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So I've noted a lot of differences on this journey, but most of them haven't felt culturally deep, even if they are. Missing water fountains, good trains, legal prostitution and pot, driving on the left, bakeries, clerks who get to sit down... A lot of this is random, or could be changed easily by law, even if getting a legislature to make the change would be really hard. And what feels deep is totally subjective, like the intuitiveness of geometry proofs. And on prostitution and drugs I view the Dutch as too conservative and my fellow Americans as incomprehensible aliens. But everyday life can be like the US, with some quirks and a different language.
In Spain, a difference in lifestyle is harder to avoid. From what I belatedly read, a Spaniard has a light breakfast, then a huge meal at 1 or 2 pm, followed by siesta nap. Further hunger is abated by tapas snacks, because meal 3 will be a medium dinner after 9 pm, with a nightlife easily going past 2 am.
And I've seen it and been part of it. Places were closed in mid-afternoon. The most economical big meal is what initially scared me, the menu del dia (menu of the day) where you get a first and second course, dessert, and coffee from a changing menu for far less than ordering those items off the regular menu. I haven't been out at 8pm yet, but I did go out from 10 to midnight and things were hopping. Lots of restaurants open from 8 to midnight. And non-restaurants, catering to the crowds: souvenirs, hairdresser, jewelry. Strong signal to change one's eating and sleeping habits.
Both del dia meals have come with a roll of bread but no butter or olive oil. Maybe I have to ask?
First courses have been more interesting than second: salad Nicoisse vs. Meatballs and potatoes, seafood paella vs. Steak and fries. Today's place is cheaper, I get dessert or coffee, and the "plantano" I nodded to is just a banana. In its peel, but with knife and fork. That's €11 vs. €17, I guess.
Also I'm in a smoking restaurant. :( Got offered coffee after dessert, but it cost me another €1.30
I've seen full launches of dry ham in the supermarket. Also a museo del jamon, seems to be a chain restaurant devoted to ham, also with haunches hanging from the ceiling. Wiiiilllllbuuuurrrr!
Last night accidentally found the red light district. Half a dozen streetwalkers a block from a police station. Nad lots of men thrusting strip club flyers at me.
I found an actual laundromat too; nice to know. I'll probably keep shower washing stuff. Unlike in Scotland, wet things here dry quickly! Unfortunately including my nose.
Oh yeah! Faces! Remember when I noted the US had a shortage of French or pure Spanish people? Yeah, one look at the subway passengers and I knew I wasn't in London, Amsterdam, *or* Paris.
Hmm, haven't been up that long, but poor sleep and big meal suggest siesta. Do people prefer rare long posts or more frequent shorter ones? Shall post.
In Spain, a difference in lifestyle is harder to avoid. From what I belatedly read, a Spaniard has a light breakfast, then a huge meal at 1 or 2 pm, followed by siesta nap. Further hunger is abated by tapas snacks, because meal 3 will be a medium dinner after 9 pm, with a nightlife easily going past 2 am.
And I've seen it and been part of it. Places were closed in mid-afternoon. The most economical big meal is what initially scared me, the menu del dia (menu of the day) where you get a first and second course, dessert, and coffee from a changing menu for far less than ordering those items off the regular menu. I haven't been out at 8pm yet, but I did go out from 10 to midnight and things were hopping. Lots of restaurants open from 8 to midnight. And non-restaurants, catering to the crowds: souvenirs, hairdresser, jewelry. Strong signal to change one's eating and sleeping habits.
Both del dia meals have come with a roll of bread but no butter or olive oil. Maybe I have to ask?
First courses have been more interesting than second: salad Nicoisse vs. Meatballs and potatoes, seafood paella vs. Steak and fries. Today's place is cheaper, I get dessert or coffee, and the "plantano" I nodded to is just a banana. In its peel, but with knife and fork. That's €11 vs. €17, I guess.
Also I'm in a smoking restaurant. :( Got offered coffee after dessert, but it cost me another €1.30
I've seen full launches of dry ham in the supermarket. Also a museo del jamon, seems to be a chain restaurant devoted to ham, also with haunches hanging from the ceiling. Wiiiilllllbuuuurrrr!
Last night accidentally found the red light district. Half a dozen streetwalkers a block from a police station. Nad lots of men thrusting strip club flyers at me.
I found an actual laundromat too; nice to know. I'll probably keep shower washing stuff. Unlike in Scotland, wet things here dry quickly! Unfortunately including my nose.
Oh yeah! Faces! Remember when I noted the US had a shortage of French or pure Spanish people? Yeah, one look at the subway passengers and I knew I wasn't in London, Amsterdam, *or* Paris.
Hmm, haven't been up that long, but poor sleep and big meal suggest siesta. Do people prefer rare long posts or more frequent shorter ones? Shall post.