Although someone disabused Nate's pocket of our camera on the subway last week, we still have been constantly amazed by how nice people are here. There's a sort of warmth that is evident in lots of small ways constantly. Everyone -- men, women, old friends, people you just met -- kiss on one cheek in greeting. I'm not used to this yet, and I still extend my hand when I meet someone, though this is starting to feel a bit rude at this point. The subways are horrendously packed at some times of day, but people still squeeze together to let one more person on. Yesterday we stopped into a local parilla, which is a temple of hot, dripping grilled meat of all sorts, and an old man who struck up a conversation invited us over to his house for a cup of coffee. We didn't go, but still, that was awesome.
There are plenty of other reminders that we're not in the US anymore:
1. It's not clear who has right of way at intersections, but it's definitely not the pedestrian.
2. Take the dog for a walk. Encourage the dog to lay a robust, glistening poo in the middle of the sidewalk. Continue to walk.*
3. I wanted to make chocolate chip cookies for a party we're going to tonight. I managed to find baking soda (bicarbonato de sodio) at the spice stall in the market, but baking powder? "Yes, uh, I'm looking for a white powder chemical to make big the cake, and is like baking soda, but not exactly the same thing. Have this you?" No go. Also a no go on brown sugar. So I will try brownies instead.
* This calls for vigilance on the part of the pedestrian. These healthy looking fresh turds have also taken over my subconscious, and have appeared in my dreams pretty much every night.
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