People from every corner of the globe are drawn to Asunción, where Paraguay’s laid-back capital has quietly become a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and ambition. Each Tuesday evening from 18:00 to 21:00, digital nomads, expats, and friendly locals come together at the ever-popular English networking event organised by The Asunción Times. Held in a different charming bar or restaurant across the city every week, these gatherings offer the perfect blend of Paraguayan warmth and international energy. In this People of Asunción series, we introduce the inspiring individuals who make this scene so uniquely alive. In #14, Adam Venning from Canada.
Meet Adam Venning
Adam Venning (36) is from Toronto, Canada. He works on virtual finance and has been living in Paraguay for a year and a half.
What is your favourite place in Asunción, and why?
“Well, actually I have two favourite places. I live in downtown, so here my favourite parts are Palma and Avenida Quinta. My other favourite place is Carmelitas.”
What is your favourite place outside of Asunción, and why?
“The truth is that I have not travelled as much as I should have. But I have been to Ciudad del Este, which was very nice.”
What do you love most about Paraguay?
“It is a long answer. Okay, so the first thing, and this is what everyone has to understand. Paraguayans are wonderful people and they are very welcoming. And I do not know why that is, because most foreigners that come here are crazy. But that is my opinion. I am crazy too. They have been very kind to me. The people are the most important thing. For me though, one of the biggest things is the climate. I come from a place where eight months of the year is cold. I have spent two thirds of my life in the cold and I love the heat.”
What do you miss from home?
“It is not the climate. Obviously, I miss my family. I have young nieces and nephews that I miss a lot. In Canada and the United States, things happen quicker. So, I want something on the internet, I can get it very easily. There are many things here that I just can not get, or maybe I can and I do not know how to get it”.
If you would move away tomorrow, what would you absolutely take with you from Paraguay?
“Oh God. I would take away a real love and real respect for Paraguay and South America. I just think it is a very special and magical place. And I do not know if people here realise that and certainly people outside of South America do not realise that. South America is an enigma. But I would take away a genuine love and respect for this continent. The truth is I think South America is a very special place full of special people”.
Why Paraguay?
“First of all, the climate. Second, the people. Third of all, lets just be transparent here: it is very easy to immigrate here. But all of that is not why I am here. I wanted to move from Canada. I spent a year in Vietnam and I love that country so much. But Asian countries are hard to immigrate to and their languages are very hard too. Which is fine, I think it is great for them.
But I wanted a place to live. So, then I went to Panama, which I love, I went to Colombia and Argentina, and I love those countries. But in my head, I think I am going to check Paraguay because of the easy immigration. But the answer is really simple. I just feel it is a good place full of good people.”
Meet Adam
You may bump into Adam in person at one of The Asunción Times English networking events – every Tuesday from 18:00 to 21:00, popping up in a different lively bar or restaurant across Asunción. Check our What’s On Guide to find out exactly where the next one will take place.
Read previous episodes of People of Asunción:
People Of Asuncion #13, Lana Pedro From Brazil: “I Came To Paraguay And Found Many Opportunities”
People Of Asuncion #12, Diego Royg From Paraguay: “There Are A Lot Of Quality Friendships You Can Make Here”
People Of Asunción #11, Manelle Mairif From France: “The Best Thing About Paraguay Are Paraguayans”
