulates of your country in Paraguay listed on this page?

Embassies and Consulates of English Speaking Countries in Paraguay

United States embassy
1776 Mariscal Lopez Avenue
Asuncion, Paraguay
City: Asuncion
Phone: 95 21 213-715
Fax: 95 21 213-715
Web Site: http://paraguay.usembassy.gov/
Email: paraguayusembassy@state.gov
Office Hours: Monday thru Thursday 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Friday 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM Except Paraguayan and American Holidays.

See where your embassy is at Go South Expat

Friday, September 25, 2009

Currency Converter

Use this currency converter to calculate how much your currency is valued at in any other country of the world. In some countries of South America the currency fluctuates continually (based on the value of the U.S. dollar) and residents become accustomed to using a currency converter (or checking the newspaper) daily to view the exchange rate for a particular day. In other countries the currency is more stable.

Use the currency converter at Go South Expat

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

iPhone Spanish class. Review!


I was recently contacted by the folks at Miniature Studios about their new Spanish language learning product Bueno, entonces.

[Disclaimer: Miniature Studios did provide me with free access to the product in exchange for this review, but otherwise there was no payment for this review and there are no affiliate links in this post.]

Ever since my days implementing digital technologies in higher education I’ve been very interested in multimedia-based approaches to learning. There are different learning styles and some people learn better in ways that are different from others. Of course, language learning always requires a high degree of personal interaction to achieve any level of proficiency. But language tapes and computer-based approaches serve as useful starting points.

Bueno, entonces is a series of animated videos that replicate a one-on-one Spanish class.Unlike most learning Spanish resources online, Bueno, entonces is designed specifically for the person who wants to live in Buenos Aires, or at least have an extended visit to Buenos Aires and have a good time.

See more about these Spanish classes at buenoentonces.com/blog


Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Paraguay's linguistic equality

Nice video showing about the languages used in Paraguay. Check it out, it's a Paraguayan treasure!!!!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Asuncion Paraguay Documentary pictures



See some pictures of this beautiful country!!!! Take a look at it!!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Paraguay's Two Seasons: HOT and Not Quite As Hot

As today's high hit 94 wonderful degrees, I realized that Spring has officially hit Paraguay. Even though the new season doesn't officially start until next Tuesday (Sept. 22), the oppressing heat has returned to remind everyone that even more oppressive summer heat is just around the corner. And in that brief description are Paraguay's two seasons: HOT and Not Quite As Hot.

The summer months--December, January, and February--are unbearably hot. Temperatures average at least mid 90s during the day (with most days above 100) and, at the lowest, mid 80s at night. Humidity never breaks, not even for a day and not even when it rains. When it does rain, outside feels like a steam bath. March and April offer no respite from the heat. Days might dip into the low 90s but the nights are still just as hot. May is the first month where the glimmer of cooler weather starts to emerge. But by 'cooler weather' I mean temps in the 80s. I guess cool is a relative term. Winter, described below, ushers in Paraguay's second season. Once those all too short three months are over, it's back to the season of HOT. Thanks, September, for reminding us that Paraguay hasn't forgotten how to turn the streets of Asunción into an oven.

I must admit that Cat and I enjoyed a nice three month reprieve: June, July, and August. Aside from a few cold nights where the mercury registered the low 40s, the temperature still averaged in the 70s during the day and 50s at night. Coming from constant triple digit highs and lows in the mid 80s, highs in the 70s were incredible. And we felt nice and cool.

Finish reading at Paraguay 2009.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Travelling light

It’s a rainy afternoon and I’m throwing stuff out. I love a good clearout. One of the best things I’ve learned from expat life is how good it feels to get rid of all the excess stuff that weighs you down, both physically and mentally. Stuff is what my Nana described as ”neither use nor ornament”. It can be brand new, like the spare lightbulbs for lamps you don’t own any more, but mostly it’s used, like the clothes in your closet which don’t fit or which never did come back into fashion.

Having moved so many times in the last 13 years I’ve become almost paranoid about accumulating stuff and try my best to operate on the principle of one-in-one-out, ie buy a new shirt, throw out an old one. Despite the fact that I’m married to a collector, living in a variety of different apartments, some large, some small, has taught me a lot.

Finish reading this article at Expatriate Life

Thursday, September 17, 2009

10 Things to Know Before You Move to Central or South America

I have received many emails over the years from readers of my Blogs who are interested in moving to Central or South America from the US or other 'developed' countries'. The majority of people who requested information are involved in cross-cultural relationships. I have first-hand experience with a cross-cultural marriage. For women, I recommend that you investigate lagringasblogicito and hondurassprouts. These are blogs written by excellent women writers who are married to Honduran Citizens.

Here are some tips that I picked up from years of actual cross-cultural communications as well as first-hand experience, a grand total of 24 years residence in Mexico and Central America.

1. Be informed (Know) before you go. Read! Read! Read! Surf the Internet and purchase up-to-date print Guidebooks, country specific to where you wish to relocate. Talk to as many people as you can who have lived in Central & South America.

Always spend at least 2-3 weeks in your target country, city or region before deciding to make the move. Seeing is believing. Never rely on internet sites, user groups, forums or blogs as your primary source of information. Never arrange to purchase Real Estate abroad from any website nor contract expensive Real Estate & Relocation tours online. One Woman, whom I know, spent $200 USD a day in Costa Rica on 'Real Estate Tours', returned home broke and bitter after a week. If you do not have a friend or relative in your target country who you are able to stay with (try not to stay in a Resort or Luxury Hotel unless on a genuine vacation) take this advice: "I would recommend couchsurfing.com for meeting locals. You don't have to couchsurf (Stay) with them you can meet for a coffee / drink, local tour or whatever. They'll show you around and you'll get to do things most tourists don't do -- and offer insider information on their area. Also try out bewelcome.org. Both organizations are non profit boasting thousands of Latin American members.

Continue reading these tips at Expat Exchange

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Vibe's Argentine Experience with Bueno Entonces. Check it out!

The Day of the Bueno Entonces Mexican Margarita EXTRaVaganza
After a few big nights I’ve had to do some recuperating to get ready for the Bueno Entonces Mexican Margarita Extravaganza.. you know ... I need sleep every now and then.. When do Buenos-Aireans sleep? On Sunday all day Martin told me. But is that enough for the rest of the week?

All I could muster lately was a visit to Recoleta to see Evita’s grave. Surely a must SEE... She died just so young! Recoleta is pretty cool anyway to wander around with your sunglasses feeling melancholy. The graves are amazing and monumental and if you’ve ever dug into Argentine history or have paid attention to the streetnames you’ll find a lot of big names there. I find out Carlos Gardel is in the other cemetery, must do that one next time.

But onwards.. David (el Productor) and Cori have organised a night with the entire cast and crew of Bueno Entonces. We’re going out for Mexican and LOTS Of Margaritas in Palermo.

Jimena and the other David (this is confusing I know.. but this is the one YOU know if you’ve seen Bueno Entonces) are there and they are awesome. Also the writer and educational brain behind BE, Florencia and Hernan. Have I mentioned Carolina the beautiful Colombiana already? They’re all just amazing and what really shines through in Bueno Entonces that this is a bunch of people clearly having a lot of fun creating something together, is also pretty clear from tonight. After that more going out, and being silly.

To finish reading, go to beadventuresinba.blogspot.com

Sunday, September 13, 2009

If you need accommodation

Business travellers or private visitors, looking for a very special personal atmosphere are invited to a visit at our aparthotel Porta Westfalica. Our guests enjoy the elegantly furnished Apartments. After outings to places of interest in the surroundings one will find plenty of possibilities to relax an the outdoor pool. Elegance and cosiness will make you feel at home.

Thanks to its tasteful family flats the family Aparthotel Porta Westfalica is the right place for parents and children.

Read more at GoAbroad.com

Saturday, September 12, 2009

South America Inside Program to learn Spanish. Paraguay

Our partner school in Asuncion belongs to the best language schools in Paraguay and the professional and highly qualified teachers will help your Spanish to progress as fast as possible! Furthermore, you will also have the opportunity to learn Guaraní, an indigenous language of South America which is still spoken in some countries bordering Paraguay. The school hosts students from around the world and therefore has a very multicultural atmosphere.

Highlights: Spanish Language Courses
The language school in Asuncion offers two main course systems, Spanish and Guaraní. You choose between group and private classes and also determine how many classes you would like to take per day. If you would like to be more flexible, you will also have the opportunity to take classes only two or three times a week. Classes take place every day from Monday until Friday. One class lasts 55 minutes. In a group class there is a maximum of six students. You can start your classes any day of the week and will take a short placement test on the first day. If you want to learn fast and study the Spanish language very intensively, you can also take classes at home.

Read more at languagestudy.goabroad.com

Friday, September 11, 2009

Paraguayan food

The Paraguayan kitchen, as is the case in all cultural expressions, has a strong indigenous roots, although the eating habits of Paraguayans became much more open since colonization, and cooking standards now come European origins, as well as the rest of the countries of the world, in modern times.

The bases for Paraguayan gastronomy are found in two main staples of indigenous origin: cassava (a tuber with generous roots, also known as mandioca or yuca) and corn (American grain), from which a variety of products are made for consumption in varying forms.

Continue reading Paraguay.com

Thursday, September 10, 2009

you need to watch this video!

Getting there

Bus

Negotiating Paraguayan borders can be schizophrenic; on the bus, off the bus, on the bus… Ask the driver to stop at immigration (locals don’t always need to) and be sure your papers are in order. Note that some bus companies claim to travel further into Brazil than border towns, but actually change buses after crossing the border.

Boat

Boats cross into Asunción and Encarnación from Argentina, but immigration procedures are more complicated if entering by boat. With patience and stamina, unofficial river travel from Concepción to Isla Margarita on the Brazilian border is possible.

Air

Paraguay’s only international airport is in Asunción. Direct international flights from Asunción are limited to neighboring countries: Buenos Aires, Argentina; La Paz and Santa Cruz, Bolivia; São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Iquique and Santiago, Chile.

Visit Lonely Planet

The central circuit

Leaving from the capital, Asunción, whoever would like to take an interesting tour, can take a drive that starts by taking Route I and driving to the city of Itá. Here, one of the most beautiful handicrafts in the country is made: ceramic pottery, some of whose admirable artists were recognizes with important international awards.

From here, the drive can continue through the city of Yaguarón, where you can visit its temple (see image below), one of the greatest architectural relics of the Franciscan Missions. The visitor can then drive to the east, where he will find the city of Piribebuy, that houses an important remembrance of the War of the Triple Alliance, and also where he can admire unique woven handicrafts. In its outskirts, one can find a plethora of beautiful places to rest, with hotels and comfortable rest stops, located in the constantly changing mountainside and numerous streams.

Wanna read more, go to Paraguay.com

Indigenous Squatter Communities Organise Self-Help

Indigenous families living in a squatter settlement on the outskirts of the Paraguayan capital are organising themselves, and now have a community soup kitchen and are producing and selling handicrafts. They don't want to return to panhandling on the streets of Asunción, so far from their home villages.

In the last few decades, the number of poor indigenous people on the streets of Greater Asunción has increased, as the exodus of native families from rural areas has grown.

To read full article, go to oneworld.net.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

a map


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Applying for an International Driving Permit - Paraguay

Thanks to the United Nations, foreigners can drive freely in almost 180
countries if they have an International Driving Permit. The permit
essentially offers proof that you have a license in your home country
and can be particularly helpful in countries where English isn't spoken.

To obtain a permit, contact or visit the nearest branch office of the
American Automobile Association and the American Automobile
Touring Alliance, which offers the permit through the National
Automobile Club. Avoid less familiar agencies, as less reputable
entities have been known to forge these permits.

To finish reading the article, go to goabroad.com

Getting to know Paraguay

Paraguay, officially the Republic of Paraguay (Spanish: República del Paraguay, pronounced [reˈpuβlika ðel paɾaˈɣwai]; Guaraní: Tetã Paraguái), is one of the two landlocked countries which lie entirely within the Western Hemisphere, the other being Bolivia, both in South America.

It lies on both banks of the Paraguay River and is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Because of its central location in South America, the country is sometimes referred to as Corazón de América — Heart of America.[5] As of 2009 the population was estimated at over six million.

To read more about Paraguay, go to Wikipedia.