So, there are many things about Spain that are, well, different. To start off with, I will talk about the food. Most people/families buy bread every day. With every meal: breakfast, lunch, dinner - bread. Bread with everything. 'Tis the country of carbs. Also, they really like mayonnaise. One tragic meal about a month ago, I found a place that offered "Mexican tacos" with as a tapa. I ordered a veggie taco, hoping for something with a faint resemblance to what I consider a "Mexican taco", and was crushed when I got my taco, and inside of it was mayo with a side of shredded lettuce and carrots. Oh the tragedy! They also really like fried foods, although I hear that maybe I am incorrect in saying that "most" food is fried. Apparently, this is only true with tapas, and not for "meals". Since tapas are so cheap, I have yet to stretch and get an expensive full on meal. Well, maybe that is not right. I go to lunch with my teachers, and yes there are many things that are offered that aren't fried, but they are doused in oil, so I am not feeling the healthiest, although there is some good food. Spanish food is not my favorite cuisine, but oh well, Spain is still great!
Also, as I have stated before, Spain takes a long time to get things done. Their favorite phrase seems to be "No pasa nada" - meaning, "don’t worry about it". Something I find a little odd about the frequency of this phrase, is that they say it for things that I would deem important… like my residency card. After about a two month process, I picked up my residency card yesterday that acts as my visa extension and my official identity for Spain. Just as in the USA you need a form of identification, this works in the same way as an identification card (if you do not have a drivers license). Well, upon receiving my card yesterday, I noticed that my address on it is incorrect… which I think is important. I mean, I suppose that I can always correct people if they look at my card and use it for important reasons, but when I let them know that my address was incorrect, they just replied "No pasa nada". Well, if they say so…
Another thing, it will be nice when I do not have to check the weather before I do my laundry, although I am quite thrilled that I actually have a washing machine, unlike in Greece. There is a downside of having a washing machine though. I absolutely must either leave my house, or make sure I am doing something very noisy while using the washing machine because it squeaks and makes the sound like they use in horror movies when the psycho is running after you with a knife… ya know the "rreee reee ree reee" sound!? Yes, that is what my washing machine sounds like. It is really scary, and of course annoying. Currently, I can hear the distant sound of it in my kitchen screeching away, and my music just doesn't seem to block it out.
Alas, if any of this sounds like complaining, it really isn't… it is just my amused observations of a few things going on in my life…
Well, more to come. I finally have internet now, but I am keeping very busy traveling, working, teaching private lessons, and living la vida espanola!
And, I leave you with this picture of me in my lovely city of Granada. Mom, I thought you would like it because of all of the cacti!!!!! I LOVE GRANADA!!!!!!
