Individual personalities are alive and well. Music is very important and great pride is taken in the traditional instruments and songs. Food varies by location. The country is small, but you would never know it. Because of the mountains, temperature and growing seasons vary considerably.
Gender roles are very interesting, especially their ties to independence.
I have been to birthday parties, weddings, and a funeral, which were all strongly tied to tradition. I am slowly but surely learning the local language, but I wish I were more diligent about it. I really would like to be good at speaking. But, I am involved with my school and my community none the less. I have already had some battles here, trying to get a school roof and some student rights.