America vs. Spain

Okay so this time instead of entertaining you (or boring you) with my epic fails in this mucho largo city, Madrid, I've decided to start a list of things that are very different here than in our proud states of America.
Diferentes en Espana

• Time- and I'm not talking about the 7 hour difference, which is also a pain, but their daily schedule. The mornings here are from about 8 am - 2:30 pm (yes, you read that right) and their breakfast is very small, maybe toast and coffee then they don't have lunch until 2:30 or 3:30!! This inner big girl is struggling. Next, it's time for a siesta (a nap) for only an hour or two which is why everything is closed during these hours, all the shops, restaurants and businesses. When it opens around 4 or 5 everyone goes out for Tapas, which are like bars that serve small appetizers and they are everywhere! Dinner isn't served until anywhere between 8:30-10:30 pm. Living at the Chi O house, this girl is used to eating like a grandma at 5 pm so again it's been a struggle!

• Air conditioning- well it's not really any different they just don't use it. I thought maybe my ghetto home was the only one but it turns out no one uses air conditioning, it's just too expensive for anyone. Remember how it felt to sleep in a cabin at summer camp? Yeah, I've got that joy for a month.

• Appearance- At first glance the people of Spain don't look much different, they aren't tan with dark hair like you picture. In a large city like this there are all kinds of people but their upkeep is what is so different/horrific. I hate to be harsh but it looks as if no one gets a pedicure, visits the dentist or even brushes their hair in the morning. They just don't seem to care about image.

• Salt and Pepper- apparently they don't believe in it and for a girl who puts salt on salt this was a massive problem but you'd be surprised how food can taste without it- bland, who am I kidding?

• Chicos of Spain- Yeah, you know how they say chivalry is dead? Well I think I found the place it was originated. The men of Spain have no respect for women. They are very famous for their "catcalls," which I have encountered far too much already. When american girls walk the streets at night they yell at you saying your pretty, beautiful and I'm sure the words I can't understand in Spanish are not as PG. What's worse is when you try to talk to them in clubs/ bars (or if they creep on you regardless of if you're talking) they won't buy you a drink. So when I told my Dad I wouldn't take drinks from strangers, I wasn't lying... unfortunately.

• Water Fountains- whelp, sadly for my dehydration, they don't believe in these either. I haven't seen one yet and I knew it was odd but it's actually because they have a shortage of water in Spain. So not only do they not have any drinkable water fountains but they also had to stop putting water in the park fountains because people would get so thirsty they would drink out of them. (explains why my redneckness almost came out in me today when I saw water in a fountain after walking for hours)

I'd say these 6 things are at the top of my list on differences but there will be tons more because, of course, no one can be like the best! (Cue chant- USA USA!)

Hasta luego!