Some things here are not like the other...

Now that I've been here for over a month, I'd like to comment on some of the differences I've noticed between my life in the United States and life here in San Miguel.  Some are obvious, while others are more subtle.  DISCLAIMER:  These things are not necessarily true for all of Mexico (but some are).

1. Traffic laws
With only two traffic lights in the entire city (someone told me there are 2, but I have yet to see either) and no stop signs at four-way intersection (except in the round-abouts), people tend to drive following a mutually understood law of common courtesy. It's a strange experience at first, seeing people pause at intersections, wave others on, and choose an opportune moment to drive on through.  As my host father Alex would say, the only rule you need to know is "Primero las guapas" (first the pretty girls).  No one seems to get angry at each other.  If there's a misunderstanding about who goes first, the interaction usually ends in a smile, a wave, muchas gracias and buenos dias.  I wonder what Mexicans in the United States think of all the road rage, profanities, honking, and gestures in our country despite the rules of traffic lights, stop signs, and intersections.  Maybe things work better their way.  At least, they seem a lot happier than we do.

2. Dogs, dogs, dogs
There are endless amounts of stray dogs here in Mexico.  Every neighborhood, every street corner, every school, and every doorstep it seems.  It's sad to see so many dogs wandering without homes, begging for food, mangy and feral.  Before I came to Mexico, I wasn't sure why the rabies vaccine was recommended.  Now I see why with so many dogs running around.  Although I have to say, I have yet to encounter an aggressive one.  They're mostly searching for food and wary of people because so many of the children here abuse them.


3. Saying "hello"
When you greet someone here in Mexico, whether it be good morning, good afternoon, or good evening, you always give them a kiss on the cheek.  When I studied abroad in Spain, it was a double kiss, but here just a single kiss suffices.  It seems to usually be the right cheek, but sometimes I forget and get locked into an awkward game of "Which Way Is Your Face/Kiss Heading?"  No worries though.  I usually recover well by charming them with my witty Spanish banter...  In general, I've found it's a friendly and affectionate way to greet someone and to be greeted.  In the U.S. we like to keep people at an arm's length (literally) with a handshake.  Sometimes handshakes even feel too formal.  Then there are those people that just go straight for a hug.  I like the happy medium of the cheek peck.

4. Shorts
So I'm a big fan of shorts.  In fact, I only brought one pair of pants with me to Mexico.  Apparently, it's not too common for women to wear shorts here.  Oops.  Again, no worries.  Jamie and I still wear our shorts pretty much everyday.  One day we were on a walk, and someone starting singing to us, "Caminando por kilometros de concreto..." (Walking over kilometers of concrete).  It had a lovely melody.