OK, so we’ve been in Central America for almost two months now, and only have one left to go! It’s not THAT different from the states, but I have noticed a lot of differences between the Central American culture and the culture in America. I’ve compiled a list of differences between El Salvador and the US, at least from my perspective. There are TONS more, but these are my favorites. Hope you enjoy!
–
The toilet paper is scented. Which is probably a
good thing seeing as America is one of the only countries that actually allows
you to flush your toilet paper. Everywhere else you have to throw it in the
trash.
–
There aren’t any butter knives. Only sharp
knives for chopping. They don’t understand why you would want to spread
anything with something other than a spoon.
–
We always wear shoes. ALWAYS. They think it’s
bad to take your shoes off. Something about walking on hard floors barefoot
being bad for your back. This shall be my excuse next time my mother scolds me
for wearing my shoes in the house.
–
Burger King has WIFI, and a special
“American-style” chicken sandwich.
–
Worship at church includes cheerleaders, ribbon
dancers, and grown men dancing in front of the congregation. The preacher
carries a towel around because he gets so sweaty and passionate during the
sermons. Church typically last 2-3 hours. I’ve included a video at the bottom to illustrate what worship looks like at a Central American church.
–
It’s possible, and rather inconvenient, to run
out of water. The city only sends water to the house until noon, and then we
have to use water from a reserve tank. When that runs out: no water. And
sometimes, the city decides not to send water. Very inconvenient when you have
11 people needing to use the toilet for the rest of the night.
–
They paint the bottom of every tree white.
–
Pancakes are crazy popular. They reserve an
entire aisle for pancake mix, with a little tiny section for cake mix, and no
bread, brownie, or cupcake mix. They also have an entire aisle dedicated to
corn flour and rice flour, which I didn’t know existed. You have to look very
hard and be extra lucky to find wheat flour.
–
They’ve never heard of French toast.
–
They don’t know what baking powder or baking
soda is used for.
–
It’s entirely possible to go 21 years of life
and never eat peanut butter. Apparently they were not raised on PB&J and
think it’s strange that American mothers send their kids to school with it
everyday.
–
There are 5-10 pharmacies within a five-minute
walk from our house.
–
If they are sold out of what you want at the
Super Selectos Grocery, it’s perfectly fine; you can just check the other Super
Selectos Grocery that’s directly across the street.
–
There is no little white man that illuminates to
let you know it’s safe to cross the street. He doesn’t exist here because it’s
never exactly safe to cross the street, there are just times when you’ll
probably make it and others when you probably won’t.
–
Easter is more important than Christmas. And
when told about St. Patrick’s Day and Groundhog’s Day, our hosts concluded that
Americans are crazy.
–
They sell 3% milk.
