Howdy!
This week classes came to an end, and as the Europeans say, we?re on holiday! It feels so nice not having to put an early alarm anymore. But most importantly, I am very excited and looking forward to have even more time to explore and enjoy the city. This week I have found myself with more free time in the mornings. This allows me to make a solo coffee run. These alone moments are crucial for me as an introvert. Not only do I get to recharge my social batteries but this also allows me time to reflect and listen to some music. While in Spain I?ve been listening to a lot of music by Spanish artists. When I go back home and listen to these same songs I?ll get to be reminded of my time in Spain.
Coffee. I think it?s impossible to find a bad cup of coffee here (or at least I haven?t come across bad coffee yet). One thing I?m going to miss the most is the fact that you don?t even have to find a coffee shop. Any restaurant or food establishment will have great ?cafe con leche?. Also been enjoying brown sugar with my coffee which is something I do not usually put in my coffee back home. Brown sugar is an option almost everywhere which is something that you don’t see as often in the United States. I will also miss the coffee prices. I feel like any espresso drink back home usually ranges from $4-$6, whereas here a cafe con leche is around ?1.5.
One thing that took us a while to get used to (and if I?m being honest, I don?t think we?ve fully gotten used to it) is taking our time when we eat. Back in the states, when you go out to eat lunch or dinner at a restaurant, it is usually way more rushed and you basically just go and eat and as soon as your meal is finished you?re heading out. But here, people usually take their time to eat and stay after their meal to chat. Sometimes we are so eager to get going and keep seeing more of the city that we rush out of the restaurants. Another big difference is how the waiters kind of let you do your own thing. In the United States, waiters usually come up to the table often to ask if you are missing anything or to ask how the food came out. Here, that is not the case. I had read online that Europeans consider it rude to interrupt often during the meal. Personally, I enjoy that they don?t come up as often simply because most of the time they catch me mid bite.
It is so crazy to think that we are more than halfway through the program. Surprisingly, I still do not feel home sick at all. I really have felt extremely comfortable in Spain and in Barcelona specifically which has helped me not feel home sick.