Demo
Travel Writer - Bronze
Visited in:
September 2008
for a period of
4 hours
Voted this Destination:
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Our Paraguay trip was a real cameo trip from Brazil. We were actually enjoying the breathtaking experience that is Iguassu Falls, but, as the falls border Argentian, brazil and Paraguay, the tour company acting on behalf of First Choice Holidays, offered a shopping trip in Paraguay.
We were told that the trip which was only for a few hours and 50 Reals (about £20) was great for shopping as prices in Paraguay were very cheap (especially electronics). This for me wasn't the main motivation, more so, to experience another country albeit for a very short period.
Upon arriving in Paraguay (just over the border) the coach stopped and we were given our times to be back and where we should go and not go.
It soon became apparent that there weren't any real deals on anything which were pretty much England prices. Worst still, every shop keeper would hassle you as you walked by and there was some very intimidating and dangerous looking characters lurking about. These characters obviously knew you were carrying money in these shopping areas and was a little scary (even for a grown adult male that I am).
Notwitstanding a very poor shopping display, the area was incredibly shabby and really gave you a feeling of how lucky you were as the streets were paved with what looked like homeless Paraguians. Even the housed people didn't look to have much.
To top off the all round very unnappealing shopping border trip, we went in an equivalent Paraguay department store and couldn't help notice the 'doorman/bouncer' who was dressed in military clothing carrting sorn off shotgun and Rambo style ammunition all around his shoulder.
This really isn't a destination to visit if the rest of the country is as intimidating as the border.
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