I have lived all my life in typical American suburbs in California. This is a state where everything is highly regulated; building standards in particular come under a lot of scrutiny, since we are prone to earthquakes, fires, and in some cases floods. The state and local governments apply a lot of requirements in order to keep buildings as safe as possible.

Where and how we grow up generally determines what we define as “normal”. When we experience another culture or another way of life, whether inside or outside the US, some things don’t fit our definition of the “normal” way of doing things, and may surprise us. I will admit that some things in Mexico surprise me and my sense of normal.

Here’s a photo of the “electrical panel” at our house, along with a nearby light switch / outlet. In the old days, it only powered a few light bulbs. Now it also powers a refrigerator, washing machine, blender, and a couple of power tools on occasion. So far it continues to hold up!