A few more items of particular importance we have noticed:

– there seems to be a shortage of napkins in South America, and when we do get napkins they are more like thin plastic then soft paper.  Sounds like a business opportunity.

-many older adults, like our age, have braces.  I can only assume it is because you get them when you can afford them or perhaps 20-30 years ago it wasn’t even a consideration with the other fundamental priorities.

-like napkins there is a shortage of personal space, I’ll never understand why someone behind me is riding up my back side as I wait in a line to buy a soda or check in for a flight.

-once again, like napkins and personal space, there is a shortage of cold meats on sandwiches.  But only on sandwiches.  When you get a ham and cheese there is one slice of ham on two or three big pieces of bread but yet they serve ham and other meats for most other meals on large platters where you can take as much as you want.

– The yogurts and juices in South America have been off the charts! We can’t get enough.  Who knew an Avocado smoothie could taste so good

– Like in Mexico, when driving you pull over to the far right shoulder when making a LEFT turn.  Say what?  Now you’ve got to cross two lanes!

– Everything has been on military time…we are now extremely proficient at subtracting 12 but still dont understand the distance, weight….conversions.  Now I get why we were taught this in elementary school, teachers knew that 30 years later it would finally come in handy.   Memory lessons would have been more helpful

-Our last two guides independently asked linda if she was a model, so like braces they may want to invest in glasses.   Of course she is beautiful and now she is also walking on cloud nine.

-When I say, “I don’t understand.” doesnt mean I’m stupid.  Why do people just say the same thing louder over and over, I or anyone else won’t miraculously understand a new language.  If they were smarter they will try another approach.  However it’s my fault for not knowing THEIR language in THEIR country.  a lesson to be learned for some people in the US, we speak english and don’t forget it.  (maybe too much sarcasm but so what it our Anniversary)

-When foreigners translate conversations into English for our convenience they explain really basic things in detail.  For instance, Our guide uses a hard book to write notes, I told him he was old school for not using an ipad. He agreed but still felt the need to explain how he can use his paper book,we went on to explain how he can write ideas, check his calendars in the doctors office, take notes.  Linda sarcastically said yeah we understand how paper works.  We all got a kick out of the Seinfeld style conversation.

See you on the other side, of a four day hike that is