My Favorite Things About South America: All The Other Stuff

As the time since my departure from South America has gone from days to weeks, and the interest in my blog seems to have been negatively impacted by the common question of "why are you still posting blogs if you are home?", I am forced to put some brevity behind my words. Thus, while I would love to dedicate entire posts to each and every one of these subjects, I instead leave you with a brief summary of all the "other" favorite aspects of life in South America:

	Almuerzo/Comida Corriente/Menu Del Dia/El Menu - Making up over 75% of food consumed during my trip, these "set meals" were an amazing deal: A bowl of soup, a main (choice of meat + 2-3 carbs), and depending on the country, either a cup of juice, fruit or even desert. All for $1-3! (Stolen photo courtesy of Ted & Sarah)
	Snack Vendors - On almost every corner of every country, these health-promoting vendors provide chips, chocolates and cigarettes to all
	Fresh Fruit Juice - For those looking for a healthier option, fruit juice stands offer unlimited options and combinations of the most delicious-tasting fruit in the world (well, at least way better than the offering at HEB in South Austin)
	The Coca Leaf - Whether chewed, drank or even sucked upon in the candy form, the Coca Leaf has overtaken the Andes as the cure-all for everything and anything (hunger, thirst, altitude sickness, addiction to coca leaves)
	Stray Dogs - They are everywhere, literally, everywhere
	Bearded Burros - While their beard typically covers their eyes, these animals are still one of my favorites
	Llama Tenders - Profiting on tourists love of photos next to furry llama's, these ladies could easily live for months off the "donations" I sent their way
	Llama's - Furry, spitty, sometimes adorned in ribbons - How could these not be one's favorite animal!?
	Ladies Hats - In every Andean country, women flaunt semi-fashionable hats of odd and eccentric shapes. The Bolivian Charlie Chaplin look is definitely my fave
	Marching Bands - Every city has one, and everyday is a holiday/festival/excuse to let them play
	PDA - South American kids love making out in public and apparently statues do too
	Cell Phone Vendors - Although typically only found in Colombia, these vendors provide needy users with the opportunity to make cheap calls via an old cell phone, secured by a long-enough-for-no-privacy metal chord
	Photocopy Stores - I have no idea what the need is for a photocopy store on literally every corner, yet they somehow have managed to stay in business for years
	Political Advertisements - Apparently if you own a house near a main road, that gives political campaigners free reign to paint all over your house
	Creepy Statues - Very creepy indeed
	Main Plazas - Combining the perfect mix of benches, pigeons and of course the occasionally-functional fountain
	'ia' Stores - Papeleria, Panederia, Jugueteria, Joyeria... the list goes on and on
	Book Exchanges - All you need is another book, and of course $500
	Pan Flutes - If South America had a theme song, the pan flute would no doubt dominate every second of it
	The Actual Theme Song of South America - It's pretty catchy
	Taxis - $0.10/minute to travel anywhere in the city + a free Spanish lesson on top!
	Electric Showers - The only heat these inefficient shower heads generate is via the shock they generate when attempting to turn them off
	Cross-Walk Guys - Instead of giving a countdown on their cross-walk lights, Peruvians have instead decided to provide pedestrians with a more "instructional" approach to street crossings: Peruvian Cross-Walk Man
	Hammocks - Why sit when you can lie?
	WB TV Channel - 24/7 replays of "Two and a Half Men," "The Big Bang Theory" and of course "Friends"... all in English! (+5 points to whoever can translate the subtitle in this scene)