miércoles, 14 de diciembre de 2016
Will I ever get used to the restaurants here? by Xochiquetzali Aguirre
Are children disrespectful to their elders?, By Xochiquetzali Aguirre
I am of
Mexican decent but I am American. Since I am of Mexican decent I was raised
with the idea that one cannot be disrespectful to their elders. I say this
because since I live with a host mom (an elderly one) her grandchildren come to
visit quiet often, she has nine grandchildren and five are sure to come every
week to spend all day with her. and although I find that amazing and truly
beautiful, the one thing that I don’t is the way they sometimes speak to her,
coming from a Mexican American family I was taught that I must speak to my
elders with all the respect in the world, but here I hear the children talk to
their grandmas and I’m not sure if its normal or if these children are plain disrespectful.
Something I have noticed is that in
general the Spaniards are more upfront with how they think, in America we would
say that people have no filter, but I was raised to have a filter with the
elders, these children don’t. For example the grandchildren and my host mom
where playing a board game and a child called my host mom dumb. I was appalled,
but my host mom didn’t care, I was in shock, How could they just bluntly say
“Grandma you are dumb” I would never say that to anyone older than me. Later in
the day my host mom accused one of them for making a mess and the grandchild
responded with “you are crazy “in English it doesn’t sound so bad but in
Spanish, I was like oh lord… is that acceptable here? I’ve also heard many
children say things like this to their parents and grandparents in the metro.
So it got me thinking is this acceptable here to say exactly what you want to
any age range? Because in every situation I’ve never heard someone scold them
for doing that. I was really appalled
when one of them told their grandma to shut up, because she was giving the
youngest one clues on how to win, so they said “Grandma, shut up” Once again if
I were to ever do that in America I would be scolded and personally it doesn’t
feel right to say it. So I’m still wondering are these children disrespectful
or is it okay to say things like that to your elders
The check
Today, for about what feels like the one-hundredth time, I accidently walked out of a cafe yet again without paying. I had just gotten out the door and started walking toward the metro stop when I realized. I let out a gasp that was followed by me frantically turning around and running back into the café. A worker who did not even seem to notice greeted me, and I then paid for my coffee, and returned to the metro stop. This is a situation that has happened to me more times than I would like to admit and, although I always realize and return to the café/restaurant to pay for what I consumed very shortly after I walk out, it brings a cultural difference between the United States and Spain to the surface. That cultural difference is the service. In the United States, the waiters in café’s, restaurants, etc. greet you and seat you right when you walk in, they usually bring you water right away and ask if you would like anything else to drink, and then when they bring you those drinks, they take your order, and then bring you your food as soon as they can. In addition to this, as you are eating your food, they check in with you usually 1 to 3 times asking how you are doing and if you need/would like anything else. They then bring you your check when you appear to be finished eating. In Spain, the service is very different. Usually I have to approach a waiter in the restaurants and ask them where I should sit, and usually it takes them a long time to come up to me and ask me what I would like to drink/eat. They then do not bring the check to you automatically, but instead, they wait until you ask them for it. This difference has taken a lot of getting used to, and at first it was frustrating to just want to order my food, or to just want to order the check, and have to wait until I can get someone’s attention. Apparently, I am still not used to it completely after all this time, because I still leave café’s without paying by accident because nobody bothers me for the check! I believe that this ties back into the food culture in Spain and the pace of life of Spain. In Spain, people, in general, are not in as much of a rush as people in America, and they take their time to complete most of their tasks, including eating. They also place a lot of importance on food, and they consider meals more than just times to eat, but instead times to socialize with other people and enjoy the company of others.
martes, 13 de diciembre de 2016
The final blog post
Well, I figured to day is as good a day as any to
write my final blog post, being that I have not felt so American in the 9 weeks
that I have been here as I do today. And that is truly saying something
considering people still stare and catcall at us as we walk down the streets. I
have had so many people tell me I look Irish it's not even fun anymore to tell
them I'm American. I am currently sitting at the Puerta de Jerez metro station
with a venti pumpkin spice latte on ice in yoga pants and a tank top sweating
bullets because even though it is October 28th it's still hot as all get out
here. Needless to say I still don't feel entirely comfortable here. I have
gotten used to life and the day to day way that this city and its people
function. It has brought me some fun memories, like my friends and I having
drinks and gummy candy at the Festival de Las Naciones, and some hard memories
that I will never forget, like the crushing homesickness of knowing that I
won't hug my family for close to four months or a man not taking I'm not
interested for an answer. I know that my time here has changed me, even only
halfway through, and I know it's not done with me yet. As I sit here in the
shade and reflect I know that I am improving in my Spanish, if only marginally,
and am satisfied with how my grant is progressing even if no one is emailing me
back. These were my major contract goals going into this experience. But they
are one single drop in the entire darn bucket of this experience. I have made
more progress learning about myself here in 2 months than in 20 years in the
states. The stares of others don't phase me as they did, I don't care if that
man walking next to me thinks I am being too loud or that others on the metro
laugh at my laugh. I will tell off that creep that catcalls me, or worse, makes
my friends feel uncomfortable walking in their own neighborhood.
And to that guy who openly stared at me as I was
writing this yes I know I don't look like your friends, your family, your
teachers, bosses, etc. I know my hair is strange and no one wears these pants.
Thank you for staring and have a great day.
Ariel in the Breeze
Coming
here in September I already knew that clothes dryers were not very common in
Seville, because of the weather and the cost of electricity. I had no problem with the idea; my family
uses a clothesline for our clothing as well.
I knew it was a good thing because my jeans and yoga pants wouldn’t
shrink and my clothes wouldn’t get stretched out. But I didn’t know that I would experience a
feeling like shock the first time I saw my clothing on that line out in our
apartment’s courtyard.
I was
sitting and doing homework or reading and went to open my window on a very hot
day, only to see outside my room, a very full clothesline. On this clothes line were at least three
pairs of my underwear and my Little Mermaid nightshirt. Fantastic.
I could not believe that now all of our neighbors knew what I wear when
I am sleeping and what kind of underwear I prefer. I could not figure out why this was so
shocking. I had been putting my clothing
on a line for years and never felt this before.
I think
maybe I felt this way because at home it’s no one’s business what I wear when I
want to be comfortable, or what my panties look like, because they are the most
personal items of clothing that a person owns.
At home my clothes are on a private clothesline that is shared by my
family. Here, in our apartment complex,
each floor has a separate clothesline hanging in a shared courtyard, where
everyone including me, hangs our clothing.
Now everyone knows that a twenty year old woman, who wears mostly black,
has bright purple underwear and an Ariel and Flounder nightshirt. There is no true idea of private here, and
not necessarily in a bad way. Windows to
kitchens bathrooms and bedrooms all open up into one acoustically appealing
space for everyone to hear, whether that is an intense phone conversation or a
concert in the shower happening two stories up.
I think
this is a good way to open up our, or at least my, comfort zone. I am not one to share feelings, thoughts, or
much of anything else. This is a way
that I feel I have opened up to my neighbors, and they to me, in a way that is
kind of intimate, but also very innocent.
At the very least it was an eye-opener and a very funny story back home!
Cursing
In my three-months living in Sevilla, Spain I have noticed that many Spaniards have a very colorful vocabulary. Upon my arrival I quickly learned that the word “joder” can be heard in conversation almost as often as the word “vale.” Not only will you hear adults using curse words, but you can often hear them come out of the mouths of children and professors in the classroom! Many Spaniards seem to lack a filter when it comes to using curse words in formal, professional or everyday contexts.
The use of curse words is much more of a taboo in the United States. If an individual were to use a curse word as frequently as Spaniards do, that person would be seen as uneducated or vulgar because they cannot seem to find a better word to use. Moreover, if a person were to swear in a professional or formal setting they would receive an adverse reaction from others. Although not all Americans would agree that swearing is so taboo, there is often an innate desire for curse words to be censored and avoided in certain contexts.
Although many American students are taken aback by the colorful language of the Spaniards, it is admirable that they have the freedom to say whatever they want when they want to.
Spanish Youth vs. American Youth
In my three-month home stay in Seville, I have observed many interesting things about family dynamics and social norms. During my semester here, I have been living with a middle-age couple and their nineteen year-old daughter. In the household, the mother and father fully support the daughter financially, don’t require her to do household chores and allow her to do whatever she pleases. Over time, I learned that all of my friends staying with host families had similar experiences and it is common for young people to continue these practices until they get married or move-out of their parents’ house when they are in their mid to late twenties.
Conversely, in America there is a pressure for young people to get a part-time job, help pay for college, and often support themselves from the age of eighteen, sometimes even younger. Many American parents have the expectation that their child will move out of the house once they attend or graduate from college.
Initially, I was very jealous of Spanish youth because it seemed as though they did not have to worry about any financial responsibilities or household duties. After discussing the cultural differences between American and Spanish family dynamics with my host father, I learned that although Spanish youth may seem spoiled or malcriado is because social and economic circumstances often prevent them from branching out. The poor economy, lack of job opportunities and strong familial ties all contribute to Spanish youth living at home much later than youth of other cultures.
Although there are many differences in family dynamics between Spanish and American cultures, it is simply not possible to compare the two societies. The differences in upbringings create individuals with distinct experiences, values and beliefs which ultimately make each culture unique.
Gun control, by Danielle Curry
The topic of gun control is one of the more meaningful differences
between Spain and the US. We know guns are legal, and often easily accessible,
in the US while gun ownership in Spain is restrictive and not a right.[1]
However, we may not know just how prevalent gun violence is in the US compared
to other “rich western countries,” as visualized in the graph below.[2]
Having been asked to comment on this topic, I didn’t know
where to start. Gun control can be a heated one, especially in conservative
hometowns like mine, so I’ve really avoided it all together. In my research, I
found visualizations like the one above, showing us just how far away the US is
in gun violence from our peers. It’s seems like a joke. I then think of the
mass shootings we hear about over the years, carried out even by high school
students. Many factors go into these shootings, but often it seems the mere
availability of guns to the shooters is what facilitates and enables their
actions.
If guns are so dangerous to have around the house[3],
why do so many Americans cling to them? I wanted to understand what it’s like
to be a steadfast defender of the 2nd Amendment. Looking into the
average gun defender’s mind, I see that protection, recreation, and social-cultural
pressures are their strongest motives, conscious of it or not.[4]
For those who want easy gun access, shooting is simply fun. In addition, it
allows the user to feel strong, and masculine, and integrated in their local or
regional culture. I believe both of these reasons are completely unacceptable
for use in the gun control debate, when we keep in mind the accidental and
intentional harm currently resulting from guns. Reading about these reminds me
of my own friends from home who have mentioned their gun control views, which I
didn’t consider before.
Instead, I am concerned with the gun advocate’s perception
of safety. It’s ironic how here I argue
that gun restriction will make us safer, and gun advocates firmly believe the
exact opposite. They seem to perceive a world in which the only person who can
surely protect you and your family is yourself, not any government or police. Either way, we are not safe, but what we can
do to make both sides see the same picture of a safe country, state, town?
I’ve heard dads of friends talking about their guns in the
garage much like their car or boat – a shiny toy to be proud of. I’ve also
watched a male family member, who was intentionally shot, in turn purchase his
own gun for future protection. Maybe if the unstable person who shot him hadn’t
had a gun around in the first place, it would have never happened. Maybe it
wouldn’t have advanced the cycle of perceived need for gun ownership.
[1] https://www.loc.gov/law/help/firearms-control/spain.php
[2] http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/14/upshot/compare-these-gun-death-rates-the-us-is-in-a-different-world.html?_r=0
[3] https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/psych-unseen/201510/the-psychology-guns
[4] https://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2015/oct/07/gun-demanding-control-firearms-psychology
lunes, 12 de diciembre de 2016
Homeless in Sevilla
I grew up in Los Angeles, where there is a large population of homeless, but also a growing amount of resources for this group. I have had a lot of experience interacting with homeless in the States as my family and I annually participate in an organization which packs duffle bags of survival goods and hand-delivers them to the homeless. In addition, experience is inevitable because the homeless, especially in Santa Monica, are very interactive, many with mental illnesses and have no fear screaming at you, getting in your face, even touching you. Only a few months ago, a homeless man fatally stabbed a woman outside a Starbucks a few blocks from my home. I found that the homeless in Seville are also interactive but they are not as physically and verbally aggressive, and their begging-tactics differ. Many try to sell small items such as tissues or rosemary/herbs. I have also seen that there are less incidences of substance abuse with the homeless in Sevilla than in the States- I distinctly recall one instance in LA when a homeless person knocked on my door, begging, and my mom made him an elaborate lunch whilst he waited outside. Upon receiving it, he said “actually, I really just want a beer.” I feel this would not have been a reaction among the Sevillan homeless. One striking difference between the homeless here and in the US is their presence in restaurants and other establishments. In the states, homeless rarely enter restaurants and cafés to beg, and are immediately kicked out upon doing so. In Sevilla, I have found that the homeless enter and beg in hotels, restaurants, and cafes often without being kicked out. Just yesterday, I had an interesting experience in a nice coffee shop right by Puerta de Herez. I had a small glass pitcher of coffee with cup, and a homeless man went up to me with a plastic cup asking for some of my coffee. I said no, sorry, and went back to studying, but he stayed and proceeded to take my pitcher and pour my coffee in his cup. The entire cafe stared in shock as the owner yelled at him whilst he was in the act, with him protesting “why not? it’s not a big deal!” (in Spanish), and only leaving when the owner, who was female, began physically pushing him out of the cafe. This interaction really got me thinking about homeless here and how rates differ from the US and how their resources may differ.
My time here in Spain is almost over
I honestly cannot believe that my time here in Spain is almost over. Yes, I am so excited to go back home to see my family and celebrate the holidays with them. But I am also sad to leave this place that I made my home for a short four months. Abroad was an experience for me that was once of a lifetime. My goal for abroad was to see as much as possible, and I really believe I met that goal. In these months I traveled to almost ten different countries while seeing different parts of Spain. School was something that I did not focus as much on. I know I was “studying” abroad but I felt that I could learn more with the more I experienced. I loved every experience that I encountered and I want to thank all my family, my friends in Seville, my host family and Europe for making all of this possible.
As sad as it is to leave, I am so excited to go back to the United States. I am excited to know the language, because I am so bad at Spanish. I am excited to see my family and celebrate the holidays and tell them about my experience. I am excited to eat my mom’s home cooked meals and have more vegetables and fruits. I’m just really excited to get back to my normal life because my time here abroad, has really been a dream.
miércoles, 7 de diciembre de 2016
Spanish and American eating customs
In American culture breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day, but in Spain, breakfast is the least important. Many Spaniards skip breakfast, but if they do have breakfast it will be something small. It usually consists of a tostada and a cup of coffee or freshly squeezed zumo. In American, our breakfast portions are a lot bigger. There are restaurants that are known for their “traditional” American breakfasts, which include lots of eggs, a side of more protein (bacon, sausage, ham), hash browns, cheese and a stack of pancakes or french toast. In Spain lunch is the most important meal of the day. It consists of several courses starting with soup, followed by something heavier like paella or meat, then desert and bread is always on the table. Lunch is a social event that takes up a lot of time and may be followed by a siesta. In America, lunch is usually on the go. We have fast food and drive-thru’s even in coffee shops that cater to our faster paced lifestyles. Spaniards also have dinner a lot later than Americans do. This could be because Spain is a collectivistic culture, and a later dinner could be so that all the family members are home to eat together. Based on my experiences, a lot of American families don't have a set dinner time or even sit down for dinner together.
Drinking in Sevilla
I’ve noticed that in Spain drinking is a social thing. It seems that Spanish people are always drinking, but drinking in Spain is to socialize, not to get drunk. Spaniards often meet at bars to talk with friends and family and drink less over a longer period of time. They get "happier", feel more relaxed, and may get tipsy if they take it too far. They try to avoid getting drunk, since it is looked frowned on in the culture. In America, the goal is to get drunk fast. It usually starts with “pregaming” with your friends at home before moving to bar or club where you’ll continue to drink. Americans encourage each other to drink more and more until they blackout and wake up the next day without any memory of how they ended up back home. You don't have to drink like its a competition to have fun. Spaniards do enjoy going out and having a drink, but during my whole time in Sevilla I can’t remember a single time I saw a Spaniard stumbling around drunk and making a scene on the street. As for Americans, there are countless times
The Pace of Life in Sevilla, by Maxine Sachar
One thing that I have really come to appreciate about Sevilla throughout my time here is the slowed down pace of life. I, personally, feel that, in America, life is “go go go” all the time. One example is that, in America, it is expected that the majority of people will go to school until they are eighteen, and then right after school they will move out of their house and go to college, and then right after college they will either go to grad school or get a job. This is the lifestyle I was brought into, and I have never second-guessed it. I have just assumed that that is how my life will play out because that is how it has for nearly everyone I grew up with. I have noticed that here in Spain it is different. In my homestay, my host parents have two sons, both my age, both in college, who still live at home. I have heard the same from the majority of other people who also live in homestays. From what I have gathered, it is much more common here in Spain for people my age to live at home while in college that in the United States. This is a big difference that I have noticed, and it ties into the pace of life here, because there are not in nearly as much of a rush to move out their houses than people are in the United States. I have also noticed the slower pace of life here in less significant observations. When I go out to eat at a restaurant with my host mom, we always stay there for at least two hours, continuing to talk while ordering more tapas and more drinks. When I am walking down the street, I very rarely see people carrying coffee or to-go cups with drinks in them. These things I have noticed are very different from the United States, where almost everybody takes their coffee to go, and usually when I eat at a restaurant with family and friends, we spend no more than an hour there. In general, I have noticed that, here in Spain, people take their time and they are not in such a rush when it comes to the smaller things such as eating and drinking coffee, and the more significant things such as moving out their houses to start their lives.
lunes, 5 de diciembre de 2016
Smiling at strangers, by Shea Geary
As I entered Seville in early September with a bus full of American students our program director spoke with us about some cultural norms we may very soon become aware of. These norms included things such as eating times and wearing shoes in our homestay when were are not in our rooms which are two that seemed easy enough to adjust to, but then she began talking about some of the norms of body language we may face, especially in social settings such as at restaurants/bars. The director said that something she loves about our American culture is how much we smile, on the streets, at strangers, in our daily life overall, but she said we needed to be aware of how smiling can be interpreted differently in Spain because it is less common to smile at a stranger and we had to be careful to not give someone “the wrong idea.” This came as a huge surprise to me especially because I already knew Spanish culture was overall much more affectionate than American culture, I assumed smiling fell into that same category. As I walked around Seville during my first weeks abroad I noticed a huge lack of people smiling at strangers. I may be an especially friendly person in that I will often smile at someone on the street even when I don't know them. Of course there is no right and wrong way to act around strangers, I simply have found that in Seville it is different, people are more likely to hug or kiss when they greet each rather than smile. This is a piece of culture they may be affecting me because it is clear that I am not Spanish, resulting in people being less friendly. This is an observation that myself and many of my peers have made and find to be a big difference from what we are used to experiencing at home. I also have noticed that not smiling doesn't mean someone feels negatively towards you, it just means they don’t feel strongly enough to smile.
jueves, 1 de diciembre de 2016
Hand-sanitizer
So I realized that people here are not as concerned with the daily germs we face through out the day as people are back in the United States. A good example I have is that I do not see a single person with the mini hand-sanitizers on their purses or book bags. That is something that is so common to see when you are out and about in the city, at least in my city of Boston. I was sitting at a bar with my sister and I had my hand-sanitizer hanging from my book bag. I went to use the bathroom and there was no soap for me to wash my hands so I went to my seat and used it right away. And to my surprise the man sitting next to me actually asked me what it was. He was very surprised when I told him what it was and he thought I had a phobia of germs because I carried it with me. But in reality I do not carry it because I have a phobia but because it is just common to have one back home. That little encounter made me think twice about owning it afterwards to be honest. If a whole other group of people can live with out it then I should be able to too I guess.
martes, 29 de noviembre de 2016
Tap Water please
Water is a resource that people need to live, right? So why when we live in a country that has tap water that is drinkable do we not get free water at restaurants? This is something that has really surprised me and sort of angered me. When I try to ask for “agua del grifo” to a waiter or waitress, they say that they do not have it. It just constantly surprises me because in the United States it is a right not a privilege to receive water at a restaurant and it comes right away when we first sit down. I wonder if it is just a Spanish thing because when traveling to Barcelona, Madrid, Toledo and other places I have received bottled water when ordering water; but in Sweden I received free tap water. I understand that giving an actually bottle of water seems more “high class” or “fancy” which going out to a dinner can be considered, but I think if one asks specifically for a tap water they should receive it.
I do not want to be the environmentalist here as well, but the extra use of plastic bottles due to this issue is also harming our environment. This is something that I have become more aware of because of global warming and I want save our earth. So this is something that bothers because of the amount of plastic that gets into the oceans or is not thrown away properly. Therefore, I think this issue of not getting tap water at meals is an annoying issue that is present here in Spain.
The tall red tower by Danielle Curry
During my time in Sevilla, it’s been difficult not to notice the city’s tallest building, Cajasol Tower. I remember seeing it for the first time. At midday, the colored frame appeared to be terracotta with teal blue windows, perfect color wheel opposites . It has a circular base and seemed like a modern reference to the Tower of Pisa. I remember being blown away. I found this building so intentional and stunningly beautiful, I couldn’t stop looking at it.
Loving the building as much as I do, imagine my surprise to hear my host mom say she absolutely hates it. But WHY? How could you hate a building, especially one that’s so cool and makes your city look great? I asked a Spanish friend the next week. Same thing. Complete hatred. Gut reactions brought me to question: do Sevillanos have an aversion to modernity or progress? I figured maybe they are obsessed with their past and uninterested in their future.
I started asking everyone. Up to this point in my semester, I haven't found one Sevillano who enjoys the tower. What I have found is that Sevillanos identify strongly with the cathedral. When they look at a painting or a movie, or as they drive into Sevilla, they see their home city upon view of the Giralda. To them, a modern glass and iron building doubling the Giralda’s size reshapes their city, possibly leading a future of buildings that hide the Giralda, or the true Sevilla.
martes, 22 de noviembre de 2016
Speaking the Language, by Sarah Newhall
Upon coming to Spain, I was very excited to develop my Spanish speaking skills by talking to the locals but it didn’t go quite as planned. More times than I can count, I have made an effort to speak in Spanish to the locals and they don’t understand me no matter how hard I try so I resort to speaking English which they end up understanding more than they did my Spanish. In a way, this has turned into learned helplessness and taught me that sometimes, it’s better to just speak in English instead of making the effort. Initially, I thought this was because I was saying the wrong words or pronouncing them in a strange way but when I would go home and look it up, everything I said was right. Something else that happens a lot is when I speak Spanish to people, they understand me but respond in English. When this happens, we both end up talking in our nonnative languages and the conversations stay more surface level. I’m assuming that people’s responses to my Spanish speaking are an attempt to help me or make it easier but because of it, I worry that I am not learning as much. Despite this, I have still been trying to learn a lot and have had many successful conversations with Spanish speaking people and I hope to continue to learn more Spanish.
“the regular”, by Sarah Newhall
Building off the person who talked about “the regular” in restaurant settings here, I have another observation about dining out that I have noticed while being abroad. Although I have noticed this more in Sevilla and in other places in Spain than in other places around Europe, I don’t know if this is a coincidence or if it is actually culturally specific to life in Spain. When I go out to eat, it seems as if many of the waiters and waitresses have a general disinterest in whether or not you are happy with the service or the food. It is often difficult to even get their attention when you want to order, need the check, or want another drink because they aren’t looking around the room to see if anyone needs anything. Once I manage to get their attention to ask a question, often times, the servers generally seem very bothered and put out to take the time to talk to me. This more often than not, results in them walking away from me mid-answer so that if I ever did have a follow up question or even wanted to say thank you, that wouldn’t be an option. At least twice when I have inquired about how big a portion was or what the dish came with, the server answered in such a rude way that it discouraged me from asking them anything again. Often, even when I have to ask for silverware or a napkin, I feel like I am putting them out and they are annoyed. Normally, I would feel that because I am making a purchase, paying for the food and service, then I should be able to ask for what I need but since being in Spain, I have become much more timid whenever I am in a dining situation due to the attitudes of the servers. This is not to say that I haven’t had great experiences eating out and that I haven’t had servers who were very attentive and interested in making sure I was happy. The negative experiences here just seem to be building up more here than they do in the United States. I would be interested in whether this is a cultural thing, a reaction to something I am doing, or just a series of unlucky encounters.
lunes, 21 de noviembre de 2016
Taking it for Granted
This weekend I had two friends studying abroad come visit me here in Seville, one from Prague and the other from Florence. I was so excited to show them my little study abroad world here in Seville but also a little nervous. I wondered, “Will they like it as much as I do?” “Will they be able to see the culture and traditional values?” “Will they think it’s as fun and exciting to be here as I do?” So many questions ran though my head and now that they are both on flights out of Seville, I can say I had one of the best weekends of my trip because I was able to see Seville through the same lens I had upon arrival. My friends were constantly commenting on how lively and engaging the locals are as well as the employees of tapas bars and restaurants who loved to strike up conversations with us. I realize these last few weeks of being here I have taken for granted all the amazing things Seville has to offer. I’ve been too Plaza de España plenty of times but this time I actually took a moment to just sit and take in its beauty. We strolled through Parque de Maria Luisa and admired how lush and green it is in there amongst fellow travelers as well as locals spending quality time with family and friends. I usually don’t eat out because I have a host mom but I know some of some great tapas bars and traditional Spanish restaurants. When I took my friends to these places they were amazed at how easy it was to find local places that served traditional food as opposed to fast food or more modernized restaurants. Overall I had a great weekend showing them around and it was the wake up call I needed to remind me that I am so lucky to get to spend this time living in such an amazing place and as the trip quickly comes to an end I want to be more present and aware of my surroundings, because here in Seville they are truly amazing.
Halloween Experience in Sevilla
I didn’t expect to celebrate Halloween in Spain, especially with Spaniards, as it is a major holiday in the US brought by the Irish, and not a traditional holiday for Spain, but there I was, at a Botellón in the Alameda surrounded by hundreds of locals in costume. As expected, I found that Halloween is celebrated quite differently here, though this perhaps could be attributed to the fact that there aren't as many suburban parts of Sevilla where there are homes that provide an easy way to trick-or-treat. I saw that in general, more young children dress up than do adults and adolescents, which is largely the same in the US. However, I was surprised that the costumes worn by those who were adults or young adults, for both genders, were much scarier than the majority of costumes worn by the same age group in the US. In fact, as I was leaving my apartment building, there was a young-appearing man who was wearing a very creepy mask that covered the mouth and nose, who proceeded to chase me and my friend to scare us for entertainment until the point where we were screaming so loudly that my all of my neighbors in my apartment came outside to see what was going on. There was one older woman who was calmly staring at the ordeal as we continued to scream for the masked man to stop, and then after about 5 minutes when he stopped, she walked over to us, revealed that it was her 13 year old son and then had him apologize. I found it so bizarre that she didn't do anything whilst he was in the act, but I digress.
Any who, in my experience, in the States there is a huge emphasis on “sexy” costumes for women and especially university students, but the “sexy” costumes I saw worn on halloween were worn by transgender and gay youths who I actually spoke to at the botellón (who told me of their sexual orientation without me asking, I wasn’t just assuming). This group I spoke to shared with me that a large majority of young adults who were dressed up at the alameda either identified as gay or transgender or were part of a group that is accepting of those individuals, which is both surprising and interesting. Overall, the night was a memorable cultural learning experience and it was fun to see how the American halloween culture is assimilated here and who is most influenced by it.
viernes, 18 de noviembre de 2016
The Locals
From the moment I arrived to Sevilla in
September, I noticed the welcoming nature of the people. Interestingly, I am
not referring to the regular passerby on the street or to my homestay family
who has taken me in these past months. I
am most referring to the nature of the seemingly large young population of
Sevilla that, in my mind, is the most accepting of American students.
Throughout this semester, my friends and I have had the privilege to meet a
variety of locals in the restaurants, cafes, and bars in Sevilla. All are
around our age, and they all instantly invite us out with them and their
friends, get our numbers, and actually follow through in texting us to meet up
and go out together. We speak with them in Spanish, and almost as intercambios,
they challenge us to say knew phrases and learn new words as we go back and
forth throughout the night in communication. Oftentimes, I am struck by their
extent of friendliness. I imagine myself in their shoes in the states, and I
know that I would never extend the same amount of friendliness to a foreign
student in my own city of Chicago. I might interact with them in the bars or
restaurants and ask how their time is while travelling abroad, however, I know
for a fact that I would never think to invite them out with my friends and I so
that I could play hostess for a night. The concept is so new to me in fact,
that whenever I do meet another local who wants to go out or receive a text
from one who is trying to coordinate plans I never want to take it for granted.
I love this aspect of the culture, and I think it is so special to see people
my age—who have no responsibility or tie to me—being so welcoming and engaging.
I think it is one of the best aspects of Sevilla.
jueves, 10 de noviembre de 2016
The "regular"
Something that I’ve noticed with almost every tapa’s bar I’ve visited in Seville is the “regular” customer priority. At first I didn’t understand what was going on. I would be waiting on a list to be seated and other people would walk up and be immediately seated. Other times I would be waiting for food for what seemed like forever and I would see a person or group that arrived much later than me happily eating away. Thinking somewhat ethnocentrically, I thought they must dislike tourists here or treat the locals with much better service. After a lesson in my pop culture class, I realized that these bars and restaurants were simply taking care of their long-time regular customers, which is a very novel concept for an American. When an employee sees a customer that they have served many times before they are inclined to seat them first or treat them exceptionally well because the Spanish people are very big on maintaining relationships. In the states you would hardly ever see this behavior because employees are very concerned with tips from each and every customer so everyone is treated the same. Although I think both styles of interacting with customers have their pros and cons, I have enjoyed attempting to become a regular at certain places in Seville to enjoy this unique custom.
miércoles, 9 de noviembre de 2016
The most important meal of the day, Landon Feuerstein
When I first arrived in Spain, I was traveling with my abroad program for about a week. We were constantly on the move and never really had time for breakfast. By the time I had gotten to Sevilla, I was very ready to finally have a nice sit down breakfast. At first, my host mother would just serve me toast with some olive oil on it. After about a week of this, I started to get worried. How long would this go on for? Would I ever get to eat a real breakfast in Sevilla? The answer to the former: Yes, it is still going on. I guess being brought up in the united states we are constantly told “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” and so we eat accordingly. It is basically seen as eating enough food to “fuel” your body the rest of the day. I figured the rest of the world felt this way as well. I am now on month 3 in Sevilla and have realized I was very wrong (and naive) when I thought the rest of the world valued breakfast as much as us Americans do. I have finally become accustomed to the toast and olive oil for breakfast, however, that doesn't mean I don't crave a nice breakfast burrito with bacon, egg, and cheese…daily.
The slower pace, by Landon Feuerstein
Another aspect of Sevilla i had to become (i am still not fully) accustomed to is the slower pace. Coming from New York City, nobody even has time to breathe. When i decided that I’d be coming to Sevilla, one of the most popular cities in the world, i thought the pace be around the same as it is in Manhattan. Again, i was very wrong. While there are parts of the city and certain people that move very quickly, there seems to be an underlying la-dee-da type of mentality. Punctuality isn't nearly as big here as it is in New York, most people don't seem to be in a rush to go anywhere, and its almost as if everyone is on their own clock— yet somehow it manages to work. I find myself walking in the streets much faster than everyone else, constantly passing people. I find myself being early to meetings while other people casually show up 10-15 minutes late as if nothing happened. I find myself rapidly completing tasks in order to move on to the next one, just like every other New Yorker. But thats not how it is here, the Spanish value down time and value a slower lifestyle much more than anyone else i know.
lunes, 7 de noviembre de 2016
Bull Fighting: Views from an American Outsider by Zack Abu-shanab
On
September 25th I attended the Bullfight in Seville. I personally do
not agree with the practice, but I felt it necessary to participate to
understand the culture. After 3 hours, 6 dead bulls, and a lot of images that
were hard to stomach, I found myself disgusted and confused. How could these
people cheer as these animals were slaughtered for a sport? How could a culture
support this type of practice? It made no sense, yet I looked towards America
and made connections to Dog Fighting. It is not man vs dog like the bull
fighting is, but it is a type of sport that puts two beings against together to
the death. In my opinion it is horrible, yet in the eyes of some people it’s a
great sport. Another thing that I acknowledged was that not everyone enjoyed
the sport in itself. People seemed to be split in their reviews. My homestay,
for example, dislikes the sport and was horrified when I mentioned that I was
going to the event. Others, predominately the older generations, seemed to like
it and even cheered the loudest during the event. In the future I see this type
of practice dying or maybe adapting in a way that the bull doesn’t die. I
recognized the cultural difference, thus the reason why I can’t be too critical
of it.
City of Seville vs City of Chicago, by Zack Abu-shanab
Chicago
and Seville are very different in the ways that they carry out their daily
lives. In Seville, I have found a “home” so to speak. The people in Seville are
warm and often are happy to talk to you. The traffic, though a bit hectic at
first, is the only place in the world in which I found works so well. In some
work of a miracle, horse drawn tours, trains, taxis, buses, cars, bikes, and
pedestrians all somehow share the same streets and very little accidents. These
characteristics are not found in Chicago. In Chicago, the people are a lot more
aggressive, I rarely have the opportunity to strike up a conversation because
everyone is rushing everywhere. In my time I spend using transportation in
Chicago, I have never felt comfortable driving because of the amount of people
that drive like maniacs. The pedestrians are constantly running and screaming
at each other. Now imagine trying to jam horse drawn tours and a train that was
run in the middle in the road instead of being elevated. It would be impossible.
And taking into the factor that the roads in the states are a lot wider,
letting up to 4-5 lanes at times. Here in Spain, some of the roads are so
tight, I am amazed in how some of the vehicles are fitting in. In the end, the
cultures are very different for the better of their cultures. One thing is for
sure, I am going to miss the type of lifestyle here in Seville.
miércoles, 2 de noviembre de 2016
the way people approach life in Seville, by Juliana Hudson
I’d just like to share a few aspects of my experience abroad in Sevilla so far. To begin with, I really enjoy the way people approach life here. For the most part, the people really like to enjoy things and take their time doing it. Meals here are valuable moments for the family to get together and just chat. They last a longer time and there’s never a hurry to move on to the next item on the agenda. It’s crazy to think of the difference between how people eat lunch here and in America where my mom sometimes eats lunch at her desk at work because they don’t have enough time to really eat.
I love the way people dress here. Everyone makes a conscious effort to look great in the morning. I can’t stop looking at girl’s clothes and just admiring. In my university back in Miami, while we’re known to always look good, the students there sometimes dress sloppily and it’s not appealing to be surrounded by people who don’t care enough to look a little bit nice. I believe it’s important to wake up and do our best to feel good and look good because it affects your confidence for the rest of the day.
I’m halfway through my experience abroad and I’m starting to feel it slip away. There’s still so much I feel I haven’t experienced to the fullest but I will continue to try it. Although, one thing I can say for sure is that Sevilla is a great city to spend a semester abroad because while it’s beautiful and super manageable it is also so friendly and welcoming. It’s easy to walk the streets and discover new things. I feel like Spanish culture agrees with my view on life.
martes, 1 de noviembre de 2016
Linguistic Soup, by Carly Meador
Difference in Hygiene: hypersensitive or under-sanitary?, by Carly Meador
In coming to Sevilla, I have observed major differences in the concept of hygiene as compared to the United States, particularly in schools. In the US, hygiene is a major concern particularly in public places in order to prevent illness. In schools, there are signs posted all over the restrooms that advise kids to wash their hands and take sanitary precautions in order to avoid catching the flu, or a common cold. In Sevilla, schools don’t provide soap, or toilet paper in the public restrooms. I have observed this in the University but also in the elementary school that I volunteered in for younger kids. Young kids playing in the park are allowed to use the street as the toilet because this is deemed as more hygienic for the children than using a public restroom might be. It would be an interesting study to compare the amount of children who get the flu in the United States versus a city like Sevilla, to analyze which method is better for our health. This is particularly interesting to me, because I have gotten very sick the past few days due to differences in hygiene and diet, but its possible that I am hypersensitive.
Is it possible, that by exposing kids at all ages to more bacteria and “germs”, that kids build up stronger immune systems and are less likely to get sick during flu season than more sheltered children? Or do children who take better care of their hygiene (ex washing hands more frequently), generally get sick less than the children who don’t practice such rigorous hygiene routines? So the question remains, are American students “sheltered” and “hypersensitive”? Have we been cultured to need our “personal bubble” in order to maintain our health? Or is this sheltering good for our the maintenance of our health? Is there a “right” way, Or have we just been conditioned?
lunes, 17 de octubre de 2016
Football or Fútbol? Sophie Anderson
Football? Futbol? The sports scene in Spain seems to be completely composed of the football that is really only played with the feet. One of my American friends came to visit me and commented how on the soccer fields, there were no football yard lines to be seen, because generally in America the Football fields would double as soccer fields at small schools or universities. During a game or tournament, you can only just walk down the street and see every person outside/inside a café with all of their bodies angled in the same direction watching the game. Little boys will run around with their little white Atletico Madrid jerseys, usually adorned with a chocolate ice cream stain. Also it seems like the only haircut for Spanish men here are the saved sides and the pompadour on top, just like the tiny players running around on the field. The influences seem intense, but then I am reminded of crazy packers fans running around with cheese on their heads and then it is all clear to me that everyone likes to get rowdy for some football. Betis is my favorite team because I have been borne into the magic of futbol by my roommates. I must say they have taught me well, and that it is much easier to understand than American football. (Do girls wear soccer Jerseys?) I will most likely go home to America and instead of watching the Texans lose, I'll probably turn on some good old fashion Spanish soccer.
Students are drawn to study abroad for many reasons by Sophie Anderson
Students are drawn to study abroad for many reasons. The location, the activities, the sights,... But one of the most important cultural aspects that draw the people out of their homes and into the unknown world is food. (Just ask the Italian study abroad students) But we are here to talk about Spanish food goodness and why it is so important to me as of late.
While many students have host mom living situations, I am in a "flat" or "piso" with many other roommates. To be quite honest with you, in the beginning I couldn't help but correlate Spanish food with Mexican food, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Someone had told me that they ate a lot of olives, in which then I imagined myself eating olives and a baguette (respectively covered in olive oil) for breakfast lunch and dinner. While that was a little exaggerated, I'm glad that is not the reality here. So, I found myself stalking the foods of my roommates constantly in the kitchen, looking over their shoulder regularly for ideas. Also, I would interview my fellow classmates daily and ask them what their host moms were graciously preparing them, of course being a little jealous of their magical sounding foreign foods. But I was on a mission. Of course there was tribulation, such as the fact that my apartment doesn't actually have a microwave. (collective American gasps) And also judgmental raised eyebrows when I would have pasta for dinner or eggs for breakfast. "dinner is supposed to be lite!" they would say. But in the meantime I have learned to make such things as garbanzo bean soup, various combinations of bocadillos, and other various Spanish seafoods that otherwise would have been foreign to me. (octopus isn't actually that intimidating) Some of my Personal favorite Spanish cuisines are jamon serrano, Tortilla, and croquetas. It is hard to wait until 9:30 a night for dinner, but I am adamant to wait if it means I get to cook all together with my fun roomies. Mac and cheese will just have to wait.
miércoles, 28 de septiembre de 2016
martes, 27 de septiembre de 2016
Whatsup or whatsapp?, by Brittany Tickner
Texting and communicating in Spain is different than in the United States. At home we text with SMS or iMessage straight to a phone number from the texting program in our phones. In Spain, a majority of the younger generation who have smart phones use an app called whatsapp. I did not understand when someone said 'whatsapp' and thought it was whatsup! A lot of people made jokes, but I still wasn't understanding until I saw the name of the app. In order to text someone you both need to have this app. It is an app available on all phones, except apparently windows, but most people here have androids which is also different from the US where we typically have iPhones.
My host mom does actually text me from her phone but she has a sliding phone with now QWERTY keyboard, she has to click until she gets to the letter she wants. So I text her from my Spain phone but everyone else I 'Whatsapp' them.
Cervezarias y cafeterias, by Brittany Tickner.
In the United States, specifically Northern Illinois, service is fast and efficient. Rarely are you at a restaurant for more than an hour when the goal is to get in, eat and leave. That is not the case in Sevilla. First, to order you would most likely need to go up to the bar or counter to tell one of the two people working what you want. Then, if it's not a quick beer off the tap, you can go sit and come back when you see that your food (most likely a tapa) is ready. People don't always bring food to your table, they are not working for tips like they are in the States. This also means you are not going to have a waiter or waitress coming to your table to check on you or bring you the check until you ask, literally flag them down. This may seem like bad service, but it's part of the culture.
Eating and drinking is not done in an hour and you go home, it is a social event. You go to talk over a shared tapa and beer/wine (Cruzcampo is the beer of choice at most bars). I have also learned that it is a social event for the staff as well. I have now frequented the same bar a few times and they will come and chat with us and have even brought us tapas to try! I have seen them do this to other groups of people as well. There was even a group who looked like they were headed to a wedding hanging out with the staff! The community atmosphere is great and makes it feel like home when you go out.
The people are friendly and are all about having conversations! One time while sitting at a cafeteria alone I had an elderly lady come and sit with me! Everyone in the cafe seemed to know each other as well. That place has become my favorite for a breakfast and Emilio's has become my favorite for a tapa and drinks with friends!
Pictured: Empanados de Pollo y Tortilla.
How can you post here, by Samuel Arias
1) Choose a topic you want about your personal experience in Spain. You can reflect on anything you want.
2) Write at least 200 words.
3) Send it to "arias.sanchez.samuel@gmail.com"
4) Specify if you want to remain anonymous, if not, I will write your name at the end.
5) I will read every post. If there is nothing offensive or inappropriate, I will just copy and paste it as you sent it to me.
domingo, 18 de septiembre de 2016
First Class on line information
Syllabus
legacy.saylor.org (Cultural Psychology)
Survey
Documentary: sudanese in the USA
Documentary. Human Evolution - History of Humanity
The Spanish experience
http://awanderingcasiedilla.com/2015/06/01/viernes, 9 de septiembre de 2016
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