So I have been in Barcelona for almost a month now. That's almost as long as I was in Guadalajara, Mexico, and I've definitely been making comparisons between Mexico, the United States, and Spain.
Here are some of my observations:
1. Housing: Housing in Barcelona is much like it is in Guadalajara. Buildings are all sort of joined together, not all separate like in the United States. Most residents that live within the Barcelona city limits live in apartments, and they cost a LOT! It's kind of like New York City in that sense.
2. Language: Ha, wow. Well, Barcelona is definitely a city of many languages. Everyone who is originally from Barcelona speaks Catalan and Castellano (Spanish) every day and grow up with both of them. The reason of this is that people who live in Barcelona are very proud of their history, as Catalonians. Catalonia is a distinct region in the Northeast of Spain that has their own language, Catalan (very similar to French), and feels bitter toward the rest of the country and they hesitantly claim that they are "Spanish" people. It's really neat to here all about this story, and a lot of it has to do with the Spanish Civil War and Franco's dictatorship until the 1970's. Also, the Spanish language here sounds so much different than in Mexico or how it is used in the United States, a lot of people claim it is less clearly pronunciated here, but I am starting to get used to it.
3. Metro stations rule. I have abused my 3 month pass so much that I will have no regrets on the amount I had to spend for it.
4. Smoking: Uggh, Mom, you would love it here. EVERYONE smokes...literally, everyone. It's insane. Luckily for me, I am used to the smell, but it can get pretty nauseating sometimes when it is a nonstop smog everywhere you go. I thank the United States for banning smoking in public places now.
5. Meals: Okay, so it is taking some adjusting to the meal times here, that is for sure. Breakfast is whenever and its really similar to a US breakfast, cereal or toast. Lunch isn't typically until around 2-4pm, which is a killer to my habit of eating at 10:30-11:30 am for lunch. Dinner is the strangest of all, 9-11 pm is their typical dinner time here. It also goes along with their habit of staying up way late. Meal sizes are also incredible. Breakfast is small, lunch is bigger, and dinner is enormous! I typically get served 3 courses every dinner with a dessert consisting of a fruit or some sort of dulce(sweet). Now, I love the food here in Spain, but I have to admit that nothing can compare to the homemade food in Mexico. Mama (Maria) in Guadalajara made the greatest Mexican food ever, and I can never forget that. Montse, my senora here, cooks fantastic food as well though, its just nothing like Mexican food. It is a lot more seafood and fish. The other night we had paella (that is a very popular Spanish dish). It had shrimp, mussels, chicken, rice and some other dark meat in it...at first sight it looked kind of disgusting, but it was AMAZING. Oh yeah, and olive oil...yummm. Which has made me start to like olives too, which I never thought would happen. There is no way I'll be able to adjust back to greasy hamburgers and fries, or Sodexho. SICK.
6. Sense of time: Wow, Spaniards are slow. As an American it is quite frustrating to be in a hurry to get somewhere and be stuck behind 200 Spanish people in the metro station, while also trying to watch your bag so none of them try to pickpocket you. But, I'm starting to realize, being on time is not necessary here at all, and that is VERY difficult for me, as I am used to being early to EVERYTHING. When I was being told when my internship interview was I was shocked to hear that I should show up "sometime around 1". I mean, this was an interview, wouldn't they have other things to do and need to see someone at an exact time? Nope, showing up 15 minutes late is almost mandatory with a set time. It's kind of nice, but frustrating still. Also, I am on Student Council here, and I thought that back home was frustrating trying to get your ideas expressed and seeing the progress... Try with some Spaniards, it's quite the task.
7. Greetings: I found it really shocking at first when I would nod my head or smile at someone on the street and just get stared at back, or completely ignored. I thought it was rude at first. But, turns out, they were staring at me because I was being a huge weirdo according to their culture. Staring is pretty common, I have watched some people just stare at each other on the metro lines sometimes, its hilarious to me. Also, greetings are reserved for when you see someone on the street that you know. And if you know them, it is common that you will stop to have a conversation with them, regardless of what you are on your way to do or what other pressing matters you may have.
8. Appearance: I have never once felt like I stuck out as an American here. Spanish people look like Americans do for the most part, in my opinion. But one distinct characteristic about Spanish people is that they are for the most part all beautiful people. The US has some nasty people every once in a while, but the Spanish, not so much. No wonder I was extremely excited when someone told me I could pass as a Spanish person.
9. State of the Country: Spain is really interesting. There is a terrorist led region called the ETA in the Basque country, there is Catalonia, Galicia and Andalucia. At first I thought they were all sort of like states, but they are all very very independent of one another and it is extremely difficult for each "nation" to agree to be the unified country of Spain. Another thing is to see, read and hear about all the similar problems in the economy that they are having here. Food and energy prices soaring, stock market crashing, consumer confidence plummeting, all that jazz. The unique thing is that Spain's economy only accounts for 12% of the European Union's GDP, yet they're struggling enormously compared to the rest of the EU. But seeing as they are only 12%, the EU will not quickly make any policy changes for the sake of Spain, its a unique situation that I will likely look into a lot more.
and;
10.Public Display of Affection: Umm, yes, this title may explain itself. Making out in public is not considered gross here, and it is EXTREMELY common. Even at 7 in the morning. My great pal Ian has already adapted to this culture shock, and I have made a Facebook album dedicated to his obscene amount of Public Display of Affection. Check it out the album title is: Creepin'.
And so, after all of that, you may be ready to here a little update of what has been going on in my life here. I think I may finally have an internship here! Its at this place called miniguide, and it is sort of a catalog for music, art, theatre, movies, restaurants, bars, and clubs. It's a really cool little catalog, and I am excited to get a start on it so I can hopefully find out what kind of stuff I can do with my major.
Yesterday Ian, Kyle and I headed up to Empuriabrava, Spain to do some skydiving. Yup, jump out of a plane 12,000 meters above Earth, we are crazy. But the fog was too dense, and they would not let us. We have already paid though, so we get to reschedule. YEAH! I'm excited!
Also, I have decided that I will be travelling to Morocco at some point in this semester, so be thinking of me as I make a trip to Africa! I will have touched 3 (4ish) continents by that point in my life. Spring Break I believe we are going to Ireland for the first half of the week, then the second half possibly London or an extended stay in Ireland, or even possibly back to Barcelona. The only for sure thing is Ireland, and I'll take plenty of pictures of the famous Irish landscapes.
Did I miss anything? Let me know, I'll fill you in.
Peace out,
Hart
