This shot was taken by my friend Heather, that crazy Canadian, most famously known for raging on unworthy fellows and standing up for gringas the world ’round.

Things have settled into an easy rhythm here. I work most days in the lounge area of my hostel. It’s blazing hot right now, like “walk 2 blocks and you need a shower” hot. I mostly prefer to work at my hostel because it’s much cooler with a breeze from the ocean. A very peaceful work environment. Meet up with friends for dinner or a walk about at night.

But I am accustomed to living here and am rarely surprised by the differences in culture, a part of this culture has become my own now. One thing did surprise me yesterday. I saw an example of mob justice.

A friend and I were eating dinner and we saw a huge crowd of people come rushing up the street and stop out front. They were gathered in a big circle and I couldn’t really see what was going on. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was all men and perhaps I shouldn’t get too close. Apparently, there was an unlucky fellow on the inside who had done something that someone didn’t like. Oon the inner circle, 5-6 guys were beating up on one guy. I never got the full story but I believe it had something to do with somebody defending the honor of a younger girl. When I came here 3 years ago, the town had no police force. It’s a very small town and a little backwoods. i had heard stories of mob justice but never fully believed it.

The cops eventually came over and broke it up. The unlucky fellow, who was still able to walk and not too beaten up, went into the cop’s pickup truck while his angry friends piled into the bed of the truck and they all headed down to the station together. Half the crowd followed. Despite it being mob justice, it was surprisingly calm although scary for what it was.

Sitting at a restaurant across the street from an internet cafe (HOLLA WIFI) eating lunch. I just ordered tea with lemon on the side and the waiter literally made a face, like, you want what? I’m starting to get the feeling that they don’t generally have lemon/lime with their tea. I get similar looks when i order my juice or drinks without sugar as basically everything is doused in sugar. Now I know that I could citrus most people under the table but with tea? Really?

But this is one of many cultural experiences that I am becoming accustomed to. Well sort of accustomed to, as there are some things that I will NEVER get used to. Like for instance, the “friendliness” of the people here. In my culture, when a guy makes some sort of advance and the girl responses with indifference or excuses, the guy will generally take the hint and move on.

Here? no.

They seem to think that “I have to wash my hair” means, “this girl thinks I’m hot, I must try harder!” The other night I was walking into town. I live on a small side street off the main road. There was a fine upstanding gentleman using the corner as a urinal on my only way out. I moved to the far side of the road, figuring we could just both ignore each other and no one will be embarrassed. Well apparently, this gentleman didn’t get the memo. Not about to let by the opportunity to hit on someone, he tossed a “hola, Buenas noches” over his shoulder midstream.

You have to give them credit for determination.

Aside from advances while urinating, I am generally enlivened by the adventure of learning a new culture and language. I am bettered by being forced out of my comfort zone to complete even the simplest tasks. I am encouraged when I realize only at the end of the night that barely a word of english had been spoken and that I have gotten to know these people and connect with them in their own language.

That’s not to say that I wouldn’t pay an exhorbinant amount of money for an old fashioned american cheeseburger right now. Parents: please have one waiting at the airport.