Some things are a little different

Many of the things I share on my blog are surprisingly normal and quite unremarkable . I got to thinking about my life here and realized that in so many ways it is like my life in the United States. I am able to keep up my exercise/hobbies of running and biking, I eat pretty normal foods, I go to work, I hang out with my (host) family. The more I thought about it, though, I realized it only feels normal because I'm used to it. After my 9 months here there are many things that don't strike me as different anymore. I realized if any of my friends or family members from the U.S. were here these things would be confusing, baffling, uncomfortable or just plain weird. I started making a mental list of difference I found, and here it is:

Food/Kitchen Stuff

You eat rice and beans at breakfast lunch and dinner. (I personally don't because I choose to buy my own breakfast food: granola and yogurt; for dinner I usually eat eggs, salad or fruit.)

The big meal of the day is lunch. Many people, especially in rural communities go home and eat with their families. 

A hamburger or steak is a completely normal, acceptable breakfast.

Cookies, cakes, sweetbreads, cinnamon rolls and all other pastries are called bread. Bread is also called bread. Any of the above are acceptable for breakfast or to eat during coffee hour. Sugar cookies decorated with colored frosting for breakfast? Sounds weird, but it's "bread".

You don't refrigerate eggs.

The oven isn't used a lot. Many houses don't even have ovens. For those who do have one, it is primarily used to store things (food, pots and pans). Check inside before firing it up, I learned from experience.

Mayonaise is by far the most popular condiment. It is used on everything. Vegetables, salad, sandwiches, even fish.

Ketchup is the second favorite condiment. Often used in combination with mayo it also goes on everything. Ketchup here tastes different than American ketchup.

Salt is used a lot to season food, but no one uses black pepper.

Most people eat their meals with a large spoon, not a fork.

Almost all yogurt is liquid. Except for Yoplait brand all yogurt comes in bottles and is drinkable.

Coffee in the afternoon is a cultural tradition. "Cafecito", as it's called, is usually between 3 and 4 pm.

Potato chips are often eaten with re-fried beans.

When you drink soda or beer you are given a glass with ice and you just poor about a half a glass at a time. This is so it doesn't get warm. If you just drink it from the bottle it gets warm really fast.

Around the house

Many homes don't have a hot shower. Those that do have an electric showerhead that heats the water.

You always throw your toilet paper into the trash can, not the toilet. The sewer system can't handle paper.

It is common to shower 2 or more times a day. Mostly becuase you get so darn sweaty. You also should not skip a shower after working out, very much against cultural norms.

People brush their teeth at least 3 times a day. Teachers and students at school all carry toothbrushes with them for after lunch.

It is common to have walls that are made out of cinder block or part of a wall that consists only of lattice; a house with walls that are "open" is not uncommon at all.

Floors are either cement or tile in most houses. I have not seen a single house with carpet or wood. (I think wood would warp.)

Electricity is considered the most expensive utility.

Around town

High school, which is 7th to 12th grade, starts at 7am and goes until 4:30

Elementary students (1st-6th) go to school either in the morning or the afternoon, alternating every week. They go either 7 to 12:30 or 12:30 to 5.

There are no school sports teams or musical groups. The only exception is if your school has a marching band.

There are gates in front of the school and a guard who has to let you in.

The school is not one big building, but many with outdoor hallways.

There are dogs who live on or around the school grounds and wander around all day, sometimes coming into the classrooms.

The most common form of transportation is the bus. The buses that run outside of the bigger cities are, depending on your location, old school buses, old charter buses, old city buses or if your lucky a new version of any of the above.

The going rate for the bus is about $1.50 for every hour of travel.

A person can get a driver's license at age 18.

The legal drinking age is 18.

Roosters and hens are literally all over the place. In the country or in town.

Supermarkets carry a few fruits and vegetables, most people buy them at shops and stands that specialize in fruits or vegetables.

Women almost always have a pedicure on their toes. Fancily painted with flowers and other designs.

Women wear high heels a lot, even if there are no paved roads where they are.

Soccer is the one any only sport anyone cares about.

People here use umbrellas whenever it's raining, not raincoats. The only people who have raincoats are men who ride motorcycles, for riding in the rain.

Motorcycles here often carry 2 to 4 grown men. It is also acceptable to carry babies and small children on motorcycles. They usually sit in front of the driver, or the mom holds the baby on the back.


So, that's quite a list. I'll keep noting them. It's kind of funny to think about what I don't even notice anymore.