History Lesson by Pepe

So....Pepe is my host father here in Spain. His real name is Jose Ignacio but the nickname for that is Pepe. So that's who he is! I just have to talk about him because he is so great to me and my roommate! He loves asking us questions about America and the English language since he knows a few words. Tonight at dinner he asked us the meaning of Ketchup or if the name had any significance to what was inside the bottle. Funny to think of Ketchup as such an American condiment but it really is. They only had it in the refrigerator for the enjoyment of the Americans living there.

He always explains things very slowly and clearly for us so we can understand and is always laughing about it. Tonight he talked to us about what it was like during and after the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s.

HISTORY LESSON: When Franco wanted to be the government of Spain, there were people who supported him, and people who didn't; therefore a civil war that lasted 4 years. Franco-side won and since he was German, he allowed Spain to trade with only Germany and no other countries. So for the next 30-40 years, until the 60s, life was very difficult. Pepe was born the year after the war ended in Valencia and grew up not being able to eat many things that are available now. The people were allowed very little food and since there was no trade, they only had potatoes, vinagre, oil, oranges, and rice (among a few other things). There were food stamps to get your portion of food and no/very little meat or fish to eat. Marilo was from Sevilla and since her father worked in the transportation area of the city, he had access to the ships that came to port on the Rio Guadalquivir that runs right through the city. So her family had it a little better than most, even though it was illegal for her family to have that food. There were no jobs available, no food, all the clothes were the same because it had to be made here. Women didn't have any rights until the dictatorship ended in 1975 when Franco died and Spain was made into a democratic monarchy (more or less) since there is a King still. Not quite sure the correct term since the U.S. isn't quite a true democracy either. Bottom line: Spain went through a

Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed that, though it may be a bit dry! I thought it was super interesting that there was so much hardship for so many years. I would probably compare it to our Great Depression but lasting twice as long with a dictator in charge of it all. Pretty rough! And to think that women here didn't have any rights to get jobs without their husbands approval until 1975! It is amazing to think how different life is over here. Not just the culture, but the development of the people in general. To think that this country is so much older than the U.S. with such a deeper history involving a Roman reign, the Spanish Inquisition, and such a depth in art with Picasso, Dali, and Velasquez. It is so interesting to think that there were some things that just didn't get a chance to advance like everything else, like women's rights, until only 40 years ago. Well, just needed to reflect about that story and make sure I remember it for later. Hope you enjoyed that extra bit of information as much as I did!

Something a little off topic, but yesterday my program took a quick trip to an area in Sevilla called Italica for a tour. It is the site of Roman ruins from when Spain was ruled by the Roman Empire. There were buildings built in the 3rd century with remains of the houses of very important people. I will put pictures up from it very soon. It was quite interesting and exciting to see something so old still standing and imagine the kind of gladiator-type fights that occurred in the ampitheater. I guess that's my cue to head to Italy next....hmm. Maybe another year!

Tomorrow I head to Jerez and Arcos! Jerez is the region known to make the best wine in the country so we are going to a bodega (winery) for a wine tasting...can't wait! Also in Jerez we will see the horses that are bred very specifically here Pura Raza Espanola (Pure Spanish Breed). I'll be thinking of you Mom! Then we head to Arcos for a view of a typical pueblo blanco (white village) which is very well known for this region of Spain.

I will let you all know how it goes and post pictures on Facebook. :)

Saludos,
Betsy