Normal

So as an educator, normal is not a word that is allowed.

However, I wanted to make a list of things that seemed different to me when I arrived (or before other Latin American trips) that now seem normal.   And since they are actually the norm, I figure I can say normal?

Driving

-seatbelts are so optional

-car seats don't exist

-there are no defined lanes on most streets and roads, but that actually makes life easier

-drivers observe their own personal speed limits

-u-turns are (almost) always okay

-places in the median for left turns can be occupied by up to three people at a time in each direction (this saves the left lane from having to stop and wait)

School

-the school day in public school is 8-12:30 (ish)

-private schools typically have a longer day (at least at the elementary level) lasting until 1 or 2

-kindergarten is not obligatory

-elementary school (primaria) includes grades 1-6

-middle school (secundaria) is grades 7-9 (called first second and third!)

-high school (preparatoria) is grades 10-12

-there are two school turnos, or shifts, at most schools

-many teachers teach both turnos, but typically in different buildings

-morning shift and afternoon shift schools in the same building go by different names

-all classrooms have direct access to outside (instead of a hallway) and are usually not all located within one building

-English teachers piece together their schedules to "fill up their timecard" as opposed to working all at one place all week

-nothing starts on time (this is not really unique to school, but it applies)

-every Monday morning is the designated time for honores (pledge, national anthem, announcements) and the whole school gathers in the central PE area

-child supervision is optional (as a matter of fact, there was a conversation during recreo the other day about how teachers are not responsible for anything- harm that comes a kid's way, etc)

Food

-Mexicans eat a hearty breakfast and lunch with an optional light dinner.

-breakfast might be when you wake up, but more likely it's closer to ten

-lunch is at 2pm at the earliest

-dinner is at 8 at the absolute earliest

-Culichis (being from Culiacán) love sushi

-sushi can be served fried if you wish

-vegetables are a rarity in the Mexican diet

-lettuce in Mexico is often limp

-taco meat comes in many varieties including head (cabeza) and stomach (tripa)

-refrigeration is optional for most things (boxed milk, leftovers, lettuce, eggs)

-lemon and salt flavors are preferred to sweet things

-chocolate is rare

-on the rare occasion that a Mexican wants something sweet, their preference is typically a fruit flavored cake or treat

That is all for now.  I will include more "normal" things in different categories later!