Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

Yes - a phrase from a Jimmy Buffet song - but this is real life here. 

San Carlos, Sonora -  27° 56'N /111° 03'W

El Valle de Anton, Panana - 8° 31' 0 N/ 80° 32' 60 W

When Bob and I moved to Mexico 14 years ago, we had to get accustomed to a different way of life.  I remember going into a grocery store in Guaymas called VH (bvay-ah'-chay) and being entertained by the things that were there.  However, Bob loves to go and look at the meat departments, so we walked back there and I immediately saw a cooler piled high with whole chickens - and I mean whole.  Legs, feet, neck...oh yeah....they were dead and plucked, but that was it.  I turned tail and headed for a 'safer' part of the store - liked canned goods.  That was way out of my comfort zone. The difference between then and now in our part of Mexico, at least, is huge.  But still - our little town of San Carlos is only 260 miles south of the border, so I have always had a pantry and freezer stocked full of things I enjoy from the US.  We also had a few stores that specialized in American products, so if we really wanted something, we could get it.  It was expensive, but doable in a pinch.  

It's just a little different now.

We are now some 3000+ miles away from Nogales, AZ.  El Valle de Anton is a fairly small town (6000) - located in one of the largest inhabited volcanos in the world.  It is a destination location for the wealthiest of Panamanians who have homes here - and is also a destination for many people from Europe - Germany especially.  I have been in several stores in this area and have been amazed at the products they have - and/or don't have.  The stores have the feel of an old fashioned grocery store - not from the turn of the century or anything, but from maybe the 1930's?  Definitely the General Store feel - maybe the precursor to what became our Wal-marts.  Everything from nails and plastic fittings in bins to light fixtures, to school supplies, to plastic goods,  bicycle tires, a few appliances and a piece or two of furniture, and - oh yeah - some groceries!  Nice cheese is difficult to find, but they have small bags of grated yellow cheese.  Vinegar comes in bottles the size of, well, maybe 2 ounce size?  It also comes in a small plastic bag - one tablespoon worth. Yes, really.  They have Miracle Whip here in several different sizes (not in Mexico). A small bottle of Nutella is $5.50, a gallon of milk $5.75.  Evidently you can buy a single cotton ball or a single 'Q-tip'.  More than one store had a display of Snyder's of Hanover products... Produce is abundant and there are many fruits and vegetables that I have never seen before. 

The main street is pretty well THE street through town, with numerous restaurants, a covered mercado where the  local kuna women sell their molas and painted items - also produce and plants.  

Not really cheap, but nice.There's a gourmet and coffee shop in town that sells the run of the mill coffee, but nicer items from the USA.  There are plenty of nice hotels, hostels and places with cabanas in and throughout town.  In many ways, it looks like a tourist town with lots to offer.  In other ways, not so much. I understand that in Coronado (down the hill on the ocean), we should be able to  buy just about anything we want.  Looking forward to checking that out.

We may still be in Latin America - but we are definitely in a different culture.  This different latitude is going to require a different attitude.