Top 12

Here are some things that I have noticed so far that are different here in Spain compared to the lovely midwest:

My Top Twelve Plus One (Top 12 sounds better than Top 13)

1. The smoking ban: People smoke here, everywhere, and all the time. It will be nice to be some fresh air when I get back.

2. Street signs...on every corner...in the same place: Is it so hard to ask for some uniformity? The signs on all of the little streets take forever to find. They are small and they are not in the same place at each corner. I'm pretty sure some don't even have signs. The lack of signs almost made us miss our 7 am bus to Toledo because we had missed our street and walked too far and we had to run to the bus stop. Thanks for nothing street signs.

3. Parallel and perpendicular streets: I consider myself lucky to have a pretty good sense of my cardinal directions, but when streets dive off in every direction, it definitely makes it more of a challenge to stay oriented.

4. Cold milk: Is it too much to ask for a little refrigeration?

5. Cold water: Come on Spaniards, they're called ice cubes. Enough of this luke warm business.

6. Lunch and dinner at the normal time: Two o'clock for lunch and nine o'clock for dinner just throws me all off. I am starting to get used to it though.

7. Store hours: I'm all for a siesta every now and then, but the majority of the stores are closed for the afternoon. That is the time I would love to walk around shops. I guess they're trying to save you money Dad.

8. Air conditioning: Again, it's great to save some energy, but it makes it hard to fall asleep without any air circulation. I have had to counter the heat with wearing less clothes to bed. Although, this also helps with laundry.

9. Showers-- whenver I want one: This is somewhat of a result from my #7. I know it's good to save water and all, but I don't think its a sin to want to be clean.

10. Convenient internet: I miss surfing the web in the comfort of my own home.

11. Steak: Mom, I hope you stock up on some flat irons for my return. And everything else you want to make for me.

12. Public bathrooms and waterfountains: Where are you?

13. Family: Don't get me wrong, Feli (my host) is very nice, but she had some big shoes to fill, and she doesn't quite cut it.

I hope you are all doing well and are enjoying your summer!

Hasta luego,

Melanie