As my time is nearing its end in Granada (just about one month left!), there are a lot of things I'm starting to miss about life in the United States. It's great to live in another country for a while, but when you've been raised in one culture for 21 years of your life, there are bound to be things you're eventually going to miss. But, on the other hand, I'm realizing that there will be many things that I will miss about life in Spain. Here's a snapshot of what I'm missing, and what I think I will miss when I return home.
What I miss about the United States:
1. My family
This is the first time I've gone a solid five months without seeing my parents and brother. I haven't even Skyped them because, once again, of the bad Wi-Fi connection. I only talk with my parents on the phone once every one or two weeks, so I look forward to going home and telling them stories in person!
2. Living on my own
I cannot wait to be able to cook what I want, blast music in my room, bring friends over and shower whenever and however many times I want again.
3. Paved roads
The majority or the roads here are cobbled or made out of bumpy rocks, and because I walk at least four miles every day to and from school, the roads have worn my shoes thin and hurt my feet.
4. Going to a gym
The workout culture here is different - there aren't as many people who exercise here for the sake of exercising. They either play sports, or exercise by walking everywhere. Thus, it isn't super common to belong to a gym. I was on a strict routine at my gym before coming here, and I'm really starting to miss it (Nike Training Club app!).
5. Milk
I haven't had a single glass of milk for three months, and I'm used to going through about a gallon a week at home.
6. Driving a car
I find driving fun, and I miss being able to hop in the car and zoom off to wherever I want.
7. Good 'ol American cuisine
While there aren't really any typical "American" dishes, there are certain foods that I crave, probably out of nostalgia: grilled burgers, corn on the cob, gooey brownies and watermelon, just to name a few. I also miss my mom's balanced meals (which I've picked up when I cook for myself). Here, many times I'll be presented with a smorgasbord of yellow and white food — AKA carbs, carbs and more carbs.
8. Cell phones that work even without Wi-Fi
Sure, we bought dinky little Spanish phones, but since we have to pay for every text and call we make, most of the time they just sit in our rooms. So, we use our regular phones when we have Wi-Fi. Sometimes I do a double-take when I see someone talking on the phone or texting on a bus or in the street, and wonder how their phones are working. Then I remember that normally phones are able to do that.
What I'll miss about Spain:
1. Having things done for me
Even though I said I can't wait to live on my own again, it is nice that I have breakfast, lunch and dinner cooked for me and my laundry done for me every week.
2. The weather
I escaped a terrible winter in Chicago and arrived in the mild, Andalusian winter. It's felt like spring for many weeks now here, and a nice spring only lasts for about a week or two in Chicago.
3. The food
Paella, toast with tomato spread and olive oil for breakfast, rice with milk (a dessert), chocolate pastries (0.50€!), strong coffee, tortilla española. Hopefully I can successfully replicate a lot of this at home.
4. The sights
Even though there's no grass here, there's always something beautiful to see. It may be extremely old buildings, or natural beauty. There's a running route that I take that leaves the city and offers an incredible view of all the Sierra Nevada mountains. And just yesterday I discovered a beautiful, large garden near the Alhambra (complete with peacocks!) with my art history class. Little discoveries like that so late in the game make me worry about what I won't discover about Granada before I leave! (My senõra's sister would say that's because I travel too much, which may be true, but I can't help it.)
5. Inexpensive bread and pastries
Never will I forget the bread lady and the bread man, who nourish Cegrí students with tortas de chocolate and, as I say, "el pan con aceite y pasas."
6. Courageous chicos
Unlike in the United States, where many guys walk past you as if they didn't have eyes or as if you weren't even there, guys here will use the eyes that God gave them and stare at you. I appreciate having my existence acknowledged.
And that's that. Traveling is wonderful, but home really is where the heart is.
No comments:
Post a Comment