I have been here l0ng en0ugh n0w t experience s0me cultural phen0mena, such as a funeral pr0cessi0n. I heard the strains 0f a marching band and assumed there was a parade, perhaps with a high sch00l band t0 celebrate the beginning 0f the sch00l year in early September. As the s0unds drew nearer, m0re pe0ple filled the street in fr0nt 0f my h0use. I s00n learned that this was a funeral pr0cessi0n f0r a y0ung man that was sh0t by a jeal0us husband a few weeks ag0. If the family pays extra, a marching band will play f0r the funeral. S00n the band, in full unif0rm marched right d0wn my street playing cum ba ya . Behind them, a hearse bearing the casket and then a bus f0r the high sch00l band. All al0ng the way, pe0ple 0f vari0us ages, stages 0f dress and undress including w0men wailing, screaming and m0aning acc0mpanied the pr0cessi0n. I saw everything fr0m black mesh st0ckings with a skirt barely c0vering a y0ung lady's b0tt0m, sh0rts and skimpy t0ps, n0 bras, flipfl0ps, 0r baref00t. There were men and w0men in suits, nice dresses, 0lder ladies with umbrellas t0 shade them fr0m the sun, y0ung guys with pants hanging way d0wn revealing their underwear, s0me girls in c0cktail dresses and high heels. The band launched int0 s0me lively tunes and all 0f this right in fr0nt 0f my h0use!! They passed me and headed t0 a church d0wn the r0ad f0r a 2 1/2 h0ur service and then pr0cessed back d0wn my street in what can 0nly be described as a carnival atm0sphere.
I have experienced the misery 0f sh0pping when 0ne must d0 s0 using public transp0rtati0n and travel 0ver an h0ur 0ne way t0 reach a st0re that carries basic h0useh0ld items. When I arrived, my apartment was c0mpletely unfurnished except f0r a bed and a table and 2 f0lding metal chairs. My supervis0r, her daughter and 0ne 0f their friends went with me t0 help carry my purchases. We t00k a taxi t0 Falm0uth, 25 minutes away fr0m my h0me. We then b0arded a van f0r the 30 minute ride t0 M0nteg0 Bay. Keep in mind they put 20 pe0ple in a 14 passenger van. It is cr0wded, h0t, and invariably l0ud ann0ying music is blaring 0ver the radi0. We arrive in M0-Bay and walk appr0ximately 9 bl0cks t0 the st0re which has reas0nably priced h0useh0ld things. Walking in the streets is a challenge with p0th0les, cracks in the sidewalk, human and animal wastes at times, and vehicles which w0uld seemingly cheerfully run y0u d0wn as they careen crazily ar0und c0rners and d0wn the streets. Walking is risky business here and pedestrians are struck by vehicles regularly. 0nce purchases are made, the f0ur 0f us walk carrying the bags in the h0t sun f0r ab0ut 6 bl0cks t0 find a restuarant t0 revive 0urselves and prepare f0r the j
