Differences: Post Two

Here are a few more of the differences I've noticed between Spain and the US:

TIME

What is said.
"Let's meet up at 10."
More accurate translation.
"I'm going to possibly leave my house around ten and slowly meander halfway across the city to where we're supposed to meet. I'll likely get there sometime around 10:35."

My group is catching on quite well with Spanish time, as we like to call it.

Simply substitute the drink with a Sangria and you're golden.

DESSERT

It's called FRUIT. It fulfills two categories on the Spanish food pyramid. In America, you can find it crammed on the second level of our food pyramid, overlooked by pasta and candy.

No matter what today's school system says, THIS is the real food pyramid.

Say it with me America. H-E-A-L-T-H-Y

Yes, they actually are used for other purposes than Sangria mix and throwing objects in riots here.

This is probably one of the reasons that Spain's obesity rate is much lower.

HOMELESS PEOPLE

Well, I guess I can't really make any sarcastic comments on this one. You see, on average, a bit more homeless people on the corners here. Evidently, I'm not going to post pictures of them (nor do I have any), but the signs saying "I have 3 kids, two dogs, and cancer" are quite frequent. I'm still uneasy about this topic; as a Christian we're supposed to help the poor, but it's so hard to tell who's out there begging out of legitimate need and who just wants the pity money from generous bystanders. 

POLITICS

Politicians and politics are equally as bad here as in America, if not a little worse due to frequent corruption. However, there is pretty much one issue that always comes up and surprises me when I've had conversations with Spaniards, and it's about gun rights. 

I'm pretty sure they can't even fathom the fact that a modern, progressive, technology-filled nation allows their citizens to have pistols, much less rifles and pretty much everything else. In Spain, it's downright near impossible to get legally carry a gun, unless you're a police officer. Consequently, Spain's murder rate by gun is much lower, however, when you take into consideration they have population of about 45 million compared to the U.S.'s 300 million+, it's understandable.

Unfortunately, this means the only television coverage they get of America in depth is when there's a shooting. My host mom literally thought it was a bloodbath other there everyday. Misinformation is an international disease, I guess.

Yeah!

There's a lot more to experience here. Let's see where this adventure takes me!

Jacob