Still Here

Hi Folks:
Still in Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay.
Yesterday, being Sunday none of the museums or stores were open down town, so we planned to bus out to the ´Big Mall´. Unfortunately the day started with a twist as Joy decided (as I got out of the shower at 9am) that we should change hotels as she felt trapped in a room with a noisy air conditioner and a tv that was on accasionally. So we rushed to visit the new place which has much more character and is more atractive in a rustic way. We rushed back to pack and them checked out and ate the free breakfast at the hotel we were leaving and got settled in at the new place by 10:30. I must admit that I grumbled about the move, but it is much more to our liking and a little cheaper. It is called Residential San Roque and has two of our favourite (see how fast you can settle in?) eating places on the same corner.
After we settled in, we were off to try the local bus system to head to ´Museo del Bario´and ´Shopping del Sol´. We had checked out the buses and I followed carefully on the map. Good thing because this particular bus used a slightly different route than expected. The city buses go fast and somewhat recklessly (the term kamikaze is used in the guide book). The city gets so quiet on a Sunday that it was not nearly that exciting. Anyway, I figured a corner that was somewhat close and we got off and walked. After about a 2 hour walk in heat and more heat, we found the museo, to discover that it wasn´t open (although it was supposed to be). Fortunately the air-conditioned mall was open by this time and we were saved!
The main reason for going to the mall was to get some English language books, as Joy was out and I was getting close. While we found the books very expensive, particularly by Paraguayan standards, we bit the bullet and bought quite a few. Then it was off to the food court to think about lunch while sipping some cervasa (did I mention the heat!). Then the power went off in the mall, probably due to the storm passing over, and we could not get food, and had to settle for Cervasa. Back on the bus and this time I was able to get us off within a few blocks of our abode. We ate in a nice Peruvian restaurent around the corner.
Unfortunately, this morning Joy has awoken with stuffed head and so we are laying lowat least for today. We did go out to check on the boat trip up the Paraguay River to Concepcion and found out that the water level was too low for any shipping in that portion of the river. We felt a little better after breakfast at the ´Lido Bar´one of the favourite eating places for locals and tourists alike. Joy ordered ´sopa Paraguayan´as the guide book told her she must, expecting a bowl of soup. The locals around looked at her funnily when she tried to get bread to go with it. When it arrived it turned out to be a cake-like affair made from corn and peanuts and not a liquid soup! She did quite enjoy it though.
We have been talking to a couple of folks at the hostel (he from Iran, she from the UK) and they are heading out tonight for the 30 hour drive to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, across the Chaco. This route is considered somewhat risky (extra long) during the rainy season. However, given that water levels in the 2 rivers we have seen so far are very low, maybe the 20 hour time frame they were given by the bus company may be more accurate. I think that tomorrow, or the day after, we will head to Bolivia via Argentina, assuming Joy is feeling better.
Bye for now,
Jim