A Well-SPAIN Summer
- Thao Chu
- Nov 8, 2018
- 3 min read
If you want to feel Spanish, go to lunch at 3 in the afternoon and have dinner after 9:30!
When I thought of Europe, Spain was the last thing that crossed my mind. It's a country down South, super hot, famous for tourist scams, and of course, FOOTBALL (which I have zero interest in). This impression makes it an undesirable destination to intern for 6 weeks, but I went with the flow in the end. It's my second nature to be super curious for rumors and observe, if any, those red flags in real life. If you know me, that's also why I'm really thrilled at the thought of visiting India and Mexico!
Anyway, every Spanish city surprised me in a different way. At first glance, it's heaven on Earth for color addicts. From Gaudi's masterpieces to castles, palaces, restaurants, and boutiques, everything was brightened by the healthy mix of warm and cool colors. There's no consistent patterns for their architecture, so the constructions came in many shapes and sizes, making every street you turn a new attraction itself. It's definitely not the cleanest country, nor the safest or the most disciplined place, but Spain is Spanish. It's original. It doesn't look French, feel Italian, or taste German!
Falling For Food...
Before talking about food, I find their dining habits so interesting. Most restaurants offer lunch after 1:00 and dinner after 9:00. Diners, especially those in central areas, are crowded until after midnight. People just casually hang out, even in weekdays!
Since Spain is a cheap country, food is not an exception! A decent meal (of course, wine included), if not in touristy areas, will cost only less than 18 euros each. A few popular (and personal favorite) Spanish dishes include:
Croquettes!!!! - a small breadcrumbed fried roll filled with hot cheese and meat/ham/seafoods. I fell in love at the first bite...
Tortilla: in other words, potato omelette
Patatas bravas: Fried potatoes (usually cut into cubes), topped with bravas sauce (which tastes like spicy tomato)
Churros y Chocolate: Deep-fried, salted churros dipped with sticky hot chocolate sauce
Paella: To be honest, I don't really enjoy paella even though almost every visitor would go crazy for it. It's simply Spanish rice cooked in a pan and topped with chicken or seafood. The rice itself would be a little wet and tender, which is not my go-to type. However, the ingredients blend really well, so the colors are too eye-catching not to mention.
Last but not least, Tapas: a Spanish word similar to snacks or appetizers. Tapas are usually served in a very small portion. Paella, croquettes, and tortilla can also be parts of "tapas" menu and will be served in a tiny size. For tapas, paella would come in a bowl instead of a pan, croquettes would only have 3 pieces, and tortilla would be measured by slices.
Also, When in Spain:
1. Drink sangria. I don't like to drink, and I don't drink, until I tried this fruity alcohol. A snapshot of how much I consumed every meal.
2. Visit both Madrid and Barcelona. They are totally different in cultures and even languages. Barcelona is the capital of the Catalonia region, whose people speak Catalan (a distinct language with many similar features to Spanish) and are trying to declare independence from Spain.
3. Watch a Flamenco show. The raw, fierce sound effects combined with the quick movements of those bright, flowery tiered dresses make the experience so intense.
4. Rooftops hopping is a must. There are way too many pretty rooftops that offer a bird's-eye view of the city. Grab your drinks, watch the sunset, and enjoy the vibes!
A few recommendations: Gymage Lounge, Círculo de Bellas Artes, Jardines de Sabatini, and basically any hotel terrace.
5. Try Mexican food. There are some really cheap places for tacos or burrito. Cherry Pecas and Takos Al Pastor are my two favorites in Madrid. The latter even sells 1-euro tacos, but there's a long line for it.
6. Witness by yourself how big their FOOTBALL culture is. Also if you're from America, don't call it "soccer". "Football" is a more trendy word!
7. Go shopping. You won't believe how big and cheap Primark is in this country.
8. Try Glovo. It's the Spanish UberEats, except it accepts any delivery order, even alcohol and grocery items.
9. If you want to feel Spanish, go to lunch at 3 in the afternoon and have dinner after 9:30!
10. Finally, make as many trips as you can to surrounding cities. Within an hour from Madrid, you can find very cool historical towns like Toledo, Segovia, and Salamanca (fun fact, University of Salamanca is the most prestigious university in the country). Some Spanish cities in the bottom South, such as Seville and Granada, are also culturally unique. They are heavily influenced by the Moroccan architecture, as this is the intersection between Europe and Africa.
Good luck and have fun exploring Spain!
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