Top 10 Little Things I Miss Most About America
(Family, friends and pets excluded)
10. Light Beer - I am not a huge drinker these days- but when I do sip on a cold one, I really enjoy a light beer. Whether it's because it taste great or less filling is irrelevant here in South America because light beer is almost non existent. Will someone please buy me an Ultra this coming weekend?
9. Normal Internet/Computers - Internet Cafes are everywhere here, but there's almost always something wrong. Either the speed is ridiculously slow, or the computers don't recognize my flash drive or the worst problem: the keyboard is totally different-numbers and letters are the same but things like @ and ? and ! are impossible to find on the keyboards down here.
8. Fixed Prices - Yes, bargaining for something is kind of fun but it's getting old. I'm looking forward to grabbing an item off the store shelf, looking at the price and either buying it or not buying it. I am so tired of asking a store attendant how much something is and getting the response: How much you want to pay?
7. Electric Outlets - Here in South America they are either nowhere to be found when you need them or they are totally different. Yes, I've heard of adapters and I have them with me but it's not always that simple. To plug in a laptop- in most places you have to have 2 or 3 adapters.
6. Movies - I am an avid movie goer and I am so far out of the loop its ridiculous. I can't wait to hit the theatre back home.
5. Washer and Dryer - Mrs. Gladys had a washer and dryer and did my clothes for me back in Ecuador but since leaving there it is always an issue when it's time to do clothes. In order to find someone to do your clothes, you usually have to go to the touristy areas and the price is ridiculous in Santiago I paid 8 bucks for one load of clothes. If you are lucky enough to find one that's not in gringo land, then you have to go through intense negotiations first (See #8 on this list). And there's always the possibility of not having one around. See this blog.
4. Tap Water/Hot Water - This is a pretty big one. I never realized how much I took for granted having good, clean tap water. For 3 months- no tap water, which also means: No ice, no cooking or making coffee without going out and buying bottled water first, no water fountains, etc... As for hot water, it is a luxury here to have hot water, which means most of the time shaving sucks.
3. Paper - I think I mentioned in a blog early on that the places here have a problem giving you real napkins. This wasn't just in Quito, it has been almost everywhere I've gone. It's like they have a massive paper shortage here or maybe they are afraid there will be one, I don't know. And it's not just napkins, but regular paper as well, and worse of all toilet paper! If you are lucky enough to find a public restroom with toilet paper, 9 times out of 10 they charge you for it!!!
2. Adherence to Traffic Rules - This is pretty self explanatory. No matter how bad we think traffic or drivers are back at home, I promise you it could be much, much worse.If they have traffic lights or signs- NO ONE bothers to pay them any attention! Everyone who's ever thought driving was dangerous in the U.S. needs to take a cab from the Lima airport to the Miraflores area of Lima. It's bad everywhere I've been , but this one ride alone- I swear someone should turn it into a video game. Very scary.
And the number one little thing I miss most about America...
1. Coffee - There are so many things different about the coffee here, but the main problem is that no person, household or business seems to use coffee pots here. They don't brew it. It's always the same- you order a coffee and they bring you a cup of hot water or hot milk, a spoon, and a bottle of Nescafe instant coffee mix. When I get home, I don't even need Starbucks or CCs. I'll be happy with a cup of coffee straight out of an actual coffee pot.
More tomorrow from Miami!
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