This list I've been putting together for some time now, and thought it was time to post it. So here it is- 25 things that I've learned so far (although I'm sure there's more that I just haven't put down on paper). Feel free to comment, these are just observations that I've made since I've been living here. Enjoy!
1. For one thing, the H in Honduras (and any H for that matter) technically is silent (my dad taught me that one).
2. When you hear a Honduran ask for a "gringa" in the cafeteria, they are really asking for a specific meal. It consists of chicken and cheese melted together inside a flour tortilla. They aren't asking for a person.
3. "Por fa" is not Orfa (a Spanish name). They are abbreviating "por favor" which means please in Spanish. After hearing it over and over during my lunch duty in the cafeteria I realized... Oh, well aren't they polite.
4. The rapiditto is not very rapid. You have to catch it on a good day I guess. (P.S. The rapiditto is a public form of transportation here on El Hatillo, a.k.a. bus, that will take you down the mountain in a pace convenient to the driver).
5. There are a billion different kinds of cheese... queseo, mozzarella, yellow cheese, queso seco (stinky feet cheese) and many, many more.
6. You can't drink water out of the faucet - or you can, but it might not agree with you later.
7. Hondurans run on Honduran time. Not North American time, so be prepared to wait it out.
8. There are also a lot of great ideas floating around, but maybe 25% of them actually will happen.
7. Cabbage is used a lot here - and I am not a fan, but who knows, it might grow on me with time.
8. Expresso Americano is the equivalent to Starbucks, but a third of the cost. Can someone say addiction?
9. Hondurans use a lot of chicken (according to Richard). My response, "that explains why I like Hondurans".
10. The beef here is very different - not a huge fan of cooking with it.
11. Hondurans point with their lips. Just take a moment and imagine that.
12. There really aren't any rules to driving here. Stop signs are a suggestion, and the lines on the road don't really mean that you have to stay in them... they are also a suggestion.
13. I have yet to see a street sign. You must give directions based on landmarks or corner stores. My favorite is Puppy Corner (the Mc Donald's).
14. Electricity goes out about once a week... at least if not several times in one day. And if it happens to be out then it's no shower for you, unless you're one of those who actually enjoys cold showers in the dark.
15. Candles are a necessity, and card games.
Back on food,
16. You must put everything in a ziplock bag. It will last longer that way.
17. You have to clean ALL of your veggies and fruits before consumption or you're asking for a stomachache.
18. I have noticed that a lot of groceries that you would normally have bought in a can comes in little pouches. This is mostly true for refried beans, spaghetti sauce, some cheeses and even soups.
19. Gum here, or at least on the mountain requires a ziplock bag as well. It tends to get extra sticky if left out for the humidity.
20. The children hiss at one another when someone does something impressive or answers a question correctly. Sounds cool but it's kinda weird, especially when they do it as a group.
21. They are also extra touchy-feely here. Not only is it common to greet with a kiss (as many Hispanics/Latinos do), but they can't stop touching each other - or at least my students can't.
22. You must walk like you know where you are going. Walk with a purpose, or you're just asking to get mugged.
23. Fruits and veggies here are so much cheaper than in the States.
24. Winter is going to freeze your toes off if you're not properly prepared. All the windows are slats, which doesn't exactly prevent the cold wind from sneaking inside.
and...
25. The bus drivers here have no fear. So don't get in their way.
Overall, the culture here definitely has it's differences from the States. Life here is much simpler and day to day activity is just that. There are no definite plans when it comes to planning ahead, and plans that are made are more than likely to change. It's not that I prefer one culture over the other, each one has it's benefits and inconveniences, but it's that the priorities are different. Hondureños value relationship much more than most people in the States do. Things may take twice as long to get accomplished, but in the middle of all that hopefully you've made a friend or two.
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