Striking Oil

3/30/2011

Today we had our second “Tapeopovo” (treasure hunt). The first one was neither exciting nor fun, which is why I chose not to dedicate an entire blog to writing much about it. Pretty much Peace Corps divided us into groups of two, gave us two places to visit along with a list of questions, and oh yeah, sent us out to find the answers alone…our 3^rd week in PY. However on a less-frustrating note, this time we were given a choice as to with whom we wanted to travel and more importantly, where we wanted to go. I was a little hesitant to go after just re-cooperating from a horrible 5-day virus (including 1.5 days in the city hospital L), but I decided to go since it was meant to be super “tranquilopa” (calm in Guarani). Of course I went with Rose and we chose to go in search of sandals and shirts at “Mariscal Lopez Shopping”. However, first we stopped at a bookstore near by to not seem entirely obvious about our craving for air conditioning. The name of the bookstore we visited was called “Books”, why the American name I’m not too sure; however, it’s possibly because of the giant selection of current best-sellers, cookbooks, travel guides, and children’s books in ENGLISH. Unfortunately, reading isn’t exactly a valued pastime here. Newspapers are a luxury and children’s leisurely reads are usually their textbooks (and that’s only if the schools have enough for each child, and/or trust them to take home and return- which most schools do not). Plus what kid in any country would want to read the book they study from everyday let alone enjoy reading it?  So naturally, book prices in general are ridiculous, new book prices are even more ridiculous, and new/current American book prices: forget about it! This store “Books” did claim to have a “oferta” (sale) section which consisted of books with missing or torn pages yet “40% off” still cost 30 G’s. Rose and I booked it (pun intended) on out of there pretty quickly, especially since the store clerk wasn’t particularly friendly nor patient with our questioning. Afterward, we headed across the street to Shopping Mariscal where we roamed each of the three floors. Before entering, Rose and I made a deal that she would go with me to get ice cream if I went with her to find real coffee. Almost immediately we stumbled upon a Starbucks-like coffee shop in the middle of the mall. Rose ordered an espresso and I simply rested while enjoying the scenery’s scents (I’m no caffeine feign but the aroma is soothing). Twenty minutes later or so, we skimmed the other two floors. No luck for me, but Rose did finally find some sandals she liked and bought although neither of us appreciated the salesladies’ stalker-like approach to helping us. Next, we found the food court and since we share a love of culinary creativity, naturally we decided upon “Belini’s”. This pasta bar consists of customers selecting from behind  glass between 4 types of pastas, pointing to up to 8 ingredients, stating either “red or white sauce” and chefs on the other side of the glass preparing the meal right before your eyes….in OLIVE OIL. Rose and I were in heaven! I crafted an alfredo-based dish, while Rose assembled a spicy marinara-based one and we both cleaned our bowls with the free dinner rolls. The portions were huge and the meal included a drink only cost 25 G’s total…no wonder the line extended through half the second floor! Whoever thought of this idea is a genius because Paraguayans love it just as much, and PY is rich in fresh fruits and veggies so who wouldn’t appreciate ingredients from their own soil? This meal was by far the BEST non-Paraguayan dish I’ve had since I’ve been here (Sorry SUGU, but you’re a close second). To top of the day, we found my ice cream shop and both indulged in some atypical flavors: peach for Rose, and reverse turtle tracks for me (caramel outside, solid chocolate cookie drops instead of turtles inside). SIDE NOTE: I know it seems that most of my really amazing days involve food lol, and this is true. BUT, you have to understand that when you’re in another country and you find something familiar, you cling to it without neither hesitation nor lack of enthusiasm, period. So judge not people, judge not lest you yourself decide to embark on a journey similar as mine J

Rose & I before our Asuncion Adventure!