Quesadillas y Pambazos

It's been a week now since we arrived in Xalapa. It's different, but I like it. I've been trying to keep a list of the things that are different here. Here's what I've got so far:

• In Xalapa, you greet everyone with one kiss on the cheek and a handshake. You're supposed to do the same thing again when you say goodbye to that person (although people seem hesitant to do that with us, maybe it's because we're Americans, or maybe we just smell funny).
• Light switches look different here. The switch is horizontal.
  
• Not all dairy products are refrigerated.. milk and cheese are often left out of the fridge..
• If you go to the dentist, they don't give you Novocaine when you have dental work done (someone told me about this.. I did not go to the Mexican dentist).
• Pedestrians do NOT have the right of way. If you cross the street in front of a car, it will speed up.
• If someone asks you to try something food wise, it is rude to refuse it.
• Toilets can not flush toilet paper. You have to throw it in the trashcan...
  
• If you shop at Sears, that means you have money.
  
• There are stray animals everywhere (mainly dogs) who will attack you (I now know first hand).
• Public restrooms are different. Sometimes you have to take toilet paper into the stall with you, and often men and women wash their hands in the same sinks.
• Houses, doors, and entryways are all much smaller here -- smaller doors for smaller people (I have no problem with this).
• Dates are written like this Day/Month/Year, so today is 15/2/09.
• Lunch happens at 2:00 and is a very big meal. Dinner is around 9:00 and is something very small.
• Xalapans love mayonnaise. There's an entire aisle for mayo at the grocery store.
• It is typical to eat the same dinner many days in a row. For example, this entire week I've been here, we've eaten sandwiches or quesadillas every night for dinner.
• Children's soccer games are full of life. People bring things to bang on, lots of confetti, and loud noisemakers. It's quite the spectacle.
  

These are just a few things that I have noticed so far.