What I'm looking forward to in the US

As much as I’ve loved my time here in Ecuador, I am looking forward to some things in the US. Here’s an incomplete list of what I’m looking forward to in the US:

• Electric lights that turn on every time you flip the switch.
• Toilets that flush every time you push the handle.
• Not having the fear that I will go to jail for a little fender-bender. Here, everyone in or near the accident goes to jail until the judge sorts it out.
• Public restrooms that are clean and have toilet paper.
• Not having the fear that any time you get in a vehicle it could be your last look at Earth. (The drivers here love to pass on 2 lane bridges, blind curves, and going up hills.)
• Pretzels. (There is every kind of junk food available, even Sour Cream and Onion Ruffles, but no pretzels.)
• Diet Dr. Pepper (You can’t even get regular Dr. Pepper here.)
• Tunnels that you can see in, because they have lights.
• The power is on always.
• Not having to change the propane gas tank on the hot water heater to get a warm shower.
• Drinking the water.
• Newspapers and books in English.
• News in English on the radio.
• Autumn leaves.
• Seeing as many of you as possible.

See you soon.
Blessings,
Jerry

Things I'll Miss about Shell, Hospital Vozandes and Ecuador

• · Everything within walking distance.
• · Living across the street from the hospital.
• · Getting into a car maybe once a week or less.
• · Little kiosks where you can interact with a human when you buy something.
• · Serving the very poor.
• · Shaking hands with everyone you meet.
• · Saying hello to everyone every morning and again in the afternoon.
• · So little car traffic that you can walk or jog in the middle of the street.
• · The big crime wave: some lawn chairs stolen from a porch.
• · $1 lunch, $1.30 if you go to the expensive place.
• · Knowing most everyone I deal with daily.
• · Praying at the start of every work day and whenever a patient has a crisis.
• · NO INSURANCE FORMS
• · No malpractice claims, lawyers, or threats.