Cositas (Little Things)

Well, I haven't written for a couple of weeks, so I thought I'd give another update on what's been happening in my life. 

1). I've started becoming a "local" at a coffee shop just around the corner from my casa. Every week morning around the same time, I go in and order the same thing (más o menos - more or less). Several of the people who work there know me now! [Stay tuned for a post about becoming a local!]

2). I went out for Tapas Thursday with some of the people from my program. 

Left to Right: Kathleen, Hannah, Tiffany, Carli, Addi, Me, Jill, and Dan.

3). Lola, my Señora, makes the world's best paella! Paella is a Spanish rice dish with meat (often with seafood, but not in Lola's).

4). Chocolate con churros is delicious - especially when enjoyed with friends!

Some of my housemates! Left to Right: Sally, Kelsey, Monique, and Me.

5). This last weekend, I visited Portimao, Portugal and fell in love with the beaches there. [So stay tuned for a post about my experience there!]

Here is a glimpse of how gorgeous it is there:

And here are a few random things that I have learned while being here:

• Women greet each other and men with two kisses, one on each cheek. Men, however, shake hands and if they are more familiar, they give each other a pat on the back. 
• Spaniards celebrate their birthday and their Saint's day. 
• You can drink una cerveza (a beer) pretty much at any time of day here. 
• Patriachica is a Spaniard's loyalty to their neighborhood first, then their city, and then, if at all, their country. This is the reason why it is a good idea to become a local at a coffee shop/restaurant/bar - the people will recognize you and give you service quicker and tend to be friendlier. 
• Spaniards have many, many acquaintances and few friends. 
• Spaniards tend to shout a lot. 
• Marianismo refers to one's devotion to the Virgin Mary - but there is more than one. Just like patriachica, each Spanish neighborhood/area remains very loyal to his/her own version of Mary. 
• People rarely decorate the inside of their homes (like around Christmastime or other holidays). A Christmas tree represents a Protestant, so they are very rare in Spain. Nativities are Catholic and will be everywhere starting in December. 

That's all I have for now! ¡Hasta luego! Till later!