Small towns and my life in Africa-- a comparison study

In a lot of ways, I think growing up in a small town prepared me well for life in Africa. How so? Well, here's a starter list:

-> Getting things done is a often a more informal process, dependent on the people you know or connections they have.

-> Reputations matter.

-> On the same note, everyone talks about everyone.

-> You might not always find exactly what you want in the stores in town. But if you can, you buy local. And you buy from your friends.

-> Identifying places often relates to the history surrounding it. "You know the place that used to do street meat, next to the old Red Crescent? That's where the best pizza is." You know where so-and-so's mom lives? It's next to there...

-> People know you and you might not know them.

-> It's hard to run errands without running into people you know. Ten minutes to go to the store? Only if you don't get sidetracked by a long conversation...