There are so many things that are different when living in another place than you’re used to… city, state, COUNTRY!

One of the things that is different here is the trash collection. They don’t pick it up for you. You have to hand each bag UP to the trash guy, and if you have a lot, then you’re doing a lot of work.

They don’t take boxes. So, you’d think that soon you would be overrun with boxes, right? Not at all! We had been told that all you have to do is to put the boxes out at night, and by morning they are GONE. There was a bit of “sniggering” with the information, but we ignored it.

Well… we put out several boxes one night and thought nothing more of it. The next morning, our buzzer intercom from the gate sounded. I lifted the telephone to see who might be coming to see us at about 6 am! Someone spoke, and I didn’t recognize their voice. I didn’t understand all the spanish, but he kept saying “cajones”, which I thought meant “drawers”. He also said “caja” and that means “box”.

At last I understood! He was ASKING if it was okay for him to take the boxes! Now isn’t that SWEET!? I was so touched by that thoughtfulness. wow… we’ve lived in cities in the U.S. where stuff on the curb was considered “fair game”, so you don’t dare leave anything anywhere near there! Folks come, pick through it, make a MESS for you to clean up and never even think of asking or saying “thank you”!

But here… in Bolivia… not only did the man ask if he could have them, he also said “thank you”. In fact, if I’m not mistaken, “muchas gracias, senora” means “thank you very much, ma’am”. Now THAT is consideration and polite behavior!

Ya gotta love it.