PDA and Piropos

There are some aspects of the culture in Guanajuato that I just can't get used to but are perfectly normal here. None of these things are bad in and of themselves, they are just very different from what is considered normal in the United States.

1) PDA (Public Displays of Affection): In Mexico it is completely normal to turn a corner and almost run into a couple making out in the street. Nobody thinks twice about it, but it is a little uncomfortable to have to squeeze by these people to pass them on the sidewalk or to go up a flight of stairs.
2) Fireworks: Almost everyday is a saint's day here in GTO. As a result, somebody is always celebrating which usually means fireworks. It is not uncommon to be walking through town and to hear booming and banging coming from the next street over. Of course, all this is in broad daylight. The first few weeks we were here, everyone jumped at every boom while the people around us didn't even flinch. Now, we look like the locals and laugh at those in-experienced tourists who react like their lives are in jeopardy.
3) Beggars: The beggars on the street will always be something that I don't like. It is so sad to see them sitting with their outstretched hands hoping that someone will have compassion on them. The hardest to handle are the ones with children or babies. It is a very common thing to be sitting at an outdoor cafe and have kids come up to you and ask you to buy gum from them. They always have the most pitiful voices and are usually wearing dirty clothes. I don't like it one bit.
4) Clothes: People's fashion sense here is entertaining, to say the least. I am no fashion police, but I do know that is isn't a good idea to wear a see-through light colored shirts with a black or red bra. But everyone does it here. Also, none of the women wear sneakers. The majority of them wear high heels all the time. My feet get tired from all the walking and the hills, and I wear tennis shoes. I have no idea how these women do this without killing their backs and feet. T-shirts are a constant source of entertainment because they often have English sayings on them and you can just tell the people have no idea what they are wearing. For example, I saw a boy wearing a shirt that said "I'm the big sister." oops.
5) Eating Times: Meal times are very different from meal times in the US. For example, on a normal day, I eat breakfast at 7:00 am before I leave for class, I eat lunch at 3:30 pm, and I eat dinner at 9:00 pm. By the time lunch rolls around I am absolutely starving and then when dinner comes, it's about the same story. Lunch is the big meal, so our dinners usually consist of cereal or a small sandwich, so of course by breakfast, I'm hungry again. The food is delicious and their is plenty of it, but I feel like I'm hungry all the time.
6) Los Piropos: Los Piropos are the comments that the men make when a woman walks down the street, especially a white woman. I've been called "guera," "gringa," "blanca," and "preciosa" to name a few. While they are harmless and not gross or preverted, it is somewhat embarassing. I've gotten good at ignoring them and not giving them a reaction, but I haven't gotten used to it yet. The construction workers are the worst. Everytime there is construction going on, I know that someone is going to say something. It is just a reminder that my blond hair will always make me stand out here.

So basically, there are definite cultural differences here that I am still getting used to. None of these things that I can't deal with, and I'm sure that I will eventually not even notice. Emersing yourself into a new culture is always an adventure.