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 #15, we meet Esteban González from the United States.
Meet Esteban González
Esteban González (23) is from Atlanta, Georgia, in the U.S. He has been living in Paraguay for right about a year.
How do you like living in Paraguay?
“I love it. Living here is very convenient for a lot of reasons. When it comes to my routine, habits and day to day things I am able to get them done here. There is a great combination of very friendly welcoming locals with foreigners who are just as friendly and are here for good reasons.”
“There is a level of energy in the air that you just do not feel in other places. With the conversations you have with people, the developments I see in the streets, the way the city changes right before your eyes in no time. Asunción has a real soul. In which its brightest days are ahead, instead of behind.”
In that light of development, what will be different a year from now?
“The obvious answer would just be concrete and metal. Buildings that you see going up all the time. Also, businesses popping everywhere, Instagram pages with new businesses, products, communities, and nightlife events. Therefore, I can think of several things that I have access to now, that I did not have a year ago. And from now, overtime, give it a bit of time, and it is all just going to grow even bigger.”
What are you doing in Paraguay?
“I am working in the real state sector. Every day I am learning about all of the growth that is happening in that field. That means networking with people from the industry, and staying plugged in with the expat community, as well with local residents and developers. In particular, it is interesting to see how those two communities evolve together and do business together. I also create content about living and enjoying life here in Paraguay. Finally, I host events that bring together expats and locals to create a really enjoyable environment for all of us.”
What is your favourite place in Asunción, and why?
“I have two favourite places. First, Mercado 4. I go there all the time, to buy anything and everything. When I go there, I have a lot of fun. It is an adventure every time to go and explore and find something new. I love the energy at the market, and the entrepreneurial spirit of the people. It makes me feel alive, and it is inspiring to be around people like that.”
“Second would be Distrito Perseverancia. This is a multi-use commercial centre and real estate development in northern Asunción. It is nice, new and very well taken care of. I like the aesthetic, and just walking around and talking on the phone. Furthermore, the terrace on the top is beautiful and a great place to catch sunlight. It is a great place to record content, too. In addition, this development is emblematic for the total development of Paraguay: The energy of growth in Asunción can be seen here.”
What is your favourite place outside of Asunción, and why?
“Paraguarí with its awesome nature. If you want to leave Asunción to see beautiful nature, Paraguarí is just a couple of hours of drive away. Just drive there and see some cool hills.”
What do you love most about Paraguay?
“The future. In Paraguay’s future I see the country becoming a place where its potential becomes truly realised. At the moment, it is a place that has all of the building blocks for an incredible country. Furthermore, it has an incredibly rich culture, a very good central location in the middle of South America, a stable economy and currency.”
“On top of that there is fertile and abundant land, good people and a strong identity, abundant access to power and energy, and a relative stable climate. There are no earthquakes or hurricanes here. You look at all of these things and think that it should be a global heavy hitter on the world stage. And it is not yet, but I strongly believe that it will become that with more ingenuity, creative ideas, more cultural development overall time. It is inevitable.”
What do you miss from home?
“Aside from my parents and closest friends, I do not miss much at all. I do miss getting fast food in my car though, and then cruise on the highway listening to music for hours.”
If you would move away tomorrow, what would you absolutely take with you from Paraguay?
“I would take my thermos with ice, burrito, mint and lemon. If I had that back in the U.S., it would make me feel better, but I still be bummed out that I would not be in Paraguay. But at least the water coming out of the thermos would be very good.”
Meet Esteban González
You can find Esteban González on Instagram, or better yet, you may bump into him 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.
Previous episodes of People of Asunción:
People Of Asuncion #14, Adam Venning From Canada: “I Just Feel At Home In Paraguay”
People Of Asuncion #13, Lana Pedro From Brazil: “I Came To Paraguay And Found Many Opportunities”
People Of Asuncion #12, Diego Royg From Paraguay: “You Can Make A Lot Of Quality Friendships Here”
