What is the essence of Spain? I’m talking about physical things you can see, hear, touch, things that are unique to the landscape of Spanish life. If we were talking about the UK for example, I might think of starched white grass on frost-bitten mornings, newsagents, PG Tips tea, carpeted living rooms, gastro pubs, billowing green trees, light rain, the M25… things that just say: The British Isles.
By the same token, what is the essence of Spain? What are those unique physical and sensory pointers that combine to let you know This is Spain, not France, Britain, Australia, or anywhere else… just Spain.
Here are a few of the things that come to my mind:
The Menu del Dia
Distant sawtooth mountains
Dry meseta plains
Cola Cao
Appartment buildings
El Pais
Cafe con Leche
Langostinos
Bumper to bumper driving on motorways
Waiters in waistcoats
Bright blue skies
Small dogs
Children playing in warm Plazas at midnight
The noisy front-line of bodies and parasols on hot Mediterranean beaches
I really want to develop this list: What would you add?
Helen
13 Feb 08 at 5:31 pm
I live in the UK and every weekend I pass a small house inhabited by an elderly man who is often to be found sitting in his front garden winter or summer. Everthing in the garden is ‘make do or mend’ – old metal wheelbarrows, mismatched paving and tiles, various metal objets – all beautifully painted and maintained.
Instantly I think of rural Spain, where the throwaway culture of B&Q/Leroy Merlin has yet to arrive
Ray
14 Feb 08 at 7:55 am
Anyhting I can think of is already here, so I’ll vote for the ones I agree with:
Bullfights, Flamenco music, Clotheslines visible from the street, One-way roads, expensive to drive, round-abouts, no personal space.
Niall
18 Feb 08 at 4:13 pm
Very, very funny. Some great ones there, but for me it has to be fighting with the grannies for footpath space, they just won’t move
luke
25 Feb 08 at 12:26 pm
Paying 350 Euros for a communion dress plus 85 Euros for accessories plus white shoes. And then having to invite cousins of cousins to a ristorante. All for an eight year old girl to be able to eat the Host. Que Hostia!
David
27 Feb 08 at 2:50 pm
Spain is great place to live… I think it’s always best to try to enjoy and the differences between the countries.
It is undeniable that you can find amazing weather, beautiful scenery and good food here in Spain.
Go find it!!
Elena
27 Feb 08 at 2:50 pm
Dear all,
I was born in Madrid and I love to go abroad but the most important thing is when I come back from my trips and I realised that we are different, we can go out anytime and anyday of week you can find places to have lunch, dinner, have a beer without any problem.
People is really open-minded and try to help you anywhere. We try to understand and help foreign people who speak another language.
Spí nish people enjoy every moment of the day, working, going out, lunch time, dinner time, and this why our average of life expectancy is the best in the world.
Frank!!! , get spanish parthner who show you how to enjoy the life and you will change your opinion of Spain.
angel
8 Jan 09 at 2:05 am
Essence of Spain:
Corte Ingles,
Thousands of people everywhere,
being kicked out of the sidewalk by spanish people,
being not understood every time I open my mouth,
rudeness of people,
splendid sea food,
beautiful cities,
dog shit and piss everywhere,
waiters in bad mood,
pretty people
bitchy girls.
Perro Callejero
17 Jan 09 at 5:53 am
For me, both the good AND the bad things remind me of Spain, and are good to reminisce about.
Spain is:
-Paper-thin napkins that say “Gracias por su visita”
(I only did that once)
-Oppressive 3pm sun blotted out by narrow streets
-Going into Corte Ingles solely for the A/C, not to buy anything
-Contemplative solo rides on the train to Cercedillas through the rolling hill/mountains
-Mysterious puddles of liquid on Madrid streets
-”Cervecerías” that ALL look IDENTICAL
-Marvelling at how freaking HUGE the Palacio Real is, despite walking past it 500 times
-Café con leche
-Moody waiters (I agree with that one, but it amuses me, doesn’t annoy me)
-Smoking
-The windy air coming through the Metro tunnel
-Buying a doughnut and juice at the snack bar in the Ciudad Universitaria metro stop
-Downing a 35oz. beer right before class in the school’s bar
-Homemade croquetas by my host family
-Reading the ABC each morning
-listening to Estopa on my iPod in the metro
-”Tengan cuidado para no introducir el pie entre coche y andén”
-Constantly talking with friends about snowboarding at Madrid Xanadú…and never doing it.
-Conversation teachers who talk like a drunk cab driver
-”Compra oro! Joyas! Mejores precios!”
-Telefónica
-Huelgas de todos tipos!