Jesus and Cultures

So apparently politics is a hot button for the anonymous readers of “travelblog.org.” This being the case, I am obliged to avoid this sensitive subject for this week’s rendition of Megan’s life in Spain. I will bring you however, an exclusive look into some curiosities of Spanish culture.
1) Most of the Spanish population is well dressed. The older women are draped with long fur coats, almost all the women wear high heels of some sort, an all of the clothes are extremely well-made and expensive looking. One of the explanations for this particular measure of formality is that during the time of Franco’s regime, well-dressed citizens were only those of status. The lower class did not have the ability or opportunity to dress well; consequently, the elegant garb of today is expression of freedom.
2) As I may have mentioned previously, ham is ubiquitous. This phenomenon began during the inquisition when Jews would by ham to disguise their identities. Since Jews are forbidden to eat ham or pork, buying this meat would conceal the fact they had not converted to Christianity.
3) Children live with their parents way into their 20s. While in American that is affectionately dubbed “Failure to Launch,” in Spain, moving out at young age is seen as irresponsible
4) Some delicious things to buy for 1∈ in Spain:
Café con leche
Una bola de Helado
Una Tostada
All of the pastries at Pan y Chocolate
An entire pack of Maria cookies
Unfortunate things in the culture here:
1) I have made NO Spanish girlfriends and have submitted to the fact that it is extremely improbable that I will make a truly good girl friend here who is not an American.
2) This point is a toss-up. Every time I go to a disco or a bar I make a new intercambio (exchange partner). So, on the flip side it is really easy to make new “friends” and practice Spanish, but on the other hand, most of the characters you meet are considerably sketchy….although it IS possible to meet the occasional gem ☺
Aside from the differences, I have been learning a lot about Jesus. One of the biggest lessons I have learned, is that when you pray to become more like Him, and really mean it, its going to be painful. I have never fully understood the meaning of endurance or perseverance or why Paul speaks of these decencies as particularly necessary for living the Christian life. Now I understand. Its not that my entire time here is painful, its that I constantly fighting against the darkness. Its not a kinda, maybe, sometimes, I fight, its always. Admittedly, sometimes fighting is enormously fun and exceptionally rewarding. Just last week, I had the pleasure of beginning a little “bible study” basically a time for the Christians here to encourage one another and for others who are curious about faith, to see what we believe. So far, it has been awesome, my God is surely working in my life as well as in the lives of those around me. Psalms 31 has been a great encouragement to me lately. Of late my days are an amalgamation of school, Spanish, people, planning trips, and learning about faith. At times, the sheer magnitude of variety that confronts me on a day-to-day basis is overwhelming, and sometimes it is incredibly exciting. Thank goodness HE is always working to make me humble and make me beautiful. May I become “the most public amateur” of faith so that others may see my weaknesses and turn to him as we endure in darkness.

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