Culture Shock

Buenos tardes,
I am just about to lie down for my afternoon siesta but I thought I would write quickly about how the whole culture shock aspect has been going. The first week or so was definitely honeymoonish. Everything was new, exciting, and different. I was eager to try so many new foods, try the wine, explore the city, and speak Spanish as much as possible. However, now that I have been here for two weeks (as of today) my point of view has shifted a little bit. "Stage 2" of culture shock is classified as when you start getting upset at the cultural differences, wish you were in your home culture, and become irritable with the people. I have stepped into this culture only a little but and have noticed the change already.

I have begun to be eager to speak English to my roommate since I get so tired from speaking and listening to Spanish and frustrated when I cannot understand everything.

I have started to get annoyed at Spanish people for doing things that are inherently a part of the culture (things I awed at when I arrived) such as the after-siesta stroll through the streets. People link arms, dress in nice clothes (many older men and women where their very best such as long fur coats with collars and men in suits) and stroll, chatting, and stopping to look at things. It is merely a time to, in a way, be social with the rest of the city, make an appearance, say hi to people, share some tapas or a cafe. I still love the concept of simply taking time to visit and relax, but recently I miss the hustle and bustle of the U.S. and people moving at a faster pace.

For those of you who know my eating habits, I have never craved a burger more but I refuse to go to any Burger King or McDonalds whatsoever. For the lack of a cultural experience and also just because I rarely eat there when I'm in the U.S. anyways. And days like today, when you don't have much sleep and you have to go to class early, the appeal of throwing on some sweatpants and a sweatshirt is almost too much to bare. However the thought of standing out as an American even more than I already do, makes me actually have to try a little harder to come up with a coordinated outfit (everyone dresses up, wearing heels, skirts, hair done, everything).

These things aren't hardly enough to knock me off my feet and love for Spain, however, I have noticed other people in the program really sinking lower into this stage. Comments referencing the food as "bad," the music not being as fun, and preferring to pay to see a flamenco show at a touristy hotel when you can go to a traditional flamenco bar for free on an unmarked street.

I know I will get more accustomed to the culture and the differences the longer I am here but it is interesting to see such differences between cultures that I have never experienced before. I will write more about the cultural differences later. However, I am late for my siesta this afternoon and have to prepare to watch the Spain vs. England soccer game tonight. (My friends and I tried to buy tickets only to find they were sold out...however scalpers tried to take full advantage of us unknowing American girls, they did not win! :)

hasta luego,
saludos,

betsy