When compared to home, Spain is an interesting preponderance of compelling differences.
Or, in other words, it ain’t home.
Evening river scene in Sevilla, Spain
Our 2009 Tour of Spain is in its “final throes” as our ex-VP once claimed in a massive underestimation of reality.
Or, in other words, it’s almost time to come home.
During our almost three week tour, I have developed a list of observations, likely of no interest to anyone but myself.
Or, in other words, this may be more boring than normal.
O.K. here goes, and in no order of significance or relevance.
Why is it we saw numerous people dutifully picking up their dogs’ poo yet witnessed numerous men peeing in public against a building and onto the sidewalk?
Why is it that it appears that the vast majority of the dining populace insists on smoking a cigarette before-during-and after a meal, almost to the point of taking a toke between bites of their bocadillo (sandwich)?
Why is it these people choose to not have dinner until sometime after 10:30 p.m. and why—or how—do these people seem to require virtually no sleep, whatsoever? It is certainly not the volume of caffeine they consume (read on).
Why, if they take their mid-morning and mid-afternoon coffee interludes with friends as much as a social event, as a consumption of caffeine, do they serve the coffee in a cup so small that it is gone within one gulp?
La Concha beach, San Sebastian, Spain
Why are many Europeans so much less prudish about nudity and sex, whether it is on public beaches (yes, in these pictures) and in art galleries?
La Concha beach, San Sebastian, Spain
And, in a case of a reverse travel observation of foreign affairs, why is it that inevitably an overly loud person—or persons—in a public place will be an American?
As I have commented before, I think I finally figured out the attraction to travel as largely—at least for myself—an adventure into the exotic.
Or, in other words said again, it is different than home.
And as a final observation, how in the hell do these people look so damn healthy given the pounds of processed meat they eat, cigarettes they smoke, gallons of wine they drink, and apparent lack of sleep?
I guess I will do a concentrated analysis during our final days here through intense emulation.
Or, in other words, drink more wine and eat more fatty foods.
I don’t need to take up smoking…I am probably in-taking the equivalent of three packs-a-day just due to second hand smoke.
Circus poster, Madrid, Spain
