10 things we take for granted

Having been in South America for about 2 months now, it has become abundantly clear that there are some things we take for granted in the States that maybe deserve some more appreciation.

So without further ado, in no particular order but slightly grouped by category, here are 10 things we take for granted.

1. Toilet paper in all establishments
   a. Two ply toilet paper
   b. Unscented toilet paper

2. Free public restrooms

3. Seats on toilets in public restrooms. Or really seats on toilets anywhere for that matter

4. Hot showers
   a. That don't turn off randomly for hours at a time during the day
   b. That you can adjust the hotness of
   c. Easily

5. Public transit with published schedules and routes.

6. Restaurants/shops having unlimited change. (aka: you have no problem buying a $1.99 candybar with a $20 bill)

7. Traffic stopping for pedestrians (in most parts of the country I guess. Atlanta, I'm looking at you...)

8. Traffic signs and street markings actually meaning something.
   a. Passing on blind curves is a no-no
   b. Passing 4 cars at once is also a no-no

9. Street signs. Addresses become less than helpful when there is no way to tell what street you're actually on.

10. Businesses having a website
   a. Where you can find a phone number
   b. And hours of operation
   c. That they stick to

11. Restaurants providing water with every meal free of charge

12. When you go to a show in a theater you leave your cowbell and toy horns at home. (This was not the case at the salsa competition we attended in the Teatro Nacional)

(Okay I lied about the 10. 12 is almost 10 right?)

So next time you catch a bus or use the restroom, stop for a moment and appreciate how easy it is.

Stick around, there's going to be a list of 10 things that are much better down here. And 10 kinda weird things that you get used to real quick.

Also because all blog posts are better with photos, here is one of my favorite graffitis so far