My Old Kentucky Home

I had been warned by my housemates about going to the post office in Renfro Valley, KY. Renfro Valley technically has its own zip code, but actually is a cluster of shops and concert halls (or "barns"). It is, however, the closest post office...only a mile down the highway. So, this morning I went to mail my friend, Ginger, her Christmas package to El Salvador.

I'm pretty certain that it's been a long time since a package was mailed to El Salvador from this post office (or to any international location for that matter)....and here's why:
I handed the older lady operating the post office (the entire office is really just a small room). She placed it on a scale...not a scale that digitally calculates the postage and gives the customer options for when it will arrive and the cost....not even a smaller version that calculates the weight. No, a scale (or level) much like you see in a grocery store or one which would weigh fruit or veggies at home...
Then, she told me how much it would cost. (And I didn't get options about air mail or priority mail or the flat rate....just one price here!) The quote she gave me was MUCH lower than I expected to mail something internationally.
I said, "Oh, to El Salvador?"
She responded, "Oh, I didn't see where it was going. (what?!) Let me look that up."
Then, she proceeded to look at a map on the wall behind her. She had to find El Salvador (thankfully I had written "Centro America" in the address so this gave her a clue as to its location) on the map and then she gave me the total price. It was still significantly lower than I expected. And no electronic stamp was printed with the amount....she just penciled in $1.73 in the corner. Before I paid her, I asked her if I needed to fill out a customs slip.
She responded, "Oh, I forgot. I was about to get that for you." (Really?) She handed it to me, and I filled it out. Then, she "checked" it, but it honestly appeared that she was looking at each section for the first time.
I may see it again when it is returned to me for insufficient postage. Ginger, merry Christmas, I hope you get your gift!

So here's to my Kentucky experience...not to make fun of the culture, I truly think rural America is very charming in its own way, and a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the "city." My co-worker, Rich, loves the saying of Mark Twain which I think sums this up well..."when the end of the world comes I want to be in Kentucky, because there it will come 20 years later."