Although absent from much of the country there are a number of shopping centers scattered across Asuncion. These range in size from walk through galleries to constructions occupying a block or more. Also their ages vary greatly. Some have stood for many years whilst others are being added all the time.

Fortunately three of the largest are located within walking distance of each other a few kilometres from the city center. Although they have many similarities their differences are sufficient to each offer a unique shopping experience.

They are in both order of location and luxury Shopping Mariscal, Shopping del Sol and Paseo la Galeria.

The first of these, Shopping Mariscal is a multi level arcade with a number of larger stores and mixture of levels of expense. Of the three it is the best for general shopping.

It sits back from the road hidden behind the rectangular 1970s block of Villa Morra shopping, Villa Morra being the first dedicated shopping center built in the vicinity has the prime roadside location.

Shopping Mariscal sits one block back but towers over its older companion. It was opened to the public in 1996. At the time the opening of a modern shopping center was a major event and was presided over by the them president.

As with all the shopping centers in Asuncion it is built in the style of an American Mall. The original building contains shops on a number of levels linked by escalators and a lift. The upper floor is given over entirely to a department store. The only shop large enough to permit casual wandering and browsing.

Half of the floor below that was previously given over to the food hall. However this was moved to an extension which was opened in 2016.

This is linked to the older building by a raised walkway and has almost doubled the size of the shopping center.

Next, a few minutes walk down the road is Shopping del Sol. This markets itself a slightly more up market than Shopping Mariscal. Very few large stores are to be found here. Instead many of the outlets are boutiques with just enough space to display their wares.

The different bland of shops does mean the some items that cannot be found in Shopping Mariscal can be found there. On the whole though prices are a little higher.

Like its neighbour Shopping del Sol also has a large food hall. The choice of restaurants is even wider. As with all shopping center food halls the quality of the food is excellent.

The center itself is built on just two levels. Long, straight and ideal for a promenade. It too has recently been extended. Making the main building longer and extending the food hall so that the restaurants are now across two levels. Like Shopping Mariscal these extensions opened in 2016.

From there it is just a short further walk to the reason for the facelift the older centers received. Paseo la Galeria, which opened for business in 2016.

This center is large and modern. Full of sweeping lines. The shops within are spread across three floors with a large open central space which makes the center bright and airy.

Within it there is much to look at but little that is inexpensive. The majority of the stores are outlets of North American chains with prices on a level with those in their home territories.

Once again there is a large and spacious food hall. In addition a sizable external area has been set aside for terrace dining.

In keeping with its upmarket image Paseo la Galeria also has a hotel connected to the shopping complex and a large electronically controlled under ground car park.

These shopping center although a distance from the city center are directly connected to it. They are all well worth visiting and as none are truly huge all three can be explored in half a day.

For most of the days through most of the year they are far from crowded. Ideal places for an air conditioned stroll away from the glare of the sun.

That in fact does seem to be what many people use them for. The shops are without crowds and the tills without queues. It is uncommon to see someone with an arm full of bags. There must though be enough business to make their while as it is very rare to see a shop close down.

There is though one location in all of them which pays the wages day in day out. The food halls. At lunch time almost every table may be occupied. At the same shoppers through the rest of the complex can be very thinly spread.

The choice of foods on offer make the food halls very popular with the people in Asuncion. There is sufficient variety to satisfy school children, family groups and office workers. Each of whom may be seeking something very different.

Everything from burger bars to gourmet barbecues is on offer. Along with all that is between.

I have had many good meals in the various food halls. Paraguayan, Chinese and Italian to name but a few.

So what the shopping centers lack in cultural heritage they make up for with modernity and convenience.

It is also a more relaxing shopping experience than a store along a street or a market where the shop assistants are prone to leap upon any potential customers. A less authentic way of shopping it may be but it is also far easier.