Chicks and Onions

Solved 2 small problems: crossing the border to Paraguay with a valid stamp and spent the rest of the Brazilian Reais and now a millionaire in Guarani. The warnings in the lonely planet are very forceful: you should persuade the bus driver to stop at the passport control, because residents of Mercosur countries don't need to show a passport or stamp. Otherwise, fines are to be expected. After one last Skol Beer, I weighed it up again: can I cross over to Ciudad del Este, the border town, with the remaining 18.50R$ - without walking for miles with my backpack? the old clattering bus from Paraguay comes to mind, since conveniently I had my hotel at the international bus station.

By the way, good hotel, the Luz - top modern inside - outside, meh. The taxi drivers also didn't want to miss out on the business, after I asked about the price. The clattering bus was significantly cheaper at 6R$ (taxi 20R$). The taxi driver even followed me and talked through the open bus door. The bus driver waved it off coolly, telling me to get on and not to listen to the Brazilian. The clattering bus was occupied by about 50 sacks of onions and 2 boys. It smelled like onions. Along the zigzag course through Foz do Iguacu, more and more passengers got on - all border commuters after work - Chicas. That's why I call it the bus of Chicas and Cebollas. Of course, the bus didn't stop at the passport control and the border police didn't care about the bus either. What tourist would get on there? Before I could make myself noticed (because of the density of Chicas, coolness was required - obviously!) - squeak - clatter - crash. The bus stopped and the door opened. I quickly got off with my backpack and the bus kept driving, stinking. It was good that I walked the 200m back - the officer was cool too and didn't ask any questions - with my polite greeting in passable Spanish and made a nice fat red stamp - all good - phew! Then the gauntlet through the hordes of merchants began - I was addressed as amigo about 100 times - taxi - electronics --- The funniest were the yellow motorcycle taxis - seriously, they also offered their services - I had to laugh for real - with the heavy backpack. I explained to one taxi driver truthfully - 'no tengo dinero' (you know the song) - 'no plata no taxi' he replied understandingly. Plata (silver) is what money is called in South America. To the left towards the bus station there are ATMs, should it be a specific one - I had to laugh again. Finally, I withdrew almost a million Guarani (1 € is 6800G). The last 3 zeros are omitted for simplicity. I took the first hotel that looked passable - room price 306,000G - easily converted thanks to a currency app - all clear! I like Paraguay despite the chaos! It was also like the miracle of Pentecost - suddenly I understand the people and they understand me - whew! The Spanish course paid off.