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Some Things I Miss about the United States
Joann wants to know what I miss about the United States. Off the top of my head: (1) Thomas’ English muffins; (2) Being able to speak English whenever I feel like it; (3) Friends who get me; (4) Great big American drugstores full of every kind of product (shampoo, vitamins, makeup, BandAids) you can think of, with that clean “drugstore” smell; (5) Really good English-language bookstores like Books & Books, in Miami; (6) New York City; (7) New Yorkers, believe it or not; (8) Ordering stuff from eBay without having to pay a ransom in shipping and customs; (9) American roads (are paved, not full of a million potholes, drivers actually…
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Winter Is…Chompa Time in Lima
It’s June 4, and that means winter here in Lima. Back in northern Florida, where we lived for six years, I’d be wearing short and turning on the AC this time of year. Strange to be pulling out the winter jackets and wool pants, but I have to: Lima esta frio! (Did I mention? None of the houses here has central heating. It’s like centuries of building practices have passed the country by.) To stay warm, Limenos pile on layers of shirts and chompas. The stores are full of them now, made of alpaca and sheep’s wool. The big department store Sagafallabella is pushing chompas like crazy. When you walk in the entrance…
