I’ve been in Valencia for 6 weeks and I’ve become so accustomed to living here that sometimes I forget how far from “home” I actually am. That is, until I experience one of the following – instant reminders that I am in fact abroad, and in Spain.
A-Z
Ambulance sirens make a distinctly different sound
Beer, wine, soda and water are equally priced in restaurants, around $2
Coca-Cola is served in a classic glass bottle, accompanied with ice and a lemon slice
Dinner starts at 9pm or later
English is a luxury to speak or study
Fanny packs are hip and seem to have never gone out of fashion
Granola is not popular, nor is it common to buy
House keys look like they could open a treasure chest
Interaction in elevators is expected, it’s polite to say both hello and goodbye
Jamon Iberico, a whole cured ham leg, is found in restaurants, groceries and even homes
Kissing both cheeks is the proper greeting, even when first meeting someone
Lunch isn’t until 2 or 3pm, only “apertivos” are served before then
Military time, or the 24-hour clock, is the standard way to communicate time
Not everyone has met an American before
Ovens work in Celsius
Pinning clean laundry on a clothesline outside is the way to dry them
Quiet time called “siesta” is a country-wide tradition, both for naps and when many stores close
Receiving change from a bus driver is possible
Sundays most everything is closed including groceries and pharmacies
Tipping is unnecessary – the exact price you see on a menu is what you will pay
Unrefrigerated milk and eggs are sold in stores
Very cheap flights to the surrounding area can be found, as low as $20
Weighing and pricing your own produce in the grocery is a must before hitting check-out
Xenophobia is uncommon and in fact people are excited to meet foreigners
Yoga is not yet very popular here, but starting to become a thing
Zara and Mango and other affordable, fast fashion stores are the standard
All of these things have, and still do make me take pause. At the same time, they’ve shaped my expectations. Surely I’ve been conditioned by these to now expect them in the next place I go, especially siestas!
What do you notice that is characteristic of your surroundings, wherever you are?
Great post, I’m living in Valencia too. It’s such a great city. I have been here for 3 months and enjoying every moment of it. So many great things to do and see here.
Hi Chris! Thanks for your response. I miss Valencia. Hope you’re still there and enjoying it. Please have some paella and an Agua de Valencia for me. 🙂