Disclaimer: I don't want to sound culturally insensitive, but these are just some things that continue to befuddle me...
1) Boarding buses is like a rat race, every time it's like the bus is the last bus and if you don't get on it you're doomed. I've literally seen people elbow other people to get into the bus first. I always lag back a little bit and I'm always amazed when I get on to see that half the bus is empty and there are still plenty of available seats. Yet, the other day I finally understood why people push, shove, and fight their way onto the bus because I didn't and unfortunately had to stand the whole hour and half back to my town.
2) The amount of oil and sugar used everyday - urgh. My host mom informed me the other day that the last bit of the gallon of oil used in dinner had lasted 20 days. What?!? In the States, I've bought a container of oil, much smaller than a gallon, and have had to throw it out before using it all because it's been so old. Also, adding sugar to bottles of milk? I don't really think it's necessary and maybe without the sugar, the dental hygiene would improve too.
3) Cold showers! You all think that Nicaragua is this hot and humid tropical country, but in the mountains it's chilly at night and in the early mornings. I don't look forward ice baths and I haven't acclimated yet, because everyday I get out of the shower someone in the house says "Tiene frio" (You're cold) and everyday I reply through chattering teeth "Si" (yes). Also, another thing that doesn't have me excited about my cold showers. I was reading a fitness magazine the other day that was discussing the issue of how your body acclimates to routines; it was discussing the importance to changing workout routines in order to avoid plateaus, and exemplify this they stated, "if you plunged yourself into ice cold water everyday your body would adapt by building a layer of subcutaneous fat to protect itself from the cold" LOVELY!
4) My mom reported that Wisconsin doesn't have snow yet and it was in the 40s the other day. Seriously, the one winter I skip and it's not even really Wisconsin winter. Last year at this time I had already had to shovel my car out of several feet of snow, multiple times; and suffered through bitterly frigid temperatures. We joked that when I come to visit in July there will be snow, and if that happens then I'll actually start to believe my host family's belief that the end of the world is December 21, 2012. Prepare yourselves!
5) Ramen Noodles are a delicacy. Except they are referred to by the brand, Marchuen. And they are eaten with ketchup and crema. I do feel kind of bad about how I responded to my family's questions about the food, but I did tell the truth. They wanted to know if I tried them, how much they cost, etc. I told them that you can buy a pallet of them for about $5 and a lot of college students eat them because they're cheap. I don't really like them and I especially don't want them with ketchup (I didn't really say the last part, but it's the truth).
There are many other things that still surprise me in good and bad ways, but these are just the fresh topics of this week.
I hope you're all doing well. I miss you all. I can't believe that Christmas is only 10 days away :( I really wish that I could be home to celebrate with you all. Again, enjoy all the Christmas time goodies for me.
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