TDY Gouge - Paraguay

Asuncion, Paraguay - Asuncion is your standard Latin American town filled with culture, crime, beautiful women, and good food (but don't drink the water). The airport, Silvio Pettrossi International (SGAS) is OK. The runway is beat up, but the support you get from the US Embassy contracted guy, Mr. Jose Melot @ Maytag Aircraft (wk # 595-21-646106), is good. Asuncion lies in a flat, swampy area of South America. We stayed at Hotel Sabe (595) 21-450 093, which is very nice, but in a rough part of town. It's about a 40 minute drive from the airport. The Embassy warns against walking out and about alone; walk in groups or take a taxi around town. The hotel staff will take good care of you and is very nice and helpful. EVERYTHING is Very CHEAP. The exchang rate is about 4000 Guarani to the US $1. A mixed drink was about $2, beer about $1. You can eat until you bust for around $10. We ate at the Paulistrio Grill(?).It was Outstanding. Call the Embassy USDAO for restaurant recommendations. The club action starts about 11:00 pm and goes until 6:00am (just like England or Iceland). A GREAT club on Friday/Saturday was The Mouse Cantina on Brazil St. Taxi ride from Hotel Sabe to there (15 Km) was $3 for 4 people!! A good bar during the week is La Barra, 2 blocks up from the Mouse on Brazil St. You can buy Leather and Lace products fairly cheap in Asuncion. One warning, don't drink the herbal tea mixture that you see everyone drinking out of a leather cup with the silver straw. You probably won't pass the piss test when you RTB!! They say they drink it to stay hydrated and energized in the heat of summer. Yea, right!! Overall, a good place to be, especially over the weekend. Enjoy!