Sarcasm

If you don't know Spanish...don't try to joke with a waiter.  It won't work.

Observacíon #16

Apparently in Spain the Don't Walk signs at crosswalks are merely suggestions.

Observacíon #15

Normally women have all the options for hairstyles.  What can a boy do? Long, buzzed, faux hawk?


Not in Spain.  Popular among the young men are loooooooong dreadlocks to their butts with the sides of their head shaved.  (This also appears in reverse...long dreads on the side and shaved in back.)  It is the strangest version of a mullet I  have ever seen.  My senora calls the dreadlocks "rastas."  Among the younger male crowd I have noticed wear their hair sticking straight up! About 4 inches with the tips bleached white.  Basically it's uber attractive.

Observacíon #14

Cats like to be in trees.  Apparently anytime in America we call on the Firemen to get those cats down, we are depriving them of their natural habitat.

Observacíon #13

The Asian Convenience.

It turns out that the cheapest food here is the Japanese and Chinese food!  And the best place to eat after all the tapas bars close? Clearly an Asian convenient store.  Thank goodness for the many cultures of Spain.  :)

Observación #12

The ambulances look different but sound the exact same here. Ah a taste from home :)

Observación #11

The oranges on the trees here are not for eating...they are very very sour. Although we know better, these trees are like the forbidden fruit...Narea warned us, but all we want to do is reach out and take a bite!

Observacíon #10

When you travel abroad they make copies of your passport for EVERYTHING.  We stayed at the hostel--they needed our passports.  We register for classes--they need copies of our passports.  We change money at the bank--THEY need to make copies of our passports.  If I wanted to escape or plan a large international heist it would  not work because they force you to have a paper trail.  How could we ever have a Bourne Identity type adventure? 

Observación #9

Yes, the Spanish are fashionable...but even the babies here are trendy! From their tricked out strollers to their mini designer shoes. I could learn a lesson from these itty bitty pretty ones!

Observación #8

You don't need to tip in Spain! Waiters/bartenders/etc get full salary, benefits, and holidays. They believe what we do in America is labor exploitation.

Observación #7

Gypsy rosemary is free...their palm readings or not. Beware or they will do their secret gypsy call and rob you if you don't pay them. Thank you Kelly Gustafson (no robbing took place in the creation of this post).

Observación #6

Tapas Bars/Restaurants are made for 5 people to eat in at a time...but then people are also there for large amounts of time...we have yet to find out how they stay in business..

Observación #5

It is rude to yawn/stretch during class. Even if you can't help it, tiene descreta! But, if you have to pee don't stand up and ask...Kaye Foley :) She's our hero!

Observación #4

Despite the fact that siesta means "rest," siestas are not for naps- they are for lunch, your biggest meal of the day. This Both school and work allow ample time for this meal. Parents leave work to pick up their children from school, enjoy they meal together, go back to work and school. Then once their day has ended have a light dinner and go to bed. But this really screws with us American who cannot do bread and coffee for breakfast.

Observación #3

Business in the front, dreadlock mullet in the back = instant sexy. For those of you who remember spanish exchange students in high school...they have upgraded the "party in the back" to more of a trippy hippy hangout.

Observación #2

Cigarettes are a part of the food pyramid here...or an extra appendage of the hand. People smoke with breakfast, walking, buying stamps, before/during/after dinner, in bars...they even provide ashtrays in our hostel in which it says NO smoking...figure that one out!

Observación #1

The Spanish are very trusting of their dogs. Dogs walk around in the city freely without leashes...even in airports (although I think it's frowned upon). If you don't watch where you step you will soon find they are allowed to poop freely as well.