Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Bueno Entonces Reviews


This is absolutely one of the most fun language lessons I have ever seen. It is like a very entertaining TV show, with intelligent conversations and good acting. Complete refreshement after all those boring podcasts that we are used to. I am looking forward to more of it! Great work:)

by Preproduction



Read more reviews at Facebook. you can also become a Bueno Entonces fan!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Paraguay: Tenés que Sentirlo. Watch this video!!!

I found this video, which is promoting tourism in the country. It shows great places to visit sometimes!




Check it out, the girl is really sweet and the places are super cool.
To watch more video, visit YouTube

Paraguayans protest “Moonie” land control


One of the biggest problems in the impoverished country of Paraguay is the concentration of land in the hands of a few. (According to the BBC, less than "2% of landowners are said to control 70% of the arable land.”) It is therefore no surprise that land reform is a hot topic in the landlocked state and often the reason for frequent demonstrations.

Last week, about 2000 protestors blocked the national highway and called for the distribution of land owned by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church. The protest led to a brief yet massive bottleneck on the road connecting the capital city of Asuncion to the rest of Paraguay. The demonstrators- mostly peasants from the western part of the country- demanded to meet with President Fernando Lugo or else they would march into Asuncion.

The land in question- about 128,000 acres- had been expropriated in 2005 for residents of Puerto Casado yet a high court two years later ordered the return of that land to a firm owned by Moon. That company pledged to give a little over half that land to the peasants, yet the protestors claimed that the land is sparse and would divide their community.

Read more at The Latin Americanist.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Working on board!

El Rio Paraguay por globevisions.

This is a pic on the Paraguay River. Loading fruits and vegetables!
Check out this pic and more at Flickr

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Paraguay Embassies and Consulates

Here you’ll find a link to Paraguay embassies and consulates overseas, link to foreign embassies and consulates in Paraguay, and (because this is an English language website) full listing of contact information for the embassies and consulates of English-speaking nations in Paraguay.

Would you like to see a link to the list of Paraguayan Embassies and Consulates in your country? Conversely, would you like to see the embassies and consulates of your country in Paraguay listed on this page?

Embassies and Consulates of English Speaking Countries in Paraguay

United States embassy
1776 Mariscal Lopez Avenue
Asuncion, Paraguay
City: Asuncion
Phone: 95 21 213-715
Fax: 95 21 213-715
Web Site: http://paraguay.usembassy.gov/
Email: paraguayusembassy@state.gov
Office Hours: Monday thru Thursday 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Friday 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM Except Paraguayan and American Holidays.

See where your embassy is at Go South Expat

Friday, September 25, 2009

Currency converter

Use this currency converter to calculate how much your currency is valued at in any other country of the world. In some countries of South America the currency fluctuates continually (based on the value of the U.S. dollar) and residents become accustomed to using a currency converter (or checking the newspaper) daily to view the exchange rate for a particular day. In other countries the currency is more stable.

Use the currency converter at Go South Expat

Thursday, September 24, 2009

International School Jobs. Opportunities in Paraguay

How to Plan a Successful Interview

Besides the romance and simple pleasures of foreign living, overseas teaching is also a helpful addition to a future resume. The network of international schools is well connected, and once a fledgling teacher is hired it is easier to obtain a future position. Upon completing a stay at a foreign school, you may choose to simply remain at your current school or continue teaching at another international school around the world.

Though the recruiting fair is the most effective gateway to a contract, nothing in the world of education can prepare an individual for these conferences. Having to convince an administrator within 15 minutes that you are the best candidate for his school is a rather difficult challenge. Being given fewer than 24 hours to decide where you will spend the next two to three years of your life, especially if it’s an unfamiliar destination, makes the situation even more complex.

Choosing the right interviews at the right times, knowing which schools offer the best packages and best contracts is a tricky business. Knowing which schools are situated in the best locations is also a challenge. Getting hired may mean four days of this process, sometimes with double digit interviews. Administrators always have several candidates in mind at the job fair and need a decision from you before they leave for the next stop. The carnival continues.

Read more at Transitions Abroad

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Bueno Entonces Review. Dynamic Spanish classes


I’m moving to buenos aires and BUENO, ENTONCES was recommended to me as a cool way to learn spanish. I really dig it so far. the concept is creative, it is fun to watch, and the content is challenging. I’m happy they don’t dumb it down for you , but I can see why some people think it’s a little fast. Truthfully, I had to watch the episode twice to feel I’d gotten everything. I love the ease of having it on my iphone and watching it at my convenience. It’s hard for me to commit to a physical class (due more to laziness than time constrictions), so it is a great alternative way to learn spanish.

Great way of learning Spanish.

Keep reading at buenoentonces.com/blog

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Monday, September 21, 2009

Paraguay Deforestation: the soy invasion

This is really interesting. It's been going on not only in Paraguay, but also in most of the Southamerican countries. It'd would be great to do some research on the topic...

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Documentary with pics of Asuncion Paraguay.



Get to know a little bit more of Paraguay. It's super nice!!!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Show me the money!!!

Money makes the world go round, so I thought I’d talk about some of the items normally found in expat employment contracts. But I would start by saying that very few expats work overseas just for money. Diplomats, those in the military, people who work for charities and NGO’s certainly don’t, people looking for adventure or work experience don’t, and even those whose work is the driving factor generally have many other reasons other than money for accepting an expat position.

First, some terminology:

Working as an employee is what most people understand it to be. You become a permanent employee of the company and are usually entitled to a range of benefits, such as health or life insurance, savings or pension plans etc. It implies a long term, permanent position although these days most companies won’t hesitate to lay off staff as soon as they’re no longer required, so pay particular attention to termination clauses.

Working as a contractor, means you are a self-employed individual. Many contractors have their own registered companies (even if they’re the only employee) for tax or liability reasons. Contractors are usually paid on a daily or monthly rate which will generally be all inclusive. In other words, as a contractor it will be up to you to pay for accommodation, health insurance, airfares, mobilization costs as well as any expenses incurred by your family (visas, school fees, etc) if you choose to bring them along. Typically contractors can be terminated at very short notice (eg 24 hours) and the term of the contract is always stated, although it may be extended by mutual consent. Because they receive so little company support, contractors usually get paid higher rates than employees.

Looking at the contract itself it’s important to determine who will pay for what. Some are very complex, with the employer providing many items, allowances and “uplifts” to reflect a high cost or living or hardship location, for example, and perhaps even deductions such as hypothetical tax, to bring the base salary into line with the home country. Others are much more basic, offering lump sum packages which the employee can spend at his or her discretion. Either way the main things to look at are:-

Accommodation. If it’s provided by the employer, there are three broad options:

Provided by the employer. You need to determine if it will meet your needs in terms of size, quality and location. While this can be the simplest solution, as you’ll just walk in as soon as you arrive (and, perhaps more importantly, just walk out when you leave) you have no choice about where you live.

Read all of it at Expatriate Life

Friday, September 18, 2009

Paraguay – Lugo calls to work with transparency.




The President of the Republic Fernando Lugo spoke in his usual Thursday lecture at the Government Palace to the granting of the pool and called on officials of the National Gaming to conduct a thorough job and above all transparent.

The head of Executive said analyzing in detail all the companies that are bid for operating the billionaire business.

My recommendation is to not stop or pressure or by the media war and not give into the temptations that might exist, Lugo said.

Read more at yucasino.com

Plan International promoting child rights in Paraguay



Plan Paraguay
Plan has been operating in Paraguay since 1994, helping poor children to access their rights to education, health, protection, food security and sustainable livelihoods. Today, we work with more than 26,150 sponsored children - and through them we benefit an additional 150,000 people living in 470 rural communities in the poorest districts of the country. Where we work in Paraguay Our core areas of activity include: promoting access to quality education supporting children to achieve their right to a healthy life protecting children from abuse, exploitation and violence encouraging child participation.

Read the article at Plan International

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Programs and Events. US Embassy in Paraguay

Embassy Launches Scholarship Program for English Teachers

August 4, 2009

Chargé d'affaires a.i., Perry Holloway, launched the third edition of the Fellowship Program for English Teachers of public schools of Central Department and the Department of Itapúa on August 4, 2009.

During the ceremony, held at the “Clara Irma Piacentini de Cacace School”, a cooperative agreement was signed and a significant book donation with a value of fifteen million guaraníes was made to the school’s library. The event was attended by the Minister of Education, Luis Alberto Riart Montaner, and the Chairman of the Board of the CCPA, José E. Fernández Arrúa.

To read full article, visit paraguay.usembassy.gov

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Doing business in PY

DOING BUSINESS IN PARAGUAY

STARTING A BUSINESS


STANDARDIZED COMPANY
Legal Form: Corporation
Minimum Capital Requirement: 0
City: Asuncion

Registration Requirements:

Procedure 1. Check the uniqueness of the proposed company name

Time to complete: 2 days

Cost to complete: USD 30

Procedure 2*. Draft the Company Deeds signed by an Attorney

Time to complete: 5 days (simultaneous with procedure 1)

Cost to complete: USD 600 (minimum or 2 to 3% of the paid-in capital stock of the company)

Comment: It is customary to resort to professional attorneys in drafting the company formation documents since they should be made in compliance of corporate laws and regulations. With regard to the registration, the presentation of filings and applications (i.e. by-laws to the Treasury Attorney Office, to the court, to the registries, etc.) need to be signed by an attorney (either as an agent or counsel of founders). The organization of companies by attorneys acting through Powers of Attorney is also a common practice. The estimate of the cost to complete this formality is 2 to 3% of the paid-in capital stock of the company or a minimum of $600. The attorney's fee for this particular task is established in the Attorney's Fees Law No. 1376/88, Art. 72 (1) .

Procedure 3. Notarize the Company's Deeds

Time to complete: 3 days

Cost to complete: 0.75%-2% of the paid-in capital stock of the Company , depending on the capital

Comment: The Notary's fee for this particular task is established in the Notary's Fees Law. Usually a licensed attorney drafts the by-laws while the notarization (public deed to be included in the Notary's protocol and registered at the public registries) is done by a licensed Public Notary. Attorneys are not legally authorized to notarize or certify documents.

To finish reading, go to Allo' Expat

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Useful Info

Business hours

Government offices are open 7am to 1pm or 2pm, without siesta time. Most shops are open weekdays and Saturday from 7am to noon and from 2pm or 3pm until 7pm or 8pm. Banking hours are 7:30am to noon weekdays, but casas de cambio keep longer hours. Restaurants normally open for lunch and dinner (7pm until late) with a break in the afternoon. Cafés keep varying hours and, although not early starters, will be more likely to open for breakfast, coffees and snacks.

To read complete article, go to Lonely Planet.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Economy information on Paraguay

Market economy with a large informal sector with re-export of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries and the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors.

High proportion of population relies on agriculture. Underdeveloped infrastructure.

Gross Domestic Product: - $USD25 billion (2002 estimate)
Gross Domestic Product - real growth rate: -2% (2002 estimate)
Gross Domestic Product - per capita: - $USD4,200 (2002 estimate)
Gross Domestic Product make-up by sector:
agriculture sector : 27%
industrial sector: 27%
service sector: 46% (2001)

Population below level of poverty: 36% (2001 estimate)
Household % income:
lowest 10%: below 1%
highest 10%: 43% (1998 estimates)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (2002 estimates)
Labour force: 2 million (2000 estimates)
Labour force - by occupation: agriculture sector 45%

To see all the information, got to learn-spanish-help.com

Friday, September 11, 2009

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Energy Deal With Brazil Gives Boost to Paraguay

For decades Paraguayans have protested the raw deal they got when their dictatorship-era government decided to build the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant with Brazil along their shared border.

While Brazil used the Itaipú dam to help develop its cities and industries, Paraguay was forced to sell its excess capacity to Brazil at preferential rates.

Fernando Lugo, a former Roman Catholic bishop who was elected president of Paraguay last year, vowed to change that, making a renegotiation of Itaipú one of his chief campaign pledges.

On Saturday, Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, agreed to triple Paraguay’s income from Itaipú, and to allow Paraguay to sell its power to Brazil at market rates.

To read full article, go to nytimes.com

Paraguay's map


Ver mapa más grande

About Paraguay

Paraguay is a country of fascinating contrasts. It’s rustic and sophisticated. It’s extremely poor and obscenely wealthy. It boasts exotic natural reserves and massive man-made dams. It is a place where horses and carts pull up by Mercedes Benz cars, artisans’ workshops abut glitzy shopping centers and Jesuit ruins in rural villages near Encarnación are just a few kilometers from sophisticated colonial towns like Asunción. Steamy subtropical rainforests with metallic butterflies contrast with the dry and wild frontier of Northern Paraguay & the Chaco. Here, many Mennonites have created their haven, living alongside some of the country’s many indigenous groups, while the European influence is particularly strong in the laid-back towns like Filadelfia and the more chaotic capital.
To read more, go to Lonely Planet.