Spain has been one of the best experiences of my life. In these last few days I?ve come to realize how different the culture here truly is from America. One of the biggest differences that I?ve noticed is the general attitude towards time. Everything in Spain is all about enjoyment versus the U.S. where it?s about efficiency and timeliness. For example, you average dinner could take anywhere from one to three hours easily. Another difference is in the night life. Comparing it to what we have back in the states it is insanely different. Instead of going home at 2 am when everything is closed, people start going out around 1:30-2 am, getting home around four or five in the morning.?
Food was also another factor for me on this trip. In America, you can pay very little and get an enormous amount of food. In Spain, this is not true. If you are wanting to have a filling meal – instead of what I would consider to be a snack – be ready to open your wallet. Something really interesting as well is that there is almost no beef in Spain. The main meat is pork or jam?n which is an essential part of every meal. Overall, the quality of the food was excellent with salmon being one of my favorite parts due to it being sourced from Spanish rivers! However, one thing I did not like was how prevalent sardines were in Spanish cuisine.?
Furthermore, one of the most important things I realized during my trip in Spain is that history is everywhere. No matter where you go, someone or something has been there. America? is a child compared to the age of Spain, having places where you know people have never been. However, in Spain even if you are hiking or looking out over the plains or hills, you can see where masons have carved out rock or notice what possibly could?ve been a well. It is incredible to me that no matter where you go there is always more to that place than you could ever guess. On top of this, all the places that we went to see Toledo, Montjuic, Sagrada Familia, Madrid, and so many more were incredible. Each of them had art or structures that were the embodiments of the people that built or created what we now know as a part of history.?
Lastly, I am so grateful for having such a wonderful group of people on this trip. Each person was actively seeking ways to help out others. What’s astounding to me is how close complete strangers can get after only one month together abroad. Compared to the beginning of the trip I talk to these people as if I?ve known them for years. I know for a fact that on this trip I have created friendships that will last.
