Eastern Paraguay

Advantages: shopping
Disadvantages: black market

...Paraguay is nothing but a place where you can buy mostly everything, you can also buy the best makes in the world, but becareful it can be a good or even a bad copy. What normally happens is ... when in Brazil the things are not going to well because the problems with the inflation, political etc... this is where the brazilians go to buy staff to sell to make some money. Near the Xmas Paraguay is full of brazilians trying to recuperate the money they didn't make during all the past months. It is a place that smells, is a poor choice really.Brazil is very reach in so many other aspects that instead in to go to Paraguay I would say that you could go to know North of Brazil.... Read review

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Advantages: Bargains Galore
Disadvantages: A little dull

...OK, Asuncion, and Paraguay in general aren't that exciting, but who else has ever been there? You can impress all your mates by saying "oh yes, in Paraguay this or in Paraguay that" Asuncion is located about half way up Paraguay, but on the western border of the country with Argentina. You can see Argentina across the Rio Paraguay from the main squares. Like much of South America, expect refuse on street, poverty in your face and scammers left right and centre. In fact, in Asuncion the slums are more evident than in many cities - they are along the banks of the river and you can overlook them from one of the main squares in the city. I wouldn't advise this though - we did and nearly got chased away. Besides, it's rather rude to pry into people's lives in this way. The town centre is somewhat removed from the town itself. As I... Read review

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Advantages: Good pre trip orgainisation
Disadvantages: Not enough local support

...I took a Gap year before I went to university year (1995-1996). I decided to do some voluntary work abroad and after considering various organisations I decided to apply to 'GAP Activity Projects'or 'GAP. GAP offered several volunteer projects across the world, but concentrated in Asia, South America and Africa i.e much of the developing world. My love has always been for South America and I decided to go for a project teaching kids in Paraguay. GAP were helpful in planning for the trip, they offered many fundraising ideas and also organised my visa for me. I didn't need any previous experience, and the TEFL training I needed was organised by them. I did have to pay about £200 registration fee to GAP and I also needed to pay extra for the TEFL training, but I did receive a qualification at the end of it. The flights were also... Read review

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