Differences

Inspired by my first coffee since arrival, I started thinking about small differences in the day to day things really are here compared to home.

For example, in the morning the shower water is heated by an electric head. When in full flow, contact with the metal tap results in mild electrocution, since the only way to control temperature is though flow rate, one is faced with the dilemma of having a barely warm shower with reasonable flow rate, or a mild electric shock and a warm shower with very slow flow rate.

Then we get to breakfast, and milk in packets. All milk sold in bottles is flavoured, so for my cereal I buy packets of milk. Although this sounds insignificant I didn't think to transfer to a bottle and attempted pouring from the packet, resulting in quite a mess!

Then to the most obvious difference, the complete lack of McDonalds or Starbucks (so far)! This is possibly the first country I have ever been to where there is no McDonalds, Im undecided as to whether this is good or bad. The lack of Starbucks is disappointing, and made worse because almost all coffee served here is instant. Tea, it seems, is the drink of choice. Coca tea, especially. This is another fun point, because in Peru and Bolivia it is possible to buy coca leaves (unlike the UK), you can chew them or brew them. Either way you get a mild dose of something very similar to cocain (apparently you have to add an alkali to get the real thing)! Its the most popular remedy for altitude sickness, and tastes quite nice, so we have been drinking quite a bit.