Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Students know best...

All July, students had been whispering its name in a hushed voice as they spoke amongst themselves. From their murmurings, it appeared that Salamanca was withholding another one of its gems from me. Jilted that a city I had spent more time in than they could be so elusive, I asked. "Leonardo's, número 9" they responded; their voices full of reverence and awe.

They had discovered one of the greatest fast-food establishments in the Iberian Peninsula. Leonardo's is a chain that specializes in quick, cheap, late-night eats that fill the stomach and satisfy the soul. Even though, at 37 years of age, I am out of my prime in the category of post-bar eating, I had to find a chance to try what had so enticed the students.

My first attempts were thwarted by its late hours: you see, Leonardo's does not open until 8 p.m. (and closes when?). My first excursions were turned away as mid-day jaunts to eat what is reserved for the nocturnal animals who drink and dance until way past 4 a.m. One of the last nights of the program, I found myself on the streets (early by Spain's standards - 10 p.m.) and relatively hungry. Leonardo's? Number 9? I was on a mission.

A friend of mine often says the number 9 is the last original number (the rest being a combination of the first 10 original digits). Was this a portend of greatness, the incredibility of what I was about to taste? Quite simply, yes. Words lack to describe the rush to the head the chicken, pork, cheese, grease, fat and sauce induce. Think of the first time you saw the Diag, realized you were in love or that Kevin Spacey was Keyser Söze in the Usual Suspects. Leonardo's number 9, the last original goodness in an over-saturated market of fast-food delights, delivers, on many different levels.

Unveiling the sandwich from its wrapper revealed a landscape bold, imposing and challenging. Much like Pizarro, surveying the Inca army, 80,000 strong, before the Battle of Cajamarca, I found myself wondering how to handle such an unwieldy opponent. Knife and fork? Lord, man, no! With both hands I dove in and soon realized the error of my ways. The chicken separated itself from the ham like a media rep for Mel Gibson on a three-day bender while the bun and lettuce went south before I could trap them with my pinkies. With a fist full of meat, cheese, lettuce and sauce dripping down between my fingers, I realized I was out-manned on this mission. It was time to call in reinforcements. Much as Bush Senior summoned the National Guard in 1992, I realized my only recourse were the utensils safely guarded in the drawer.

At a slower, and more relaxed pace, I could begin to appreciate what had so attracted my students. The combination of ham, poultry and cheese (think a Cordon Bleu without the deep-frying) accompanied with a cheap mayonnaise (and even cheaper bun) is delicious, filling and (dare I say?) glorious. Thank you, students, for insisting on visiting this hidden treasure of the Salamanca nightlife. I definitely do not fit the demographic profile of its target group, but enjoyed the product, nonetheless.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

I know I am a little late on this blog, but I figured better late than never =) Well I am currently in Italy with my family... still speaking Spanish everywhere I go! It is amazing to look back now on the 6 weeks I spent in Spain and realize how fast the time really did go by. The beginning of the trip, I am not even going to lie, I cried half the flight to Amsterdam. I was overwhelmed with excitement and also nervous to leave the country for the first time by myself. I really did not know what to expect, especially since we did not know much about our families, classes or even Salamanca. After all is said and done though, I can truly say I enjoyed and loved every second of my time in Spain. My family was absolutely amazing and by the time I left I felt like I was leaving my own family all over again. I exchanged emails and phone numbers with my brothers and we promised to keep in touch!

Since I have now experienced the Salamanca study abroad program, I feel like I could give a few words of advice... so here it goes:
-Being nervous is definitely okay and perfectly normal.. but make sure you're excited too!
-Since you will be living with another family of a different cultural background, there definitely can be some conflicts so make sure you communicate with your Señora about every little thing you are unsure about! Most of them are great ladies and want to make you feel at home so just be positive and have a good attitude!
-Do NOT stress about your classes... you're in SPAIN! So live it up because you never know when you'll be back again.
-Salamanca is a small town... so the same scene of the Michigan group hitting Camelot, Gatsby and Irish Rover can get a little old but make some local friends! Not only can you practice your Spanish, but they most likely will tell you a few spots in town you may not know about!
-TRAVEL, TRAVEL, TRAVEL!!! You're only in Spain for 6 weeks... so take advantage of being in Europe and travel every weekend you can. I traveled with 2 other girls every single weekend to a different city and I made some of the best memories. Yea, it definitely gets tiring, but take some vitamin C and do as much as you can!
-Embrace the culture and soak everything in... I never realized how much I learned and how much I accustomed to until I was speaking Spanish to the Italian taxi driver, wanting siestas every day around 4, not being hungry until 10:00 at night, and singing Shakira's Waka Waka all day, every day!

Well I could go on for days about my memories in Spain because I really just had the time of my life! It definitely makes me sad to think back and realize it is already over. As I read over other peoples posts I laugh at the memories we made and cry because I wish we were still there. Not only was Spain the best thing to improve my Spanish studies, but it was also the beginning of many new friendships and memories I can share for a lifetime!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Spanish Cuisine - a Jewel of Spain

When I first arrived in Spain, I honestly had no idea what I would be eating for the next 6 weeks. I was quickly surprised, however, by how amazing the food really was. I immediately fell in love with things like Paella, Spanish Tortilla, Ensalada Rusa, croquetas, and, of course, tapas. I am planning to cook some of these foods for my family here in the States, like paella, tortilla, and ensalada rusa. Hopefully, they will be as good as I remember!

I also feel lucky to have taken the Spanish Cooking Course offered by the Universidad de Salamanca. We learned how to cook many traditional Spanish foods, like tortilla, sangria, gazpacho, torrijas, pisto manchego, and more. Those cooking classes were definitely a highlight of my time in Spain.
When choosing what to present on for my final project, I thought of many things that I had learned about Spanish food and some of the main differences between eating in Spain and in the United States. I considered the types of foods eaten, when people eat, how tapas works, and other things. I eventually decided to focus my research on Spanish Paella, which is, for many people, the "national dish" of Spain (even though it is actually a Valenciana dish). I learned about where Paella came from, how to eat it in the traditional manner, and about the different types, like seafood, mixed, and black paella. Overall, learning about paella was a great learning experience, especially because it's not a dish that can be easily found in the United States.


Overall, I'm really glad I signed up for the food Practicum because I learned a lot, whether it be about the production of Spanish cheese and wine, how meats are cured, or simply new Spanish words for things like the kitchen and ingredients. I hope to continue learning more and someday return to Spain to explore foods from other regions of Spain, not just Castilla y Leon!

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Spanish Culture

As I sit in my hotel in Málaga, I honestly cannot believe that 6 weeks has already gone by and my time in Salamanca is complete. I remember being so nervous about the trip, and now that I look back, it was definitely an experience of a lifetime. I enjoyed getting to know everyone on the trip, getting used to living with two very old women, and learning about the culture of Spain. There were a lot of things about Spanish culture that took some getting used to. However, after getting over the shock of being in a new country, and really not knowing anyone, I have come to thoroughly appreciate and enjoy the culture of Spain.
One aspect of Spanish culture that excited me the most was the idea of Rebajas. I definitely love shopping, and to be in Spain during a time where almost every store has sales was so much fun. Rebajas happens two times a year. We were so lucky to be in Spain during one of these times. I definitely enjoyed discovering new stores, and also noticing the differences and similarities between stores in the United States and stores in Spain.
Another aspect of Spanish culture that I enjoyed was the extent of outdoor seating at restaurants. My family is very big on going out to eat. We also love to be outside and enjoy the weather, especially in the summer. In Michigan, it's definitely important to take advantage of good weather. Many times, we will pick a restaurant specifically because it has outdoor seating, since a lot of restaurants do not. I really enjoyed the fact that almost all restaurants in Spain have outdoor seating. I enjoyed being able to go to a bar, share some tapas with a friend and socialize.
The third aspect of Spanish culture that impressed me was how active the older generation is. During any given time of the day, there would be an older couple sitting on a bench or walking around on the streets. It could be midnight and there would still be numerous older people out and about. It seems to me that older people in the United States do not leave the house as often as they do in Spain. I definitely think that it benefits society to have an active older generation.
Overall, I will never forget my trip to Spain. Although it was not always easy, I learned to enjoy the culture and differences between Spain and the United States. I learned a lot about adjusting to difficult and different circumstances. I will carry this knowledge with me for the rest of my life and use the strategies I have developed to enjoy diversity. I will definitely miss Spain, and hope that I can someday return.

YO SOY ESPAÑOL ESPAÑOL ESPAÑOL!!!

I can't believe this trip is actually over! Coming into Salamanca that first week was so nerve-wracking but leaving the city and my host family actually made me cry!!! I had such an amazing experience throughout my time in Spain and I would not trade any part of it for anything. Everything from the culture, the food, the WORLD CUP (campeones!!!) and the other students on the trip made my time here in Spain so memorable.
Through the food practicum, my spanish cooking class, and my señoras cooking, I was able to learn so much about the food here in Spain! The first week practicum trips presented an interesting and unique experience that I don't think I would have sought out on my own. I was able to go to a cheese factory and not only see how cheese was made, but also hang out with the bulls and sheep that produced this cheese and then FEAST afterwards. Also, the wine and cheese tasting at the vineyard definitely didn't suck either... (LOVED IT). My cooking class was quite an experience as well. Although we didn't actually cook- watching a pseudo-live cooking show in Spanish was pretty cool and the food also tasted great!
Being in Spain during the World Cup (and world cup VICTORY) was also an amazing and once in a lifetime experience. Every game was like a Michigan football Saturday but 100 times more exciting. Before every game a group of us went out for Tapas to watch the first half then watched the remainder of the game with about 500 other people in a plaza by Corte Ingles. And after a victory- it was time to celebrate and we all of course went to the bars with the rest of the city! The whole country was in celebration practically our entire time in Spain and it is something that I will never forget.

Overall my time here in Spain was not only extremely rewarding but throughout the trip I created so many new friendships and memories that I will hold on to forever. I am so thankful that I had this opportunity to study abroad and I would love to spend even more time in Spain if I had the chance! VIVA ESPAÑA!!!
-Liz <3

Friday, August 6, 2010

¡Te amo España!

I don’t even know where to begin. This trip has been so eventful, I can’t believe it’s coming to an end. It was the first time I was really away from home and on my own and although the idea of living in Spain was exciting, it was so nerve-wracking to think that I was traveling across the world to come live with a stranger for 6 weeks! I knew study abroad programs are “life-changing” and a “must-do”, but in what way would it be “life-changing”? Would I end up having a terrible time in Spain? And if that were the case, then what? On top of that, I heard that meat is basically all they eat here (which is true) and since I’m a picky eater, I had to ready myself for a rough half of a semester. Finally, once I met my señora at the train station and was settled in, I stopped scaring myself. I immediately felt comfortable here and in an unexpected way, felt at “home.”
I’ve loved my time here in Salamanca and all the new things I’ve discovered and experienced. I’m glad I was in the food group for our practicum because we were able to visit a variety of factories such as cheese, wine, and ham. The processes of making each of these foods were incredibly interesting and one of a kind. It was perfect to learn about the making of these foods in a country that relishes them. I’m also very happy I took advantage of the weekends we had here and traveled, which I absolutely love doing. During the short time we had in Spain, I was able to go to San Sebastian, Valencia, Toledo, Ibiza, and Madrid (thanks to la tarjeta de mis padres!). Each place had something unique to offer and I was able to learn something different. Traveling definitely made time fly by but it made my stay more and more memorable. It was the best excuse to continue trying more Spanish foods that are authentic to each region such as la paella in Valencia (TWO THUMBS UP!).
The food here definitely was not as bad as I was expecting it to be. My señora made the best meals and was sweet enough to cook only what I liked. I didn’t know what I was eating half of the time, but that allowed me to try dishes that I probably never would have eaten elsewhere. Although it was a struggle to eat the amount of food my señora gave me, I still managed to try something new every time I went out. My favorite here has to be the churros con chocolate in Valor and el café frío in el reloj…not sure how I’ll satisfy my cravings back home.
It’s actually strange to say I’ve been studying in Spain these past few weeks because it still really hasn’t hit me. Although the culture, language, and surroundings were completely different, I felt as though Spain was not far from home. I loved wandering around and exploring places—new shops, restaurants, parks, and cafes. I’ve learned so much about the lifestyle, customs, and people here. I certainly plan to return to Spain in the future but until then…¡Hasta la vista España!

~Asha

Thursday, August 5, 2010

BEBIDAS

I have had an amazing time this summer in Salamanca. I didn't really make it south of the city, but I don't think I would have enjoyed that blazing heat anyways. I did get a chance to check out the biggest party in the world, los san fermines, and some incredible beaches up north, San Sebastian, Santander, and Barca.
Over the last six weeks, I have somehow become quite knowledgeable in regards to the local spanish drinks. They have some many combinations of drinks here, that we would never think to create back in the states. Since spain has some incredible wines, especially those coming out of the Rioja, many of these drinks involve vino as the base. These include the botellon specialty, kalimoxo which combines wine and coca-cola, tinto de verano which combines wine with soda water (casera here in spain), and also sangria. Sangria combines wine, fruit, sweetener such as sugar, brandy, triple sec, other spirits and ice. Most places uses red wine for sangria, but Segovia has the reputation to add white wine creating a unique flavor. All of these wine beverages are best served cold and help the spanish people bear the intense summer heat. Another refreshing drink here is clara de limón. It is a combination of beer and lemon soda. It is also served cold and has a very sweet taste, with the lemon taking away any bite from the beer. Other spanish specialties include cidra, a fermented type of juice, and la bota. La bota is an apparatus used to carry wine. It keeps the wine chilled in a small satchel like container. It is typically used by farmers and workers would cannot be inconvenienced by glass bottles while working and is also very common in Pamplona during san fermines.
More fun spanish drinks include, mojitos (a minty combinations of alcohols, mint, sugar, and lime) and agua de valencia (a large amount of cheap vodka, ice and orange pop for cheap). And if you are looking for a really fun drinking game, try out a porrón. It is a glass drinking apparatus that could be called the equivalent of a spanish beer bong. It has two arms extending out from a vase like basin; the first for filling it up and the other for pouring it out directly into your mouth. It is very difficult to do this without getting most of the beverage all over your shirt. I would highly recommend this, and since it is local to the north of spain it is hard to find a place to do this in Salamanca. The only place I encountered is Bar Su Casa just off of Calle Van Dick. What really surprised me about the porrón is that in the north, they have champions at this event. I do not quite know what this title entails, but I would love to see the competition that must precede it.
Thanks for everything Andy!

Este Verano en España

I'm having a hard time believing that our time in Salamanca has come to end. I have had so many cool and rewarding experiences this summer. Whether it be inside or outside of the classroom, I have learned a great deal of things over these past six weeks. In particular, the culture here in Spain is absolutely phenomenal. The food, the traditions, the daily customs, and the simple slow pace of live are all nice. The culture is absolutely amazing and it has definitely left a great impression on me.

One aspect of the culture that I appreciate the most is the gastronomy in Spain. The food industry in Spain is completely different from the United States and is innovative in many ways. I had no clue that food could be preserved and prepared in a manner that could make it taste so good! For example, when our group took an excursion to the ham factory, I realized that all the steps involved in the preparation of various meats are crucial to the quality and taste of the meat. One defining moment of that excursion was when we asked the guide about the molding of the meat. Prior to this, I did not know that the mold on the meat is actually a good thing because it indicates that there are still living organisms present, which means that the taste will be much better. Along with this, I did not know that meat could be cured for so long and still be edible. In fact, the best meats are cured for several years and the taste is absolutely great! Although the cost may be a little steep, the taste definitely counters any expenses!

Next, the entire tapa lifestyle in Spain is probably the best thing to happen to mankind! After the initial visit to Don Cochinillo, my friends and I began to try tapas at several restaurants across the city. Quite frankly, tapas could be one of the best deals ever! Getting a drink and tapa for only a few Euros is excellent. My favorite tapa restaurant is Don Cochinillo because I'm in love with the hamburgers there. The salsa that they put on the bun makes the burger delicious, and on many occasions I end up purchasing more than one tapa! (Can't resist the great taste!). Given this, I was inspired to do my final project on tapas and the role that they play in Spain, with a focus on Salamanca.

Lastly, I cant forget the desserts in Spain! I have tried and enjoyed many desserts in Spain that are very good. My favorite dessert is Flan because I like the savory flavor and distinct taste. I'm also a huge fan of Valor chocolate. This chocolate is similar to Hershey's in the States, but is much cheaper! Yesterday in class we sampled light and dark chocolate from Valor and it was the best! I'm definitely going to buy a bar before I leave on Saturday.

The food culture in Spain is indifferent from anywhere else in the world. Spain is the originator of some of the greatest recipes and is also home of many world renown restaurants. I love the food here and I want to cook the dishes that I learned about at home. Our culture class has enabled me to learn several things about Spanish food that I had no knowledge of before. I definitely took away many valuable things from each excursion, while enjoying them simultaneously. Thanks for a great culture class!





¡Viva España!


Being in Spain for the last six weeks has been one of the most rewarding experiences that I have ever had. I have to admit, I was a little nervous when I first came here; what if I didn't like my family or they didn't like me? What if I hated the food, the culture, and just didn't fit in? As it turned out, I absolutely adored my host mom, loved the food, everything about the culture, and all the people in the program!

There were a few major cultural points that thoroughly impressed me. First off was the World Cup. I think I can speak for everyone in saying that was one of the most entertaining experiences we had while here. We definitely chose the right time to study abroad in Spain. It floored me how passionate and how much the entire country came together as a whole to support their team. In Teresa's class, we discussed how even though Catalonia and Pais Vasco are autonomous regions, all of their papers and news programs were just as excited about the World Cup victory as the rest of Spain. Watching the game at Corte Ingles was an experience as well. I had so much fun throughout the entire Cup.

Secondly, although it took a little bit of getting used to, I have grown accustomed and actually enjoy the time/quantity they eat in Spain. Although, one thing that bothered me was that I always felt obligated to eat. My madre is one of the nicest people, but she always insisted that I ate more. After a while, it got kind of old. My favorite dishes were: Spanish tortilla, croquetas, all of the salads she made me. Sometimes there was a little too much fried food, but all around I really enjoyed my food experience.

I took three trips, one to Portugal, one to Toledo, and one to Granada/Sevilla. My favorite was Granada/Sevilla. I had been to both already, but it was very fun to be able to experience it with my friends and enjoy the night life.

Overall, my experience in Spain was amazing. I'm traveling for two weeks after, which will be an adventure. I loved Salamanca and my entire time here. I look forward to the next time I return.

Spain- a summary

First of all, I'd like to say that I cannot believe that this trip is coming to a close. It feels like yesterday that we were lugging our grossly overweight luggage from the train station only to sit under the penetrating Castilian sun. After immersing myself in the Spanish Culture for six weeks, I can confidently say that I am now well versed in the quotidian customs of a typical Spanish family, some of which I like, and some of which I dislike.
I am truly impressed with how social Spaniards are. Every time I encounter someone in my apartment building, casual conversation ensues as if the building was some sort of community. New Jersians rarely exchange pleasantries with strangers so it's definitely a positive experience for me. It also impresses me how dedicated the Spaniards are towards their friends. Even the oldest, least physically stable Salamancans leave their houses every night to reunite with their friends. In inspires me that these people continue to meet, probably as they have been doing for years, despite their physical struggles.
I've also truly enjoyed my experiences sampling different tapas, especially at Don Cochinillo. I am a lover of food and being able to sample lots of different kinds of foods delicious foods that I've never tried before is a real treat for me. It's also amazing to me how cheap it is. In the United States, you would be hard pressed to find drinks as cheap as Don Cuchinillo's let alone with a free, generous portion of food.
I have to admit, I abhor the Spanish eating and sleeping schedule- it's incredibly inefficient! I believe that this is the paramount reason that Spain's economy perennially struggles. First, it is not smart to have a small breakfast of only carbohydrates and then wait 6 hours until the next meal. Every day I'm so hungry that I'm driven to the nearest cafe bar to buy a small tapa. I have yet to pass the time between breakfast and lunch without thinking about persistent hunger. Also, Spaniards go to bed very late and wake up quite early, forcing them to take a siesta. It's a cycle. When I get little sleep at night, I have to sleep during the day but when I sleep during the day, I get little sleep at night. This cycle drains my energy and I'm almost always in some sort of a drowsy state.
In the beginning of the trip, I honestly had doubts as to how the trip would turn out. Not until a week or two ago did I realize that this was definitely a life changing experience- learning all about the Iberian Peninsula, and forging impenetrable friendships along the way.

Soy de la roja!


Besides vacationing in Mexico at all-inclusive resorts, Salamanca has been my first trip outside of the United States where I've had the opportunity to learn about another country's culture, language and history. Therefore, even though I had hit a couple bumps in my travels to Salamanca at the beginning of the program, this truly has been an extremely influential, amazing and life changing experience for me.

I have greatly enjoyed my Senora, Pepi, who Monday-Friday babysat her 8 month old grandson (named Jesus and is absolutely adorable) and also had her daughter and son-in-law over for lunch each day. Lunch always consisted of at least three courses and her paella was definitely my favorite meal. Her family is extremely nice. Pepi is a history buff, so it was interesting to hear her perspective after I would come home after class and talk with her about all the new and interesting events I had learned about. I loved spending time with them and will greatly miss our time together when I leave Spain.

Three experiences that I found extremely interesting about the culture in Spain are as follows.

First, in early July, a group of friends and I got tickets and attended a Flamenco dancing show. Before arriving in Spain, I had heard of Flamenco, however after I went and saw the live performance, I now have gained a whole new perspective. I've learned there are many different variations of Flamenco and that it is most popular in Andalucia. The show we saw in Palacio del Congresos in Salamanca, had four female dancers in semi-formal dresses, one male guitarist, one male drummer and a male singer. Historically, originating from the gypsy culture, the flamenco songs have been the musical outlet of the poor and oppressed. I had not known about the style of history of Flamenco, prior to this performance, so listening to this type of music and watching the various dances were a completely new, but very enjoyable learning experience for me.


Secondly, the meal schedules and hours of siesta in Spain are very intriguing and completely different from the United States. From the hours of 1:30 to 4:30, most all shops are closed down for the employees to go home to their families in order to eat lunch and to take a siesta. Then the shopping and grocery stores will stay open until about 8:30 p.m. and most restaurants will stay open much later because Spaniards do not normally eat dinner until around 11 at night. At first, especially with class starting at 9:30 in the morning, I found it extremely difficult to adjust to the schedule, but once I discovered CarreFour cookies, my hunger has been able to hold out between meals. :)















Finally, as Campeones del Mundo, Spain has truly amazed me with their patriotic and united support for the country's soccer team. Growing up, I never played soccer nor really enjoyed the sport, however during my time spent in Spain I've experienced history being made (well, not completely since we were stranded on the side of the highway in Portugal for the final game) and have gained a new understanding and appreciation for soccer. Watching the games on the big screen at Corte Ingles and seeing the excitement and absolute chaos of the town after each victory was definitely a once in a lifetime experience that I feel so lucky to have been a part of. Also, with our Cursos history teacher, a group of us got to go play a game of pick-up soccer at the University fields across the river, and I scored a goal!

All in all, my first trip to Europe has been a success and already I am thinking about when my next trip back to Spain could be. During my stay, I've visited Andalusia, San Sebastian, Toledo, Segovia, Portugal, Madrid and Salamanca, of course, but I never got to get over to see the Mediterranean. Therefore, hopefully on my next trip I can stay in Barcelona and travel down to Valencia too.

Hasta Luegoooooo!

¡$PAIN!




If there's one modernized country that knows how to pinch a penny, or a one cent euro, it's Spain. After spending 6 weeks in Salamanca, I've noticed that most people don't drive cars (and those that do, do so sparingly), don't talk or text on their cellphones constantly, and are very conscious of how much electricity/water they use.

Because Salamanca is a reasonably sized city there's always something to do, and the best part is that it's all within walking distance; whether you want to go to the park, see a movie, attend a concert, or pass the time with friends at a cafe. Going back and forth between my señora's apartment and all of these places by foot, however, did take some getting used to. What has also been rather impressive is that even older people (age 75 and up) are frequently out walking around/exercising once the sun starts to go down. Spaniards in general probably see it as more economical to wear out a pair of walking shoes over the course of a year than to go through a tank of gas in a month.

But driving is not the only luxury Spaniards gladly go without on a daily basis. Because of the monopoly on cellphones in Spain, calls/texts are more expensive. It is very uncommon to see someone walking down the street with their fingers glued to the phone of their keyboard or talking to themselves with a blue-tooth headset stuck in their ear. Also, unlike on campus at U of M, it's very rare to see someone (from Spain) listening to an mp3 player as they walk from place to place. Instead of wracking up their phone bills and technologically isolating themselves, Spaniards arrange times to meet together at cafés and socialize.

Finally, like in any major city in America, electricity and water do not come cheap. So, turning off the lights whenever you leave a room and taking record-speed showers is common practice. It also makes more sense to keep the lights off in the house throughout the day because it's already hot enough without any heat slightly added by lamps.

Such a conscientious way of life, while in stark contrast to my life in the US, is actually very easy to do. I wouldn't mind not driving 20 minutes one way to the movie theatre, having a conversation with someone without them checking their phone for a text message, or saving money on electricity. Perhaps, just as the US has been a model for modernity, Spain can be a model for modesty.