Reflections

Before arriving to the US, I wanted to make some final reflections: dislikes/likes, funny random Spanish customs, etc. My program directors have advised us that we have changed since our 5 months in Spain, and I am curious to hear what my parents and friends have to say about that. Anyways, I will be writing this entry in bullet points for the sake of efficiency and also so that you are able to pick and choose what you would prefer to read.

10 Things (not people) I will Miss about Spain:

1.      Café con leche

2.      Tapas

3.      Barrio Latino (place where I would go salsa & bachata every Thursday night)

4.      Being called “guapa” (“gorgeous”) from sincere people, not just a catcall

5.      Walking everywhere instead of driving

6.      Architecture

7.      Seeing history in every direction

8.      Morning runs to the Alhambra

9.      Festivals that include the entire community

10.   Churros y chocolate

10 Things (not people) I Look Froward to in the USA

1.      My dog

2.      BBQ

3.      TV not dubbed (I am sorry, but Spanish dubbed Morgan Freeman is not the same)

4.      Ability to wear athletic clothes without receiving odd looks (dressing up is simply expected)

5.      Going barefoot in the house (socks ok, slipper preferred, barefoot: abomination)

6.      Lots of salads without onions

7.      Hanging out with friends in a house (entertainment is always done outside of the home)

8.      Cooking

9.      Having stairs in my home

10.   Always knowing that there will be either soap or toilet paper in a public bathroom

Spanish Culture from an American Viewpoint

·        There exists more of a priority for people rather than technology

·        A grand majority of the population is named María, José, Antonio or Carlos

o   I met a family that says it all: kids were named Antonio, José and María

·        Sidewalks are for paseando (relaxed afternoon walk with friends), not actually getting where you need to go

o   Heads up for elderly women with linked arms blocking the entire sidewalk at a snail’s pace, they will NOT move for you

·        Nightlife on the weekends does not begin until 2 am

·        Lunch is between 1:30 and 3: 30, dinner is between 8:45 and 10:30

·        Bars are generally for socialization, not debauchery

·        For women, the men are much more forward and direct—tell them off, they need it sometimes (and there are very kind gentlemen as well)

·        Public transportation is the way to go, it is clean and more economical

·        ALL stores close between 2 and 5 pm for the siesta

·        ALL banks are only open between 8:30 and 2 pm, Monday through Friday

·        Always pay in cash, credit cards are reserved for large purchases

·        Tips are not “accepted,” only tip when the person does not like their job

·        Airports do not post the gate until 20-30 minutes before the flight boards

·        When asking for a drinking fountain, it either does not exist or you will be directed to an ACTUAL fountain (look for “agua potable”=drinkable water)

·        ALWAYS carry a packet of tissues and hand sanitizer, more than likely the public bathrooms lack either toilet paper or soap

·        90% of Spanish people are friendly and would love to help you, probably will even invite you to dine with them if you make a good enough impression

·        Personal space does not exist, so pop your bubble before entering the country

·        A handshake is a “cold” greeting, instead, lightly hold the person’s left arm with your right hand and touch cheeks while making a quiet “kiss sound” (both cheeks)

·        Eye contact on the streets is not usual, this goes for polite smiles as well (unless you want to seriously flirt)

·        You will hear a sort of “lisp” in their speech, done most grammatically correct, it is the “th” sound for words that contain: -za, ze, zi, zo, zu, ci, ce

·        People in Andalucía “eat” their words, meaning they do not pronounce very clearly (ex: “fish”= “pescado,” but pronounced “pescao”

·        Dogs have no manners whatsoever

·        The delicious aromas from the many panaderías (bakeries) will be a grand temptation

·        Being 15 minutes late is considered within the “courtesy” waiting time

Food Reflections

·        Everything is fried in olive oil, so enjoy the less fattening version while you can

·        Tinto de verano is fabulous: tiny bit of wine with sparkling juice

·        Typically there are 3 plates to every main meal

·        You will eat your weight in carbs, weekly.

·        A typical Andalucian breakfast consists of an entire toasted baguette with olive oil and honey, with a café con leche (essentially a glass of half-espresso, half-milk)

·        Never say “no” to arroz con leche unless you are allergic to lactose

·        A “tortilla” is not corn or flour, it is an omelet-like food, often with potatoes in it

·        Spicy Spanish food does not exist, they would cry and writhe on the floor in pain after a drop of Tabasco

·        Sour cream does not exist in Spain (and peanut butter is imported, so really expensive and not widely known)

·        Chocolate and churros is a must-try; “chocolate” is like warmed-up chocolate pudding, and you dip the churros in it

·        Dr. Pepper and Root Beer are not known, instead go for the Coca-Cola or Sprite

·        “Eating-on-the-go” is not ever done, and meals last approximately an hour

·        Every plate of food served is sure to have either olive oil, tomatoes, garlic or onions (and everything is delicious, except stay away from the bacalao salado—it is fish (maybe codfish?) preserved HEAVILY in vinegar)

·        Butter is rarely used

Favorite Foods (all were delicious!)

·        Tortilla de patatas (the omelet with potatoes)

·        Arroz a la cubana: white rice served with a tomato-based sauce, grilled bananas and fried eggs

·        Merluza con salsa de pasas: fish with a raisin sauce

·        Croquetas: kind of like chicken nuggets that include almonds?

·        Elias’s hamburguesas: my host brother made THE MOST FABULOUS hamburgers

·        Fried calamari

Katherine in the Albaicin

·        Arroz con leche (a dessert similar to rice pudding)

How I Think I have Changed

               Apart from gaining more fluency in Spanish, I have begun to learn that a schedule is important, but should not be the center of my life. In a more direct and cliché manner: appreciate the small things. Being punctual, making deadlines, etc., are still important, but also I am more willing to take that moment to actually chat with the friend I see on the street rather than simply, “Hello, great to see you! Sorry, I have to go…” On a spiritual level, God showed Himself to be faithful time after time through my disaster of arriving to Spain, His provision of a church, Christian roommate and spiritual conversations.

               Thank you for following me throughout this 5 month journey! Please take the time to enjoy your family, after 5 months apart from mine and several friends having lost a family member, I cannot wait to run from the arrival gate and hug them and truly say, “I love you!” I have approximately 23 hours of traveling ahead of me before I can slip into my daisy duke’s, cowboy boots, put my gorgeous REAL dog (not some pequeñito ratón) in the back of the pickup and eat some tacos from a sketchy taco truck! Later, to be exchanged for my pearls, nude pumps and pink blazer, but everyone has their guilty pleasures. May you and yours be blessed, and ¡Feliz verano!