CYCLING: FRIENDS IN PARAGUAY

IMAGES OF (EX) STRANGERS

Afonso, my host in Katueté. The first host in Paraguay, thanks to whom I had hosts for my whole trip until Asunción. He's a soy farmer.

Alessandra, Afonso's friend in Katueté. A wonderful Brazilian lady who works as a clothes sales woman. I stayed one night at her father's place.

Afonso, Thiago and Alessandra at Afonso's home. A Brazilian get-together in Paraguay!

Berni Bernadino. A radio journalist in Katueté, who I spontaneously had an interview with.

Beatriz and Gladys at Gladys' home. The two women are very religious and The Virgin Mary is an important part their lives.

Gladys, Cesar and Lucas with their thermos in Santaní, in front of a painted tree (as most trees are).

David hosted me for a night in Arroyos y Esteros, and on the same night, he also hosted four other American Peace Corps Volunteers working in the area.

Brazilian Don Catarino, who has been living in Paraguay for 17 years, hosted me for a night in El Naranjito. He's a cattle farmer, who also has sheep and chicken.

Don Catarino's partner, Ivani, drinking Chimarrao from her huge calabash gourd in El Naranjito! My host for one night.

Yobana hosted me through Couchsurfing in Asunción. A wonderful woman with the sweetest of smiles!

Yobana and her parents in Asunción before leaving for their farm in Chaco (the Western part of Paraguay). There, they have cattle and that's where the rest of the family lives.

Andres and Marilde (Paraguayan-Brazilian couple) hosted me for two nights in Curuguaty. They are friends of Afonso's and also soy farmers. They treated me like a queen!

Originally Brazilian Marilde (my host in Curuguaty) with her daughters Dany and Pathy, parents and sister-in-law. On the morning after Marilde's brother's birthday.

Marilde's daughter Dany in Curuguaty. She prepared an amazing fish for me with requeijao (Brazilian cheese) and vegetables. Dany works as a sales woman of all possible products.

Cesar, my Couchsurfing host in Asunción. I don't even know for how long I've stayed at his place. A social media wizard and pro blogger.

Maria, a friend of Afonso's who received me for two hours in Palotina. It was on the rainiest and coldest day on my trip, and she offered me mbeyú (Paraguayan 'cheese bread' with anis) and cocido (sweet and cooked mate). Her job is organizing events.

Cristian, my couchsurfing host Cesar's friend, going to a soccer rehearsal with his thermos for tereré (fundamental).

Interviewed about my cycling trip by Diego Marini and Ana Rivas, at radio ABC Cardinal, Sin Anestesia.

The Honorary Consulate of Finland in Paraguay, Carlos Schauman, at Lido Bar in Asunción. A wonderful man all Finns should meet during their visit to this country!