Una gran aventura en Asunción

       Yesterday marked my first full week in Paraguay.  I can't believe it!  To celebrate (not really, we would have gone anyway) me, my brother Gili and my friend Ferre from Belgium went to Asunción for an adventure!  It was the most fun day here so far, even though there hasn't been a day I haven't enjoyed yet.
       Gili and I were walking to the bus place (there aren't real stops here) And as we were walking a car pulled up and we got in.  I don't totally understand Spanish and didn't quite understand, but it turns out it was a friend of the family and not some random person driving us around.  We got dropped off part way and took the bus the rest of the way to "shopping" , used as a noun not a verb.  Shopping is the most popular mall in Asunción, where tons of people go to shop, watch movies, eat...you name it.  We met Ferre at shopping and then started out hike. 
       We walked for such a long way seeing lots of things in the streets of Asuncion.  We saw the presidents residence, the US embassy, the BIG manzana (Apple store) and the field where Olympia plays.  Then we went to the river front where the Palacio de Gobierno is.  The water is still really high on the river but it has gone down some since earlier this year.  Instead of walking, we used this vehicle that reminded me of a three wheeler with big wheels on it.  The driver sat in front and there were too passenger seats.  Gilberto drove and Ferre and I were the passengers.  When Gili said we were going to use one I thought he was joking, and when I figured out it was for real and once we got on, I couldn't stop giggling.  It was so much fun and just really cool.  There were antique cars on the river front too, which we took photos with. 
       After our vehicle ride, we were pretty hungry and went to get lunch.  Of course we went to McDonald's.  Today is día del niños so everything is decorated with balloons and there are clowns everywhere too.  Clowns on motorcycles, clowns in the street, clowns everywhere.  In fact, my tía Niti is a clown, as well as many other professions.  ANYWAY, after lunch we went to the casa de independencia where the paraguayans planned their attack on the Spanish to gain their freedom.  It was an interesting little museum.  We then walk through the panteón de los héroes.  Yesterday was also the anniversary of Asuncion so there were some parades and if course fireworks....but fireworks happen almost every night anyway.  I swear, almost every day is a holiday in Paraguay.  I have been here one week and there have already been 3! 
       I had another interesting bus experience, when a man came on with his guitar and serenaded all of the passengers.  His guitar playing was good but his singing was a couple of keys off.  Nice effort though. 
       After our adventure in Asunción, We went to one of Gilis friends house who has two pit bulls.  One of them is the champion of the competitions...and is also Annubis' boyfriend haha.  We were there for a long time and Ferre and me were soooo tired!  Finally we came back home and waited for Ferres parents to come and get him at 9.  He knows I play ukulele, so everyone wanted me to play.  We (mama, papa, Ferre, and Gili) went out onto the patio in front of the store and I played and did a little bit if singing too.  Ferre put my case on the ground and Gili threw a 1000 guarani coin in haha.  We joked that since I am not working yet, I will play my ukulele for a job haha.  I put my first coin in my Paraguayan piggy bank. 
       After, we came inside because it was cold and looked at pictures from a while ago.  It was really funny to see what everyone looked like when they were so young!  It was a lot of fun.  Ferres parents came to pick him up because they were going to a birthday party and then soon after I went to bed because I was so exhausted. 
       Apparently I am going with Gili to a pit bull competition tomorrow which involves me getting up at 3 or 4 am to get there by 7 am................whyyyyyyyyyy.  Well that's about all I can't think of for now!  Check in again!