For those of you who know me a little too well, let me say old habits do NOT in fact die hard. I have been shopping 3 times, each time a success. I now have un abrigo, un goro, una bufanda, botas, and of course a cardigan. Oh, and apparently the whole "equestrian" look is in fashion right now. (Thank you, Zara) I bought a ballin' jacket that I would like to call my 'smoking jacket' smoking b/c it's hot and because I could see an old man wearing it smoking cigars. Hooray for the old man look.
My school is like any other school. Public schools are crazy, those of us who attended know how students can be mean and outrageous. At least the teachers I had attempted to control them. Something I've seen lacking in a lot of the classes I assist is a little CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT. How am I supposed to help X subject with English vocabulary if I'm in a zoo. Other than that, all the teachers are lovely. Everyone speaks to everyone and says goodbye when they leave. It feels like my southern home away from home. I've reached the culmination of being an educator: the faculty room, equipped with instant coffee machines, and the faculty restrooms. I enjoy helping out with English class the most (obviously).
Now, let's get down to what I really want to talk about: the differences in American and Spain, things I miss and don't miss.
1. I like the weather here. They actually have a cold fall, ya know..like it's supposed to be. The only thing is..it's dry here. My hair loves it, skin not so much. I have to layer up for the morning trek to work, and take off layers for the trek home.
2. This town is probably slightly bigger than Oxford. The transportation difference is amazing. Yes, plenty of people have cars, almost everyone, but most people walk or ride bikes. For instance, I ride my bike every day to and from the school. Walking it would be about 20 minutes. How invigorating! Getting a bike when I get back to America. Watch out Oxford.
3. Shops do in fact close at 1:30 or 2 for lunch and reopen at 4:30 or 5. Lunch is served generally at 2 or after, and dinner at 9 or after. (That's a big adjustment for me given that I like to eat promptly at 12 and 7)
4. I miss having Chinese take out. I have sampled a buffet, and it wasn't bad. But I'm craving H20 chicken fried rice and Two stick sushi and dumplings.
5. They've never heard of Dr. Pepper or Root beer. If America is the mastermind advertising country with exported products everywhere......WHY NOT TWO COLAS THAT ARE AWESOME! It's coke or coke lite here (that's diet coke)
6. Finally found marshmellows, now just to find graham crackers so I can make s'mores for these people. Coupled with this one is the fact no one has heard of Hershey's. I guess I never realized Hershey's was American until I Googled it. Nestle is what they have. Though it will suffice, the tastes are distinct, and I need Hershey's. Someone send me a bag of kisses.
7. They thought Greek life was fake. One of the hardest things to explain in Spanish is a sorority. As far as s'mores, roasting marshmellows over fires, Halloween extravaganzas, and Greek life go, I've received the same response "Yeah I've seen that in the movies,"...and mine back is, "Oh, well, we really do those things".
8. I gave an entire class on Halloween yesterday. I didn't realize how much we actually DO for this holiday. I mean, haunted houses, school events, parties, corn field mazes, hay rides, games, etc. And I couldn't given a reason WHY. Well, I guess because at some point All Saints Day started out as some tradition, but now we just like to eat candy and go have a party. Here, if you knock on the door and the family doesn't give you candy, you throw eggs at their doors. Strange. And yes, people visit their families graves. They've been cleaning the tombstones all week, and today everyone is taking flowers to their family graves. I think this tradition is endearing and special.
9. Everything is cooked with olive oil. There are olive trees everywhere. The father of the family I live with has a glass of red wine with lunch, and white with dinner. I'm the only other person in the house who drinks with him. Every wine I've tried has been from my region. It's all wonderful. This family cooks for me (thank the Lord above or I would STARVE), and all the food is so healthy. Last night we had grilled squid with grilled red and green peppers with onions. And there's always a salad of fresh tomatoes, olives, tuna, onions, sometimes tuna, sometimes apple, and oil and vinegar. I've had empanadas, tapas up to my eyeballs, cocido, tortilla espanola, and everything traditional except paella. The food is amazing. That's all I can say. I've liked everything I've tried except for sardines. Just...can't...do it. They also have a special bread they make here. It's sort of like the mix between a donut and a pancake but flat. SOOO good. Thought my coffee intake as become almost nonexistent apart from school, I do drink earl grey tea like it's my job.
10. Today is the first day I've seen it rain. They don't really have thunderstorms here. I miss thunderstorms that roll in at 3 and are finished at 5.
11. I miss American football. My eyeballs are going to bleed with all the soccer on tv. I miss boiled peanuts and Porky's bbq nachos. Hotty Toddy. Ya know, maybe I'll just spontaneously burst out with a chorus of Hotty Toddy. It wouldn't be any weirder than creating a mustache with my hair all the time.
12. Disappointed with the selection of alcohol brands. But I'm a simple gal, easy to please, so coke and rum will do it. OH, yeah, coke...They serve coke with lemon. Like in restaurants when you ask for water, usually it comes with lemon, here no. The coke comes with lemon...and so does Corona(not a fan, want limes). But when we went east, my coke came with lime. Lovely.
13. Here is a tradition America should adopt: tapas. I mean, you order a coke and you get free food. Two weeks ago I had one beer, one coke, and one juice and ate so much that I couldn't eat dinner. Tapas consist of some sort of meat(sausage, ham, squid, chorizo), and olive olive, and bread. Also, the ham here is to die for. All the cured meats are amazing, but the ham is heavenly.
14. Medical care is free. Just saying.
15. When you rent movies from the store, you pay when you bring it back. Something I thought strange.
16. They're obsessed with mayo. Not my thing. But more power to them because they're all skinny anyway.
17. There's a bazillion castles. Laura asked me, "Do you have castles in America?". I replied, "No, but we have Indian mounds." Our country ain't that old.
That's all I have for now folks. If any more differences strike me, I shall let you know. Ah, one more: my boyfriend isn't here and that's what I miss the most.
