It's been a little over a month since I first started calling Spain home. Here are a few quirky, fun observations I've picked up on along the way!
1. They conserve a lot here. Since water is expensive they tend to take very short showers and limit how many times a week they do laundry etc. however, every night these big trucks and their crew of Ghostbusters with water guns come out to wash down every single street in the city
2. They don’t pick up after their dogs. Still think this one is gross, but at least they wash the streets every night.
3. No one ever told you that even if you know Spanish, you don’t know Andalucian Spanish. (the region of Southern Spain.) If you want to speak like a local, cut off words half way through and speak faster than you’ve ever heard anyone speak. Use terms like gracia (gracias =thank you), buenas (for buenos dias = good day), and porfa (for por favor = please).
4. Don’t expect there to ever, ever, ever, be toilet paper in any bathroom stall, anywhere. Bring your own.
5. People use diminutives constantly here. (adding “ito” to the end of a Spanish word to signify that something is little or to express endearment.) Perro becomes perrito, zapato (shoes) zapatito, etc. etc…
6. If you ask for just a coffee, expect an espresso. If you want an American coffee, ask for café con leche (coffee with milk), coffee with cream doesn’t exist.
7. Breakfast is nothing compared to breakfast in the U.S. Currently craving cereal, bagels, brunch, pancakes, bacon, eggs, and Cracker Barrel, because I’ve had one single piece of toast for breakfast every. single. morning. My roommate and I based our B&B choice for our trip to Cork because they had lots of pictures of real breakfast food (zero shame).
8.Its pretty much acceptable to have a drink (copa) anytime of day here… its always 5 o’clock in Spain. Really though, on my walks to class I'll see people at cafes enjoying coffees, or beers. Same thing really.
9. Every one will be dressed better than you (even when you’re really trying). Even the babies will be more stylish than you. It's also extremely common (and extremely adorable) to see siblings in the exact same outfit. But really, the Spaniards are always so put together, no nike shorts, oversized t-shirts, or sweatpants here.
10. People whistle and sing to themselves all the time here. At first I thought it was just my host-mom (who sings and whistles along to the American music that plays on all of the radio stations here every morning), but after exploring a bit I’ve noticed it a lot of people do it. Happy life = happy people I guess.
11.Vale. I’ve been taking Spanish since Kindergarten and have never learned this word until coming to Spain. It essentially means “OK,” but is only used in Spain. I think the Sevillanos say it 150 times per day at least. Also vosotros. My Spanish teachers said we would never need to know the vosotros verb form . . .well . . . I need to know it here.
1. They conserve a lot here. Since water is expensive they tend to take very short showers and limit how many times a week they do laundry etc. however, every night these big trucks and their crew of Ghostbusters with water guns come out to wash down every single street in the city
2. They don’t pick up after their dogs. Still think this one is gross, but at least they wash the streets every night.
3. No one ever told you that even if you know Spanish, you don’t know Andalucian Spanish. (the region of Southern Spain.) If you want to speak like a local, cut off words half way through and speak faster than you’ve ever heard anyone speak. Use terms like gracia (gracias =thank you), buenas (for buenos dias = good day), and porfa (for por favor = please).
4. Don’t expect there to ever, ever, ever, be toilet paper in any bathroom stall, anywhere. Bring your own.
5. People use diminutives constantly here. (adding “ito” to the end of a Spanish word to signify that something is little or to express endearment.) Perro becomes perrito, zapato (shoes) zapatito, etc. etc…
6. If you ask for just a coffee, expect an espresso. If you want an American coffee, ask for café con leche (coffee with milk), coffee with cream doesn’t exist.
7. Breakfast is nothing compared to breakfast in the U.S. Currently craving cereal, bagels, brunch, pancakes, bacon, eggs, and Cracker Barrel, because I’ve had one single piece of toast for breakfast every. single. morning. My roommate and I based our B&B choice for our trip to Cork because they had lots of pictures of real breakfast food (zero shame).
8.Its pretty much acceptable to have a drink (copa) anytime of day here… its always 5 o’clock in Spain. Really though, on my walks to class I'll see people at cafes enjoying coffees, or beers. Same thing really.
9. Every one will be dressed better than you (even when you’re really trying). Even the babies will be more stylish than you. It's also extremely common (and extremely adorable) to see siblings in the exact same outfit. But really, the Spaniards are always so put together, no nike shorts, oversized t-shirts, or sweatpants here.
10. People whistle and sing to themselves all the time here. At first I thought it was just my host-mom (who sings and whistles along to the American music that plays on all of the radio stations here every morning), but after exploring a bit I’ve noticed it a lot of people do it. Happy life = happy people I guess.
11.Vale. I’ve been taking Spanish since Kindergarten and have never learned this word until coming to Spain. It essentially means “OK,” but is only used in Spain. I think the Sevillanos say it 150 times per day at least. Also vosotros. My Spanish teachers said we would never need to know the vosotros verb form . . .well . . . I need to know it here.
This little cutie stole my laptop while I was trip planning in my favorite cafe. He was 100% dressed better than me.
Haven't quite adapted to the "drinking at anytime" norm. This Rioja was drank at a normal time (after dinner).
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Some friends and I found one of the only places in Sevilla that serves yogurt bowls and more substantial breakfast foods than just toast. It was amazing.