Similarities and Differences

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Now that I have had time to adjust to Spain, I would like to share what I have noticed is different between Spain and the US. I would like to stress that different does not mean worse (or better). All the differences contribute to the overall experience and help me better understand the culture.

Spain (This does not apply to all of Spain, only to my experience in my house) :

No dryers - the clothes hang on balconies outside

The toilet handle hangs from the ceilling

They do not drink cold milk. For breakfast, my senora warms up milk in the microwave with a little coffee.

Showers must be extremely short.

Lights are almost never to be used. (Water and electricity are very expensive)

The converter makes my hair dryer act very weird, so I usually don't use it.

Salads are doused in salt.

My bed squeaks with every movement and the springs press into my back. (okay this one sounds complaining, but again, it will make me better appreciate dorm beds)

This is a hard one for me: No one wears sweat pants. or athletic shorts. or baseball hats. Even if you feel like dressing comfortable, don't. strange.

There is NO organization in street walking! Let me explain to you the transportation system I witness: I live on the street Maria Auxiliadora across from a big store called Corte Ingles (The basement is a supermarket, the next 7 floors are similar to a giant Macy's/Sears with basically everything you need. It is the mall put into one store). On the one end of Maria Auxiliadora is the public pool. On the other (far) end of the street is the river. In the middle is la Plaza Mayor. The walk from my house to the Plaza is atrocious. This is because there is no organized walkway. First of all, everyone treats the street as a sidewalk. This might be okay if all the walkers moved to the right side of the street. But no, everyone goes in every direction and they do not move out of the way. This road is impossible to run on because it is so crowded, but it leads to the parks and also the university. I love how everything is on this street, but why must it be so cluttered?

Kids stay out very late here. and I don't mean teenagers, I mean little kids like 5 years old are running around the Plaza at midnight. The other day, a group of kids were playing kick the can, and kicked it right under our table. I picked it up to throw it to them and every kid in the group of about 15 was screaming for me to pass it to them. I got nervous and threw it in the center and they all sprinted after it.

I must not forget the differences that I have noticed that I adore:

The passion for soccer here is unbelievable. Team pride is everywhere.

People also get very into each festival they have. For instance, the Festival of San Fermine is this weekend and the whole country is watching the running of the bulls. (I will never understand that cultural tradition though)

The weather is WONDERFUL. It is very hot, but I enjoy that and it is dry heat not humid. It is great to be able to sit outside and read or do homework or run at all times of the day and not need to wear a jacket when you go outside.

I get to talk to people from ALL over the world. I witness this at UM too, and there is no end to how much you can learn.

La Plaza Mayor is simply stunning. There is no place like it at home. In fact, in Shelby Twp. kids are always complaining that there is nothing to do, no place to go that does not cost money. The Plaza is this place for the town. Every single night it is packed with people just sitting around, talking, getting ice cream or a drink, singing together, or meeting to go out together.

Crosses and religious symbols are everywhere. The shops sell beautiful religious figures for home.

Churros and chocolate.

Rebajas! (the sales)