I will spend some time talking about the spanish culture and some differences it has with ours, but first let me sum up what I have been up to in the last couple weeks. I got back from Berlin March 15th. The next week was a pretty chill one, and the weather was amazing! I lay on the beach on a couple of the days and now am pretty tan =).
Seriously, though, I was able to spend Friday morning on a island beach they have near Santander for a personal retreat. It was wonderful to just hear from God and worship Him for an entire morning. On Saturday, we went to the mountain town of Covadonga, where the Christian forces held off the complete Muslim conquest of Spain in 722. Suposedly the Virgin Mary appeared to the soliders right before the battle to encourage them and help them the battle. Later, we went to beautiful snowmelt lakes. We were at the top of what are called the Picos de Europa. Some of the most gorgeous sights I have ever seen. What a great Creator we have!
This weekend, we are in two towns on the west side of Spain (near Portugal), Leon and Salamanca. I write this from Leon. Our group is really starting to get comfortable with one another, and I think it will be muy divertido for these fews days here.
As for Spanish culture:
The most general thing I could say that the Spanish perspective on life is much more relaxed then ours. The attitude is to not worry about the small things of life. When the weather is nice, they stop what they're doing and go out and walk around. They don't worry about eating rich food, or smoking. Their schedule is crazy. On a normal day, most people will get up no earlier than 7:30 (the owner of my house, a high school professor, leaves for work around 8:15). I get up around 8:00. Breakfast is something light- toast, coffee or hot chocolate. Then everyone goes to work until 2:30, when almost everything closes for Siesta. There is nothing open! People do various things during the siesta, either sleeping, just watching TV, or walking around. But it's hard to stay awake because the Spaniards eat a huge meal at 2:30, usually at least two courses. With a full belly and not much to do, I usually do sleep a little ;).
Stores reopen and life resumes at 5:00 in the tarde (afternoon). Stores are almost open until 9:30, after which everyone comes back to eat cena (dinner)- usually just a sandwitch or leftovers. And then it is fiesta time! The craziest partiers don't start partying until 2:00 am and won't finish until 5:00 am on weekends.
Drinking by people of all ages is very common here. It is strange to see young kids out on the streets around midnight and also in bars. Many, many teenagers smoke also- and more than half the population smokes in general. Another strange thing is to see very old people on the streets. Walking around is called dando un paseo and many of these folks in their 80's or 90's have been making the same paseo for decades. And they're still kicking!
One other thing: Spain has the lowest productivity rate per capita en Europe. Work is not important, and more emphasis is put on enjoying life. The problem with this of course is that every person is called to cultivate the earth, not just enjoy it. There is not the drive to progress, to improve, to diet, to work overtime like there is in America.
Of course, there are hard-working people in Spain, not everyone is lazy. At first, people do not seem as friendly as back home- they will not greet a stranger in the street or on the bus, for example. But once you start talking to them, they are usually willing to help and are kind. Some people are exceptionally warm and friendly. They are wonderful to talk to, and you can practice your spanish with them! There is amazing differences between meeting a American, even in Europe, and a Spaniard.
If there is anything you are curious about, I will be glad to answer you questions!
Missing you guys!
-Charlie
Posts
1 comment:
Hey Charlie,
It seems like most of time you are having fun! =) talk to you later!
P.S. Go North Carolina!!!!!
Post a Comment