Week 3

We survived another week and are happy to have another week behind us.  I cannot emphasize how lonely it is being in a place that you don't have people to talk to.  More the small interactions you have whether it be at the store, restaurants, just walking around that I miss.  The only person I have had a repeat conversation with over here is a nice grandma at the park who takes her granddaughter Ines there to play.  She speaks English, so that has been nice communicating with her...two times that is:)  This week the weather was absolutely beautiful, so spent a lot of time down at the beach.  Annabelle has taken quite a liking to the water and sand, so have enjoyed watching her grow to love the beach.  Like mother, like daughter.  The weeks are pretty long just Annabelle and I, but the warm weather definitely helped with the spirits.

This weeks main observations:

- Attire:  While the culture is not super fancy, the idea of lounge clothes really is not present.  At the park the kids will all have on nice clothes, like dresses, khakis and the moms will too be dressed up.  I find it slightly bizarre, but they probably find us really bizarre.

- Everything is a Production:  Because we are on foot during the day to get anything done takes up quite a bit of time.  Annabelle has a horrible rash and we think it's because she is allergic to the diapers we bought over here.  So yesterday, I needed to go to the store to get another brand to try and it was an hour and half ordeal.  It takes 30 minutes to walk to the store and then getting her loaded up and out the door is always a production, so almost 2 hours later we got home with a bag full of groceries and new diapers to try.  Let's hope that is the root of the problem.

- Coffee:  They coffee all day...and LOVE their coffee.  I'm not as exposed to this as Andy is, but they drink their coffee out of these little glasses and drink it strong!!  They wrap up every meal with a coffee and will stop throughout the day to coffee.  I like this concept if it were Starbucks-like coffee, but straight, strong black coffee is not my thing.

- Milk:  Have I mentioned that their milk is not sold in the refrigerated section of the store, rather on normal shelves? Yes we are still drinking it and refrigerate ours before and after we open it.  And the eggs too sit out on the normal shelves.  

- Pantyhose:  All the women wear pantyhose with shorts, skirts, dresses, you name it.  And women of all ages.  I have noticed that their legs always look so smooth and as I've been looking closer, I have realized that they all wear pantyhose.  Don't think I will adapt to this trend, although I'm sure it would help hide my flaws!

- Double Kiss: When you see someone you know or meet someone, you double kiss.  One kiss on each cheek.  You go left, they go right and then swap.  Make sure you get it right or you will have an awkward smooch on the lips.

 Here is a picture of the changing rooms in the supermarket and malls.  They even have really cute painted walls.