Hola Espana! – Allison Flores

While we have only been in Spain for a few days, it feels like a lifetime ago that I was in College Station, Texas.? It wasn?t until I was on the plane that I began to feel excited. For months, I had been mentally preparing myself for the trip to get canceled, so I couldn?t believe it when we left the ground.? Even having traveled to Europe before, I had no idea what to expect in Spain.? I was nervous about the language barrier, especially with the Catalonian dialect.? My family has Mexican and Spanish heritage, and I was curious to see what similarities and differences existed between the two cultures.? Already, I was familiar with late meals that lasted for hours.? Even in the United States, it has surprised me how unfamiliar some of my friends are with Hispanic foods, music, and mindsets that are completely normal to me.? For example, it is expected that I put family first, and I realized many of my non-Hispanic friends were not raised this way.? For me, this usually meant frequent gatherings at my grandmother?s house with too many cousins, aunts, and uncles to count.? Everyone is a little too involved in each other?s business, and we considered my grandma the glue of our family.? Traditional foods like tamales, barbacoa tacos, and Menudo were always part of the menu, and there was an expectation to be able to make them perfectly.? I have noticed similar values are prioritized in Spain.? Rarely have I seen people eating alone, and the streets are lively until late at night.? Meals are at the center of the community.? There also seems to be common respect towards the elderly members of the family in both Mexican and Spanish cultures.? In terms of other expectations, I was anxious and eager to make friends with my classmates.? I also wondered what the Spanish people would be like.? Would they despise us as tourists or welcome us into their country?? However, aside from these worries, I also had great anticipation about seeing incredible feats of architecture with my own eyes.? Many friends and family members sent suggestions like Park Guell, the Magic Fountain of Montjuic, and Casa Batllo to visit while I am here.? Already, we have visited notable places like La Sagrada Familia, La Rambla, and the Gothic Quarters. ?Now that I have several days under my belt, I can confidently say I am all in.? My Spanish is improving every day, and I plan to challenge myself to speak it more often.? Many locals are friendly and willing to speak English if I need some help. ?I am already fond of my peers, and I hope that some will be lifelong friends.? In addition, I will continue my adventurous attitude in trying new foods and asking locals for recommendations.? So far, my favorite discovery is caf? con Leche!? Not only that, but my goal is to maximize each day by saying ?yes? to as many sights and activities as possible to become immersed in the culture.? That also means putting my phone away and having conversations.? I am greatly looking forward to the rest of this adventure in Spain!