I'm moving overseas to Paraguay in a few weeks for two years and I need packing advice!
I have a partially furnished apartment and a job already, and I'm living in the capital, Asuncion.
I am only taking two (very full) suitcases, and I'm kind of stressing about what to bring.
I've been overseas a few times, but not more than a month.
Anonymous
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Weather generally mild to hot but it can get cold at this time of the year. Casual clothes but bring formal too.
Anonymous
Whoa, major misconception there, friend, watch out! $20? No way. Paraguay is a cheap place to live, granted, but I'd try something more like US$ 400 for bare basics, and more like US$ 800 to 1000 for a lifestyle you'll truly enjoy. When you think of a desirable lifestyle, you'll need to rent a good house in a suburb of Asuncion to get the big city entertainment options of Asuncion (careful with Ciudad del Este, it has its ugly spots in many ways); Paraguay's other cities are almost all towns, and extremely rural in every way; unless you think sitting by the river, tractor-spotting, is good fun, don't move to a small place; plan to spend US$ 300 to 400 on rent per month, and the same sum on food and drink if you're being reasonable without saying goodbye to whiskey, steaks, and cigars. Flights to Paraguay are not so cheap, either. From the US, plan to spend about US$ 700 minimum for a return ticket per person. As for laws, and how Americans are treated: If you speak Spanish, nobody really cares where you're from. Paraguay is pretty mellow that way. But keep in mind that there may be those who do hold strong, political views, so I would keep a bit modest about your nationality. The Paraguayan legal system is as close as it comes to total chaos without actually being a war zone, if you ask me. Police have the right to arrest and detain on suspicion, leaving you to have to prove your innocence. Without local support structure, or enough funds to pay your way to freedom, this can go badly for an outsider. My advice: Paraguay - lovely. But only if you've done your homework, speak Spanish, bring money, and are realistic.