As I've adjusted more and more to the Spanish culture I've been able to distinguish things I think are funny/weird/great. I thought I would list some of them for you:
1. There are a lot of twins in Spain. I don't know what else to say about this but I've talked with other fellow Americans and they say the same thing. So that's that.
2. American music is played A LOT all over. When I'm shopping and I hear a song in English I feel good about myself because I think "hah! something I can understand and you can't!" Not that I'm bitter towards Spanish-speakers I just enjoy understanding something without focusing really hard.
3. Sandals are unheard of here at this time of year. Nonetheless, I wear them. Just because they're comfortable and easy. But everytime I do I get people asking me if my toes are cold (to which I respond, no, I wear sandals in the snow in Washington) and I get the surprised look of the random lady walking by me. I've been trying to figure out what makes me stand out as an American and sandals are one. Second, Spanish women wear lots of make-up. Third, people don't wear rain jackets here. But I love mine. So I wear it. The other day Jackie and I were walking in the center and two teenage girls asked if they could interview us because they had to interview Americans. Geez we really stand out.
4. No juice. Well that's not true. But we always drink water with our meals. I miss orange juice so much. I've tried to buy some in the store but both times it's been sunny-Dish. Sick. But the oranges here are delicious. So I know there must be real orange juice out there somewhere.
5. Dessert=fruit, not chocolate. This has been very different for me. Yogurts and bananas are dessert. But to me, that's like a healthy snack. Thus, Jackie and I have devoured 3 large jars of nutella that Charri graciously replenishes for us. We're working on cutting back. But man it's difficult. Tomorrow's Thursday though. That means ice creammmmm.
6. Two things that people do a lot here: watch TV and smoke. My host sister's weekends literally consist of staying out until 6am or later, sleeping until 2 and then watching TV/smoking until she goes out that night. The TV is always on. Maria loves the Simpsons. And EVERYONE smokes. I talked to one of Maria's cousins about it and he was telling me how he knows it's bad for him but it's just something he does. He started young and it's such a social thing that he hasn't stopped. I tried to convince him to stop but I don't think it worked. I also tried to convince him that the American meal-time schedule is better/more healthy than Spain's. I think I lost that one too.
I'm sure there's more but I will save those for a later post.