Food

I’m going to start writing about my food because people ask me about it a lot. So we will start off with something good: Paella. For those of you would don’t know what Paella is, it is rice with spices and vegetables. Like every Spanish food, it includes olive oil and salt. Spices that are often used are rosemary, paprika, saffron, and garlic. Tomatoes and peppers are often used. There is usually some sort of protein source included which could either be chicken, rabbit, duck, or sausage. Seafood paella is popular and includes crustaceans in their original shells who appear to be staring at you.

Paella is delicious! We only have it on weekends.

It’s Spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The current weather in Cordoba is what I consider to be spring weather. Mild to warm temperatures (high 50s to low 60s). There is really no need for anything heavier than a hoodie but Spaniards are still bundling up.

Nothing is blooming yet but what makes me really feel like its spring is the air.
It’s light and crisp in a way it never is in winter. The birds help too. I constantly hear birds chirping away.

The downside: Rain. It is on and off all day almost every day. It’s been a very rainy year for southern Spain. The cities are not coping well. There has been serious flooding in several places; most notably in Cadiz. Luckily, flooding here has been minimal. The river is a disaster but it has yet to affect the city.
The picture above is what the trees look like now. When the leaves start falling in the fall, the public maintenance people cut all the branches off. I assume that the purpose of this is to prevent the mess that fallen leaves would create. It seems unnecessary as fallen leaves aren’t a big deal. The trees look kind of creepy now; like gnarled, deformed, open hands.

Perritos Espanoles: Dogs in Spain

One of my favorite things about Spain is the constant presence of dogs. People are really into having dogs here. I see people walking their dogs constantly; everyday, at any hour. You are “allowed” to walk your dog wherever you damn well please. I like that. My mother is constantly reprimanded (by strangers!) about where she chooses to walk our dog. We do not live in a neighborhood so for variety and actual walking space, she takes Totty down to the library or the high school. On one occasion, an elderly man who lives across from the library confronted her by saying “Don’t you think your dog would prefer to walk in his own neighborhood?” Seriously. Apparently in our town it is only acceptable to certain people to walk your dog directly in front of your house or in the dog park which is a 25 minute drive away from my house.

Anyway, people here take their dogs everywhere. They walk on every street and in every park. They are even allowed in some stores. I really enjoy seeing dogs everywhere because it always lifts my mood.

People here are often fastidious dog caretakers. They go for walks several times a day. As soon as the weather gets chilly (here that means 60 degrees), most dogs wear little coats or sweaters. I also have noticed that most dogs are impeccably well groomed. It’s lovely to see beautiful, happy, healthy dogs running around acting adorable. It makes my day when one comes up to me in the park on my way to class!

Small dogs are popular choices. Most people live in apartments which means that a small dog is more practical. Terriers are common. Mainly Yorkshire terriers but I have also seen the English Toy Terrier, the Rat Terrier, and the Toy Manchester Terrier. I’ve occasionally seen shih tzus and Pomeranians. Pugs are rare but I have witnessed quite a few French bulldogs. The Spanish water dog is relatively common as well. Big dogs like retrievers and German shepherds are extremely rare but I have seen a few. The big guys are so uncommon that they often seem like strange, otherworldly creatures when I see them here.

There are two interesting aspects about dog ownership here that I find to be very different from ewhat is acceptable in the U.S. One is that owners routinely let their dogs off their leads. Dogs are allowed to roam free in the park. I have never once seen a dog run out of the park alone. They also walk the streets without leads. These dogs are well behaved and obedient to their owners. I have never once seen a dog run away from their owner on the street. This surprised me when I first got here. In the U.S. it’s considered standard and necessary to always have your dog on a leash. You are considered an irresponsible owner if you let them fly solo in public. It also makes me wonder about Spanish dogs. How are they all so well behaved?

The second thing is something I really dislike about Spain. Dog poop. It‘s a serious problem. No one picks up after their dog here. As a result, there is dog poop everywhere, all the time. And usually someone has stepped in it before you so it’s smeared across the sidewalk. It’s disgusting. It also boggles my mind because I see public employees gardening and cleaning the park constantly. They are serious about the maintenance of public property here. You would think this would create some sort of social attitude that made it unacceptable to leave dog poop everywhere. WRONG. There are workers who clean the streets every night, so maybe people figure it will be cleaned up anyway. I do not see that as an acceptable excuse. In the U.S.it is never okay to leave dog poop behind. You are a horrible person if you do and you will be fined for it if you are caught.

Spanish Mystery

So as we all know we Americans have weight issues. Everyone presumes that this is due to poor lifestyle choices. After spending a semester here I am not so sure.

The Spanish diet is not healthier than ours. Really. They eat lots of fish which is excellent. But that's about the only healthy thing they eat. They fry everything. EVERYTHING. Fish, chicken, vegetables. Everything. Have you ever had fried cauliflower? It's absolutely scrumptious but is it necessary? No. Fried food is fun every once and awhile but everyday? Really?

They salt everything. Everything has a ridiculous amount of salt. And the Spanish girls I live with put even more salt on everything we eat.

CARBS. They eat bread like it's their business. So much bread. At every meal. I think we go through 2 loaves a day for seven people. They usually eat it with olive oil which is very healthy and a practice I will adopt in the U.S. But still. I feel like it can't be great to eat nearly a whole loaf of bread within 24 hours everyday.

The Spanish girls hardly ever eat meat without Mayonnaise. They need it for everything. Fish, pork, sausage, chicken.

They don't eat much fruit or vegetables. They refuse. Simply refuse to touch it like 4 year olds. I constantly hear about how much they hate fruit and vegetables.

At first I thought maybe they don't snack. No that is not true. My roommates snack constantly. Maria's favorite is chocolate cereal with chocolate milk and sugar. I have honestly found her mindlessly snacking while she lounges watching TV more times than I can count.

Maybe they lead more active lifestyles? No. My American roommates and I are criticized for exercising. The Spanish girls can't understand it. They ask incredulously why we would do such a thing. Explanations like "I don't want to gain weight" or "I want to be healthy" or even "it's good for my heart" mean nothing to them. They just don't get it. They really think it's bizarre that we remain so committed to fitness.

They also smoke like chimneys. Well most of them. This whole country smells like tobacco.

So here is the mystery: How do they not have the same obesity rate as America? How do they live longer than us? How are they not dropping like flies? I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

I fail at uploading pictures

The Chocolate

Back in Cordoba

So I am back in Cordoba. Ready for a new semester. A fresh start. Apparently, this includes torrential downpours. Every day. Am considering making a sacrifice to the rain gods to appease them. I have already lost a valuable bracelet. You would think this would be enough but it obviously doesn't cut it.

I wasn't super psyched to return but I am feeling much better. Here are my favorite things about Spain: CHURROS AND CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LIED!

Yea it's been over two months since my last post. Here are the things I meant to blog about but didn't and probably wont':

1) Journey to Morocco- It was awesome. I went with two friends on a trip organized byt eh travel group We Love Spain. I rode a camel for less than two minutes, ate excellent food, watch 2 minutes of Friends with Arabic subtitles, went to the market, saw Europe from the coast in Ceuta, watched a moroccan dance/magic show, and toured a beautiful village. Our tour guide spoke English and Spanish. He kept saying "perhaps" after everything. Example: "Then perhaps, maybe I give you free time after the tour, perhaps." It was cute. I also went to a presentation about spices in the spice market where the presenter insulted Colombians for their cocaine trade. I was offended on their behalf.

2) Trip to Brussels. Lovely city with numerous chocolate shops. CHOCOLATE. That is the main message. Had huge travel disaster on the way home.

3) Trip to Rome. Had excellent luck. Think I gained five pounds from the incredibly rich food. GELATO. Saw St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Spanish steps, and the Trevi Fountain. SAW CHRISTINE!

4) Trip to London. SAW KATIE!! It was great. Saw the London Eye and Big Ben. Adventured to a club where Rihanna had her record release party. Lost my Camera on the way home.