Okay probably not only in Spain, but by that I mean…not in the US…
1) se permite fumar aqui
smoking is permitted here. and by here, they mean everywhere. i was studying with some friends in Dunkin Coffee today and had to get up and leave because the place was worse than a bar at home. so imagine what the bars are like…but my prof said that that will come to an end in october or november when the will prohibit smoking inside public places. i cant wait.

2) the manly man with a sweater
it is seen as very masculine for a man to wear his sweater or scarf around your neck. very european, i don’t think that’s seen too much in the US, and if it is, the man isn’t seen as manly.

3) let’s meet at the corner at 2
2am that is, to begin the night. i’ve said this plenty, and will probably continue, people here don’t start their nights til 2, and that’s actually seen as early here. from what i’ve heard the discotecas don’t get busy until 3. it’s normal to stay out until the cafes open to eat churros y chocolate around 8.

4) maddy’s thriving business
you may or may not know that after i left, maddy started walking dogs for dimes. well here, she could easily make a living. there are men walking dogs, women walking dogs, children walking dogs, dogs walking dogs…good thing i love puppiesss

5) bad smelling good luck
i was told today that if you step in dog poop, it’s considered good luck. well as we all know…there are lots of dogs here, which also means there are lots of lucky people here. fortunately…or unfortunately? i’m not considered lucky yet.

6) permanently dirty feet
okay, my feet have not been clean since i got here. i swear the dirt is in my skin and won’t come out. but, if my feet are this dirty, can you imagine my shoes? and yet we are not allowed to take our shoes off in the house. they see it as dirty to wear socks or bare feet. why do they want me trudging around in my shoes that probably have dog poop, bird poop, and plenty of dirt and mud on them?

7) gripe A
They are freaking out about gripe A (aka swine flu) and yet there is never toilet paper or soap in any public restrooms. We go through a lot of tissue and hand sanitizer. Thank you grandma for the purell!!

milk that lasts for 6 months
the milk and eggs here are not refridgerated. some of the people in my program have commented on how they found a stash of milk in the cupboard. funny, it lasts forever too…que extrano

9) no pasa nada
no pasa nada…it doesn’t matter..they say this for about everything. gracias..no pasa nada…but the funniest thing i’ve seen so far that they use it for is while parking cars..parallel parking here must be so much easier than it is at home. all you have to do is go til you hit the car in front of you, reverse til you hit the giant trash bins behind you…no pasa nada

only in spain…

everyone should keep maddy lou in your thoughts and prayers these next few weeks…
Maddy Loop- I love you so much and I know you are so strong! you are the bravest person I know!! good luck sweetie, i hope you are super comfy in your new pajamas and i hope all the doctors and nurses love your brett favre jersy!! i miss you so much! much love and many hugs and kisses. xoxo