Hola amigos! I was born and raised in Asuncion, Paraguay in a Catholic family, so I grew up with Guarani tunes, church on Sundays, and tereré as my lifeline—mba’éichapa if you wanna say ‘what’s up’ like we do! Honestly, I had to learn Guarani ‘cause my grandma refuses to answer me in Spanish—she’s old-school like that, and I love her for it. Paraguay’s got a wild past—huge wars way back that shrunk us down, then a long dictatorship that kept things tight for decades, but we’re still here, vibing with our rivers and red dirt. I’m super close to my family—we all hang out in this cozy colonial house in the capital, just chilling and keeping it real. I live close to the old part of Asuncion in one of the most popular Barrios called Tacumbu, a spot that’s been around forever. The name Tacumbu comes from Guarani for ‘hot stone’—they say a big, fiery rock fell from the sky ages ago, smashing into the earth with a bang, and that’s a big deal for our history. My grandfather used to work in la cantera of Tacumbu Hill, hauling out rocks to pave the city’s streets, and now that hill’s this chill lagoon you can totally visit—super calm, with birds hanging out, a cool backstory, and even a little church nearby ‘cause people here are super religious. It’s a working-class hood, full of stories, and I’m gonna be your tour guide for this part and I figured I’d start this blog to share some tales and whatever else pops up. Che sy says hi— my mom says hi, by the way! So, you interested in visiting Asuncion? It’s a cozy, calm spot compared to the craziness of Buenos Aires or São Paulo, but it’s still got its own chill charm. Let me walk you through it—stick around!”
A Little Paseito through Asuncion
Amiguitos, I’ m a breakfast person- if my day doesn’t start with something yummy and sweet, I’m just not myself. So when I’m in Asuncion, my paseito thought Asuncion, naturally kicks off at Bolsi, this iconic spot smack in the heart of downtown. It’s been there since 1960, open 24/7, so you know when I don’t want to have breakfast at home, I go there. Sometimes, I go to a shopping center too near by. I’m like my mom say ‘sos como el viento’ I’m like the wind. I’m there early, sun just creeping up, streets still quiet, ready to dig into some ñande morning sweetness.
I walk in, and the vibe’s already hitting me- old- school charm with the high ceilings. First thing I’m after is medialunas- those pastries that hit my sweet spot just right. They come out warm, with dulce de leche that I can’t resist, and I pair it in the cocido quemado. That dark, sweet, burnt kick in the cocido wakes me up while the medialunas melt in my mouth. Que rico! I’m posted up at one of those big wooden tables, watching the city ease into the day, and it’s all tranquilo.
But I’m not done- Bolsi’s got more, and I’m all about it. Next, I grab a mixto caliente- ham and cheese toasted up nice and hot, balancing out the sweet with some savory goodness. The lady at the counter smiles, like “take your time, m’hija,” and I sip a black coffee alongside, keeping it simple but strong. It’s a warm, happy combo that’s just my speed for breakfast.
Before I’m done, I gotta grab something to-go- ’cause I like a little extra for the road. I order a chipa or a coxinha, depending on my mood. Chipa’s that classic, chewy goodness, or the coxinha’s got that crispy outside and creamy chicken inside- either way, it’s cozy, it’s sweet, it’s home but kicked up a notch. The best way to start my paseito in Asuncion.
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