Tuesday, July 23, 2013

New Customs


Customs:  When traveling to another country there are adjustments to make.  Here are three of ours. 
1. Using the umbrella.  We use our umbrellas every day to help protect us from the sun.  It also provides some coolness in the heat. (Of course, we also apply sun screen liberally before leaving the apartment to walk the streets)
2. Garbage collection:   Monday through Friday the Garbage truck comes down our street.  The 2nd night we were here, the truck loudly played the tune Fur Elise which we heard clearly on the 11th floor.  Other tunes are also played as the truck proceeds down the street at about 7 pm.  People from the various apartments go downstairs with their bags and recyclables to chat as they wait for the truck to pass by.  Others wait until they hear the tune from the trucks, then run for the elevator, go down to the first floor and quickly jog to the street in hopes that they are not too late. When the trucks arrive, each person goes to the street to heave their own bags into the back of the appropriate truck. We give our recyclable bag to an older lady, who goes through it looking for plastic bottles and paper products which she can resell. (In contrast, in Texas when we hear a tune coming from a truck, we assume that its the ice cream man.)

3. Bags at the stores:  In Neili City, stores don’t give you bags when you purchase something.  If you want a bag for the items you bought, you must pay for it.  Otherwise, you must bring your own sturdy bag or carry the items you purchased under your arms, in your pockets, or in your hands (at least the first time until you know better).  The store we buy most of our groceries from is 15-20 minutes away by foot.

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