Louise write a lovely blog about her idyllic life in Italy, and a post she did the other day caught my attention, 10 Rule for Life (In Carmine). I wanted to do the same thing for Paraguay but got so hung up on the driving that I decided to do a series (hopefully).
10 Rules for Driving in Paraguay
1. The buses always win. Never, ever, ever fight with a bus. Word on the street says many bus companies are run by a "bus mafia" and they will not pay for any damages they inflict on your car. I don't know if that's true, but a parallel rule is, "the biggest vehicle always wins".
2. Buy a jiggleproof car. Don't know if they actually exist, but we have had decent luck with toyotas. The cobblestone roads (not charming, rustic), huge pot holes and debris in the road will shake anything off your car. Along with this rule is the one
"cup holders in your car are useless" because you can not drink and drive unless you like to bathe in coffee on your way to work.3. Learn which stop signs matter. There are stop signs all over town but not everyone stops for them. On one stretch of road I frequent there are 2 stop signs, but you only stop at one. Stopping at the other puts you at risk for being rear ended. Similarily, there is another road with out a stop sign that every stops at. You just gotta know these things. If you don't know, you shouldn't be there, is the unspoken message.
4. A two lane road can easily become a three lane road. Or even a four lane, it just depends on how many cars will fit in the space. Defensive driving is key as you must learn to dodge vehicles coming at you in your lane. One way streets are not a rigid rule either.
5. Speed bumps are not identified. You can usually tell you are approaching one when
the car in front of you screeches to a slow. If you don't see it and hit it fast, then its like an amusement park ride. Since we don't have amusement parks in Paraguay and occasional toss through the air is exciting. .. unless you break you axel or puncture the oil pan in the process. There is currently a lot of controversy as to whether or not the city should paint speed bumps.
6. Passing on the right is allowed. Along with passing on the left. Just do whatever will get you to your destination fastest. Again, driving defensively is key.
7. Most Paraguayan vehicles are made without turn signals. Well, I don't actually know that, but I have never seen anyone use one, so I am assuming they just don't have them.
8. If you hit a motorcyle, its your fault. They can pass you on the right, or the left, rear end you, swerve in front of you. . . . any number of things. But if you hit one of those guys, be prepared to pay. This negates the rule "the biggest vehicle always wins".
9. A solitary policeman is usually trouble. Since they tend to around in groups of at least two, its suspect to see one alone. If he pulls you over, you can count on the fact that he will be looking for lunch money or shoes for his kids. In other words, they don't want their coworkers to see what they are doing. Do you think its dishonest?
10. Watch for trees in the road. I only wish I had a picture for this one. All over the city there are trees right in the middle of the road. They are even landmarks, "my house is by the palm tree in the middle of the road". Rumor has it that when the streets were made, they left the trees so that tanks could never get down the streets of Asuncion. I have also heard that denied. Its quaint.
Let me just clarify that I love, love driving in Paraguay. No video game was ever so exciting. In general, the drivers are kind and friendly and will let you in if you need to merge and give you the thumbs up to assure you all is well if you make a driving mistake. Not much honking here, rather big smiles abound.
Real adventure, though, is driving in Lima, Peru. But thats another post.
I'm sure my fellow expats or visitors to Paraguay have observed some rules of their own. What are your rules for driving in Paraguay?
20 responses to this post:
As one who has been a passenger in Brenda's car in Paraguay--I can say that I will NEVER drive in Paraguay! Takes more courage and hutzpah than I've got and kuddos to all of you brave souls who learn to do it! I thought it was an act of great bravery just to cross the streets and she is sooo right about those buses--they'd take you out in an instant, even as a pedestrian! It was truly an adventure (I closed my eyes a lot!) to even be a passenger! Lisa
Great post Brenda!! Loved it.
You are so right on with all of these! Of course you have 8 years of experiences. I have just driven a few time in Asuncion and will take all of these rules to heart for the next time!
I didn't actually drive in Lima, Peru, but I was driven by the insane taxi drivers! What a ride. I am surprised that we are still living. No one follows any traffic laws there. I don't think they even believe in traffic laws!
Rules? There are NO rules. Each man for himself...the goal is to survive. Those are my rules anyway. I don't drive downtown though...no license yet, still waiting. :(
My one and only rule for driving in Paraguay is..Don't drive if you can get some one else to do it!
These rules are all true! And it is true, they rarely honk! I had not taken notice of that until I read this.
Love this post, Brenda!
Hilarious! I too love driving in Paraguay and hate Lima. That's an adventure I don't want to repeat any time soon.
Other rules: If you're driving a motorcycle, wear your helmet on your arm, not on your head. (That's what everybody else does)
Speed bumps are mostly unmarked.
If you're turning left, get into the far right lane and turn left after all cars have passed.
If you're driving in Ciudad del Este, it's a free for all and no rules apply!
Happy Driving:)
You failed to mention driving in the rain. The puddles can be quite fun.
Any blog drama over this post yet? :)
That is crazy...but whatever works.
My rule is: Take a taxi! I'm not sure I'll ever be brave enough to drive there! :) Another rule is: Be careful when riding in a car without air-conditioning and the windows are rolled down and a car driving by you speeds through a giant puddle and the whole splash comes in the window right on you! That HAS happened to me in Asuncion when I had on a new blouse worn for the first time and had to throw it away because the oil stains never came out even after soaking it overnight in pure bleach! Oh well!
all the bumps and stuff, sounds like youre driving through detroit! lol
My number one rule: Close my eyes through certain parts of town. My husband swears he was born to drive here (and works hard to prove it), so I have no choice but to use my imaginary brake and close my eyes, or pass out from fear.
Next rule: Don't look away from the road at night. Not only are farm animals a regular occurence, but most motorcycles (and some cars) drive without their lights on at night, and you don't know you're coming up behind a slow one until it's RIGHT THERE!!
A personal one: Don't back up until you have actually walked past the back of your car, because scooters and motorcycles can be hidden out of view of your mirrors. I learned this one the hard way. Not fun to back over a motorcycle.
One more: If coming to a regular police stop (we pass several on the way into Asuncion), try to stay close behind another vehicle. They don't usually pull two over at once, so you get grace from being in the right place at the right time. Doesn't always work that way, but more often than not.
PS--The taxis and buses in Lima were enough for me--I don't think I'd EVER drive there, or ride along with my hubby should he take the notion. I haven't actually driven in Asuncion either, but I do okay in the smaller towns out here. Well, most days. ;)
Buy a jiggle proof car?!?!?!?!? That is perfect!
Great post! Sounds like driving in Rome where the cars actually drive on the pavements! Used to happen in Fiji too!
Would you like to enter this post in my blog carnival for ex-pats that I'm putting together over the weekend?
So, so true. I am a Paraguayan and I´ve learnt to drive like, 1 and a half year ago. I feel a smarter person after that. And a courageous one, too.
BIG TRUTHS to take into account:
-biggest car always wins. I do hope someday I´ll buy my Hummer -a bus might be a little bit hard to maneuver at Mcal. Lopez Shopping´s parking space.
-Never take anything for granted. The moment you step on the gas, there will be someone turning the blog without the lights.
-Beware of Calle Última. There are people so desperate for money that they actually throw themselves in front of cars so they get injured and get money. Some of them get killed, too, but they have family watching, so you don´t run from the scene. Be especially careful if you have a Mercedes, BMW, or a fancy car.
I use the turn lights even if I am on a road that nobody goes. So if you see a silver Nissan Tiida with the turn lights on, that´s me :)
correction: the block* hehe
I think I would prefer you to do the driving!! Sounds very exciting, who would need an amusement park when you've got all of this?
I enjoyed reading this!
Sounds like driving in Europe, especially Eastern Europe. Crazy! And yes, I think it's wrong for the police to be extortionists.
Found you through Planet Nomad/Lady Fi blog carnival... very entertaining post. I've never been to Paraguay, but we did live in Italy for a time and I must say I thought those drivers were quite crazy.
It was certainly interesting for me to read the blog. Thanx for it. I like such themes and anything connected to this matter. I definitely want to read a bit more on that blog soon.
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