Sights we just don't see in Canada

One of the joys of visiting another country is experiencing the difference in culture from our regular lifestyle back in Canada. I'll start with the one that shocked me the most.

Yes, that's a young child riding on top of the lawnmower while the man was cutting the grass. I wanted to rush over and intervene, but I held back. There were a few other people around, but no one else seemed concerned. Later the adult was working with a machete, and the child picked up a nearby knife-like tool. Thankfully the man saw him and put it out of his reach.

There are two men who do the upkeep of the central park. The other man has his arm amputated just below the elbow. It does not interfere with his work, but I often wonder what was the reason for the amputation. Perhaps he too was lax about safety rules, in comparison to those in Canada. 

This man works the beach most days, going back and forth pulling his ice-cream cart along a beach that's about a kilometre in length. Many days there are very few people on the beach, but he trudges along regardless. When the tide is low he moves to the compacted wet sand as it's easier to travel. He works hard with very few sales, from what I've seen. I'm not sure someone in Canada would have this much determination and perseverance.

There are four restaurants at this beach, along with various vendors who walk the beach selling food. Here's the doughnut man, who always carries the tray on his head. The difference for us is they walk into the open-air restaurants, selling to the customers while they're in the restaurants. Other vendors with shrimp and chicken kebabs, or oysters, do the same. It just seems to be accepted here. That wouldn't be the case in Canada.

Walking along the streets with a beer in hand is quite acceptable here. Not so in Canada. This tree is outside a tienda, a small store, and there's usually a group of men sitting on the sidewalk, enjoying a cold beer. Greg went into the store, bought a beer, and then asked for the opener. Well to tell the truth, it was more sign language than talking, but the worker seemed to understand. The man led us to the door and pointed to the tree outside ...

See it? In the hollow of the tree they've built in a bottle opener! Very convenient, and perhaps the reason the men sit outside. None of this would be allowed in Canada!

We just love these flowers, because of their vibrant colours. We also wouldn't see these growing outdoors year-round in Canada. Seeing and experiencing cultural differences makes for some interesting conversations!

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Location: Lo de Marcos, Nayarit, Mexico

Weather: High of 79ºF (26ºC), low of 72ºF (22ºC)

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