Paraguay

Before I first stepped foot in Paraguay, the country was a blank slate in my mind. I’d never heard music from Paraguay, met a Paraguayan, or seen photos or movies from the country. I remember asking a fellow tour leader what it was like. Her answer: green. That description has stuck with me – not so much for the great description, but because it was so unexpected. Which is exactly what Paraguay is. It’s a clash of cultures between rich and poor, vast farming fields and modern cities, and certainly a mash-up of Brazilian, Argentinean and its own unique vibe as well. I wouldn’t normally tell people to head to Paraguay for a vacation, but it is worth a lengthy stopover in your tour of South America.