Advertisement
Published: July 17th 2009
Edit Blog Post
Tapas
Patatas y salmon Cultural Tidbits
I am learning a few things about the culture here that are must knows.
*First of all, a siesta is an absolute must. I am finally getting used to the time frame they have here. I am taking a siesta almost every day, because the only time you really want to go out is the afternoon/evening. It is quite typical to meet up with a few of the other students around 8 and stay out until 1 or 2. In fact, you don´t really even know that you are out that late beacause EVERYONE is out that late, including young children. It is just the culture here. Part of it is because it is cool in the morning and the evening, and in the middle of the day it is incredibly hot. After staying out that late, you still wake up to be at work/school at 8am. The thing is you only really work until 2, take your siesta, and then around 5 go back to work for a bit -- but not me, I have nothing in the afternoon but sleeping.
*
Tapear -- the neat custom of going from tapas to tapas bar. I have
Tapas
Pollo frito con patatas fritas to say it is one of my favorite culture tidbits. What you do is go to a tapas bar and order a drink (beer, wine, tinto verano, sangria, even water if you are with a group that is ordering) for under 2€, and for every drink you get a tapas on the house! A tapas is a small dish, imagine an appetizer -- it is sort of the same idea. You can either stay at the one tapas place, and get tapas 1, 2, and 3, or you go to check out another tapas place. You do not tip the bartenders, you just pay as you go. I have had some tapas that are cheese and olives, bocadillos (sandwiches), chicken, salmon -- all on the house. After 2 or 3 places, I am full. In a way it is smart because it reminds people to not drink so much without having something in their stomach. If you are in a group, you pay together and they bring enough tapas for everyone (this is the way to go if you do not like alcohol, just be in a group and they will give you enough food -- so neat!). As far
Hotel
the only muslim museum. There are flamenco shows here for the next two weeks for 15⬠as I know Granada is one of the few cities that is keeping this custom alive. It is worth it. There are so many neat places in Granada, I have only explored half of it, and we are heading to the other half tonight I believe.
*Not so fun tidbit: if you buy something, make SURE you want it, because they will not let you return things. I found that out the hard way and just exchanged the object for a few things i did NOT want. Erg, but it is my own fault. I should have thought it out first. Oh well.
*Flamenco - it is awesome. I had the chance to go to a flamenco show offered by the school and in a Tapas. I preferred the one of the schools, but it is AWESOME. It is incredible the control the dancers have. There are so many opportunities to see flamenco. I have happened upon a few just by walking around, and also there are a few that you see signs for all over the place. If you are able to do it, do it! There are some shows you can see at the Alhambra. I am going
to one next Wednesday. It is a flamenco show, but it is based off the poem Jondo by García Lorca. I am SO very excited.
Tomorrow I am off to swim in the Mediterranean. (Almuñécar). I will let you know about it tomorrow. I am sure I will have PLENTY of pics.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.084s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 11; qc: 30; dbt: 0.0338s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Jessica
non-member comment
It is beautiful! I am so glad you are having such a great time! Don't "accidentally" miss your plane or anything just because you are having such an awesome time in Spain! We want you back home in August missy!