This week we continued our studies of EU structure, Regulation 44, and the area of freedom, security and justice. I’m finally hitting my stride, and life seems to have a familiar pattern, which I’m realizing I appreciate more than I knew. Our class schedule has no consistency; day to day and week to week it varies. We sometimes have class four days a week, sometimes one. Lecturers rotate, teaching one to three classes at a time. Some days we have class starting at 8am, sometimes it starts at 1pm, sometimes its 6pm. The one single consistency is that each day we have time for a long lunch and a siesta. I had thought the Spanish siesta was a stereotype – something like American’s love of soda and McDonalds – but it’s actually still a prominent part of the culture, at least here in Bilbao. From around 2:00pm to 4:00pm, most shops close and the streets become quieter. I personally avoid napping during this time for fear my night time schedule will be confused, but inevitably I feel a bit lethargic, as if the siesta penetrates the air itself. I appreciate the relaxation break in the middle of the day, but it’s a huge culture clash for Americans as our initial reaction is: What do you mean I can’t purchase things whenever I want or need throughout the day? and Don’t businesses lose money during those two hours? But, it’s clear that the priority here is to relax and enjoy life – something that’s exemplified through many facets of Spanish culture. My roommate, Nerea, often comes home during siesta, to eat lunch and relax for a bit. Lunch is the biggest daily meal here, and at restaurants you can usually only order the “Menu del dia”. It’s a semi-fixed menu which includes a first course, second course, desert, wine and bread. Every time I partake in the menu del dia, I tell myself not to do it again – it’s just too much food for me to eat at one time, even if I don’t eat the rest of the day. Spaniards eat out much less than Americans do, which explains why they can remain so fit despite these elaborate meals. But, enjoying the menu del dia is definitely a cultural experience, so today Jessica and I partook. We both had heavy salads as the first course, and Jess had steak as the second course. For my second course, I ate the traditional ‘squid in its own ink’ which consists of about 4 pieces of calamari steak, drowning in the blackest sauce you’ve ever seen. There’s no strong flavor, but the sauce has a uniquely rich texture. I can’t say it’s the best thing I’ve ever eaten, but it is a common local dish, and relatively enjoyable. We shared a bottle of wine, and of course ate bread, which is always fresh and delicious here. For dessert, Jess had flan and I had rice pudding – both common desserts. Needless to say, that day we went home and completed our cultural immersion by celebrating the siesta.
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| sooooo muchhhhh fooooooooodddd.... |
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| that dessert was torture. But already paid for, so we ate it anyways. |
