First Day of Classes and More City Quirks

First of all, I didn't know I could put titles on these posts... obviously I need to pay more attention!

I finally started classes today and the economics course I'm taking seems like it's going to be a lot of work. Luckily it's in english! I do feel like I haven't been speaking enough spanish with friends since I've been here, but I think once everyone starts their spanish classes it will get better. It's been quite an adjustment, I'm realizing more and more, from mid-west life. I'm not sure I really belong in a city, but it is exciting to have a change of pace and to always have something going on. I'm also realizing that I really need to get into school mode, because was more of a shock than I expected!

There are so many funny things about this city that are all pretty small and trivial, but still noticeable to everyday life. The napkins here are sort of a mix between pieces of wax paper and tissue paper, so I always have to use so many because they don't really absorb anything. Also, the people here are definitely city people, they're not necessarily unfriendly, but they don't take any initiative to talk to you unless you ask them a question. Between about 5 and 7pm is coffee time and you can find dozens of people in every coffee shop. Although here, coffee is much more of a sit down production. When you order coffee they always give you a tiny glass of water with gas, and some sort of cookie or pastry type thing. The people here are really not into eating/drinking and walking, which is one main difference I've found from most cities I've been to. I was eating ice cream on the street that other day, and I got some interesting glances. Also, when you order food here, you get exactly what the menu says, which is pretty interesting. Today my friend ordered a chicken sandwich, which at home would usually come with all sorts of other things on it, but it was bread, and about a quarter of a chicken! She was pretty surprised! People also don't tip much, if at all, at restaurants here, which means they don't try to rush you out of your table, and you have to ask for your check or they will never bring it to you. Most of the time when I"m eating with people we just sit there and chat for a couple of hours. There are so many interesting things and I keep coming across new ones every day. I'm hoping to do some more exploring later this week and during the weekend if the weather is nice! I hope you all are well and are enjoying the end of Summer!