These are generalizations and not necessarily true all over\u00a0MN or Mexico, but they\u00a0are observations our family has made as we return to MN after living the last 5 years in Mexico. \u00a0Our boys were 2 1\/2 and 4 when we\u00a0arrived\u00a0for our last home assignment, so they are especially noticing things that are different than life in Mexico. \u00a0These are in no particular order, and don’t include the bigger\u00a0things, like language, food, and dress, but it was fun to put together and I thought it may give you an idea of some of the reverse culture shock we are experiencing.<\/p>\n
10. \u00a0Greetings and goodbyes don’t include a kiss. \u00a0However, the boys tell me it still takes me just as long to say goodbye in MN as in Mexico.<\/p>\n
9. \u00a0WATER!! There are drinking fountains everywhere, in parks, office buildings, the mall, school, etc. and the water from the tap is safe to drink! \u00a0Also, there is \u00a0no need to worry about the water running out on you in the middle of a shower.<\/p>\n
8. \u00a0There is a\u00a0shoulder on the side of the road, wide, open freeways,\u00a0and people stop, for quite a long time here in MN, at four way stops. \u00a0Also, it is very rare for people to honk their horn at you\u00a0if you are slow at moving after a light turns green.<\/p>\n
7. \u00a0People are no longer stopping to ask to take pictures with the boys, or to touch their hair.<\/p>\n
6. \u00a0Second hand stores and garage sales are awesome! \u00a0Mexico has their version of these, but most of the things sold are overly used and almost as expensive as the department store.<\/p>\n
5. \u00a0No more walking a block or two to the market or the neighbor’s (tiendita) store\u00a0for ready to eat avocados, mangos, papaya, homemade corn tortillas, or Oaxacan cheese.<\/p>\n
4. \u00a0There are toilet seat covers on ALL public bathrooms and you can flush the toilet paper!<\/p>\n
3. \u00a0No bells and whistles advising you that the garbage truck is near, so you can run quickly with your garbage and dump it in yourself. \u00a0Mat\u00edas\u00a0came in today and said with amazement, “Mom, you’ll never believe it! \u00a0I just saw a mechanical hand come out of the garbage truck and dump it in all by itself!”<\/p>\n
2. \u00a0When arriving to pick your boys up from soccer camp 15 minutes late, you are the last mom to arrive and your boys are waiting by themselves on the curb – sorry guys! \u00a0In Mexico, 15 minutes late would have made me one of the first moms to arrive. \u00a0Also, related to time is that church services are exactly one hour, not the two, three or even four hours they can last in Mexico.<\/p>\n
1. \u00a0Options overload! \u00a0It takes so much longer to shop here because there are so many different brands and kinds of everything, like ice cream (which I love!), types of swimming suits, even options for health care, and it can become a little overwhelming.<\/p>\n
Please pray for us as we adjust to life back in the USA! \u00a0We are very happy to be here, even as we miss Mexico too!<\/p>\n
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