At the grocery store, cocoa powder is mixed in with the tea. Raisins are next to the popcorn.
Water is released by the city every other day - at night. It collects in a big cistern to be used over the next two days. Sometimes the water runs out before new water is released.
The power goes out when it rains.
It rains a lot.
It gets dark by 6:15 pm at the latest (currently 5:30 pm). I don't go outside after dark unless I'm with friends.
By 6:30 a.m. it is noisy outside.
There is no Daylight Savings Time adjustment here.
Cookies, crackers, etc have individual packages within the bag. Oreos look normal from the outside, but on the inside they are packaged in groups of four. I think it's to keep the ants/bugs out.
Carmel Fudge ice cream has no fudge. But it does have macadamia nuts.
I've never visited a home with warm or hot running water in the sinks.
Television shows more violence and sex than would ever be seen, even on HBO or Cinemax in the US. Curse words are not *bleeped*.
Most cars run on diesel fuel.
Almost every car's windows are fully tinted to protect you from the heat of the sun.
Music that was popular in the 70's is played very often on many radio stations here. People sing along, but are often just copying the sounds and don't know the real words.
We have a store owned by Costco, called Price Smart. It is very similar to Costco.
Baskin Robbins here has 12 flavors, not 31.
Gallons of ice cream at grocery stores almost always have freezer burn. The ice cream is also not as dense or creamy.
Trees and grass are commonly trimmed with machetes.
Sometimes you will see a horse and rider on busy streets.
There are geckos on the walls inside houses. They make clicking, squirrel-like noises. This is normal.
Very poor people generally have a cell phone, as do most teens. As far as I know, everyone uses a "pay as you go" plan.
Phone numbers here are 8 digits long, not including the area code.
Taxis, buses, dump trucks and huge tractor trailers have a religious quote across the top of the windshield, and/or on the back.
Many women carry an extra deodorant in their purse to reapply throughout the day. (I carry mine in my backpack.)
It is best not to carry a phone with you, but if you must it should be hidden and should not be used in public.
The word "stupid" is VERY offensive in Honduras and is never used. It is much more offensive than the way a North American might use "idiot" or "fool" or "jackass".
Central Americans can be offended when North Americans refer to the US as "America".
You "know" someone as soon as you've seen them or met them.
Houses are rented with only the bare walls, toilets, and sinks. There is no oven or fridge.
It is very common for people who are not wealthy to have a nanny or housekeeper. This way, a person even less fortunate has a small income or works for the room and board.
When turning left at an intersection, you cut to the left. If someone is coming toward you and turning left, they cut to their inside as well and pass on your right, rather than going around in front of you and to the left.
Many roads have no speed limits.
Instead of signs with deer (Beware of deer crossing) there are signs with rabbits. I still don't understand that one.
Most people here drink a LOT of soda. Specifically Coke. It is cheaper than water or juice.
There are no mail boxes or post offices. Mail is delivered to a central location and you are notified by phone to come and get it. Bills are taped to your front gate/door and paid at the bank.
Lines are always very long at the bank.
Most people buy milk in a box, like the way soy or rice milk is sold in the US.
Many people here would like to learn English.
Honduras is divided into states, the same as the US. Hondurans are proud of the state where they were born and will tell you it is the best state in the country.
Honduras has two coasts, the more well known North Coast that is famous for incredible diving, and the Southern Coast.
Many neighborhoods have a central dumpster, or even a place on the ground where they dump garbage. It is very common to see someone standing inside a dumpster eating something they found there. That is one thing I can't seem to get used to.
Motorcycles drive between lanes of traffic. They don't stay in the lane.
Armed guards with automatic weapons stand in front of many restaurants, all banks, and some stores. It is extremely common to see men with huge guns in the streets. Some are military, some are police and some are paid guards.
School is held only on days when teachers feel like teaching. This is truth and not my opinion.
Women who give birth in certain public hospitals are discharged automatically 6 hours later. They are not allowed to have anyone with them as they give birth. After the delivery or cesarean, they are not offered water or even any sort of pain reliever. Family waits outside the gate until guards open the gates and allow them to come in and take the new mother home.
While there is a lot of poverty, there are wealthy people here as well.
There are rain forests in the mountains of Honduras.
People are more crazy for fútbol in Honduras than ANY sports fan I have ever seen for any sport in the US.
Plastic wrap, aluminum foil, wax paper and ziploc bags are rarely used. I am the only person I know who uses paper towels. Paper napkins are used very sparingly.
Paper towels, napkins and toilet paper are very thin and not absorbent, even when they say double ply.
Toilet paper is not flushed after use. It is placed in a garbage can because the plumbing systems are not built to manage paper and will get backed up.
Nail polish remover here is the best I have ever used.
Usually, but not always, dogs and cats are not allowed inside a home. They are thought of more as security or a way to kill vermin, not as we think of pets in the US.
Jetty's litter box and water fountain are odd attractions to everyone who visits my home.
Gringos are known for liking rich deserts and for being good at baking.
"Gringo" is not meant to be a derogatory term. Neither is "negra/negro". In fact people here commonly call each other negra or negro as a term of endearment. Gordo/gorda (fat) is also used as a nickname and as a term of endearment.
Hot dogs are wrapped individually in plastic before they are packaged.
Honduran people eat a TON of Chinese food.
