Every country has its negative quirks, so I choose to relish in my newfound selective optimism and discuss random small things I liked in every country I lived in/visited in South America over the past six years.

It’ll keep me from crying over the fact that I’m no longer there.

Argentina:

• Many small supermarkets sell cups and have bottle openers in case you’re buying alcohol so you can drink in the park.
• Even brunch is more common in the U.S., Argentinians have adapted to it with gusto, especially in Palermo. To me, brunch will always be Argentinian. Sorry, U.S.
• Singing during football games. Silent football games are boring to me now. Also, where are the drum kits in the U.S.?
• Taking vacations and holidays seriously, and taking them at all.
• Tereré (more of a Paraguay thing, but I love this)
• Pedidos Ya

Chile

• Taxi colectivos are the most practical thing I’ve ever heard of. It’s a shared taxi that has a route like a bus. Since you’re sharing it with fewer people, you still get there faster but it’s still more environmentally friendly.
• Forcing people to take their plastic bags. It may sound like government-override but I think it’s a responsible way to do things considering how much coastline exists.
• Taking your own Tupperware to restaurants. They charge you for disposable to-go containers, so this is also another environmentally-friendly practice I saw often.

Bolivia

• The teleferico. Hands-down the most beautiful public transportation method I’ve ever seen.

I spent the least amount of time there, so that’s all I can say. I’m sure there are other positive little things.

Brazil

• The banks let you choose the denominations for notes you want to pay.
• Brigadeiro espressos at Starbucks.
• Using paper straws at the beach.
• Easy Bus. If you go to Foz do Iguaçu, you can use that bus to cross the border into Argentina or Paraguay easily.

Peru

• Emoliente. It’s an herbal tea thing you can mostly get for dinner and it’s delicious!
• Arroz con huevo. It’s usually sold with fries and a salad of cucumber, tomatoes, and red onions.
• Oltursa and Cruz del Sur buses. They cost more, but it’s the most comfortable way I traveled through the country.
• Mototaxis to Huacachina.

It’s kind of hard for me to pick the best “small things” from Perú because I felt like it will all be food.

The photo above is a screenshot from one of my short films.