Fun differences between the US and Peru

After traveling to the USA a few weekends ago, I thought I would write about some of the things I found interesting and some differences I noticed between America and Peru - don't get me wrong, there are a lot of differences, but some are just more striking or life impacting than others. Peru friends: let me know if you have any to add! :)



Things I can't seem to find in Lima (which I actually seem to miss):
-Bud Light
-Chocolate chips (there is one brand of chocolate "flavored" chips, and they are bad and expensive)
-Books in English that don't suck
-Peanut butter that doesn't cost $8 or suck
-Cool Whip (via Dan Pastorius)

Random American things I can get easily in Lima:
-Snickers, M&Ms
-Kraft Mac n' Cheese
-Kraft Singles
-Reddi Whip
-Lay's Potato Chips
-Miller Genuine Draft (ew)
-Boone's Farm
-Jim Beam and Jack Daniels
-Free ATMs!! I can use an International bank named ScotiaBank and get money out without a fee. 

Things that are still odd/annoying to me about South America:
-The elastic and ever-changing concept of "on time" and time in general. "I'll be there in 15 minutes" might mean: a) 15-20 minutes, b) 2 hours, or c) "I had no intention of actually showing up, but I am trying to be polite and not tell you that." (or the converse, d) you walk into a meeting 30 seconds late and everyone is already there and stares at you...its mind-boggling)

-No toilet seats on the toilets (why!?!). Just the porcelain. And usually no toilet paper. And you throw the paper in the trash can. That's right, ALL paper goes into a trash can next to the toilet....this one might scare off a few Americans.

-Blatant disregard for anything even resembling traffic laws (like lanes, passing, or right of way) BESIDES wearing your seat belt (but only in the front seat....safety first?). This lack of rules also applies to any line as well (like to get on a bus, purchase something, etc)

-Complete lack of any emission laws - so much pollution! When I come home and wash my face, the water runs black :(

-Triple carbs at every meal (rice, potatoes/fries and bread....plus juice and dessert sometimes)

-Complete lack of heating...you just wear all your layers inside, too.

-Serious cat-calling: whistles, noises, kissy faces, whispers, shouts...you name it, I've ignored it.

-Never carrying a purse with valuables: Sometimes I carry a bag with a book or other little stuff, but my money/keys/cell phone are always in my pockets.

-Sub-par showers. Usually no pressure, sometimes only lukewarm water, and sometimes you get electrocuted from the electric water heaters in the shower head.

-Hanging my laundry to dry: Thought it would grow on me, but my jeans never fit right and some of my shirts get all stretched out. Grr. However, getting laundry done for you is super cheap :)

-CENTIMOS: Ugh. 1 centimo = 1/100th of a Peruvian sol = .0035 AMERICAN CENTS = worthless!!!! They are these stupid little coins that are ONLY given out and accepted at MAJOR grocery stores. Otherwise people must use them to level out shaky tables or something, because they serve no real purpose. And they feel like they are made out of plastic.

-Napkins: Peruvians like to fold their napkins or cut them into super small pieces. For example, if they are going to place a napkin under your drink at a bar, you will get a 1-ply square that is just smaller than your glass. And all napkins are about 50% smaller and thinner than their American counterparts.

Things that are amazingly better/cheaper here:
-FRUIT!!!! Cherimoya, maracuya, grenadilla, papaya, camu camu, I could go on forever.

-Aji! Amazing condiment made of peppers...like hot sauce but SO MUCH BETTER. Ugh, I am going to miss it...it has completely converted me to a spicy-foods-at-every-meal-even-breakfast person.

-Triple carbs at every meal - its blessing and a curse, but so yummy! (rice, potatoes/fries and bread....plus juice and dessert sometimes)

-Public transit: while I have a love-hate relationship with combis (mini-buses), its nice to never have to drive anywhere and get across town for 30 cents.

-Giant beers that you buy and share with everyone at your table (and you aren't allowed to say no when a Peruvian offers you some).

-Ceviche: raw fish marinated in lime juice, spices and heaven. Nuff said.

-"Sours": like Pisco sours, or maracuya (passion fruit) sours. Drinks made with pisco, fruit, sugar and just enough egg white to put a layer of foam on top after its blended or shaken.

-Long-distance luxury bus travel: So awesome! Nothing like Greyhound, and there are so many companies to choose from! And if you do an overnight bus, you magically wake up in a new city.

Random things I just find odd:
-When constructing a building, they leave the rebar sticking out of the top floor, like they might add another level on at any moment. All the buildings have this eerie, unfinished look.

-Stray dogs, they are everywhere!!

-Greeting people: when you walk into a room, you MUST greet everyone that is in the room personally, usually with a kiss. Even at work, even your boss.

I'm sure I will be able to add to this before I'm done here, but this list was a start!

Ciao!
Kristyn