Saturday, November 29, 2014

The strange things I miss about America

I'm going to start by saying, Spain is a great country to study abroad in. However, as Americans, we take for granted the influence that cultures have made on our way of life. First thought that comes to my mind: Mexican food (but there's obviously a ton more).

 So, you know how they say you only know the true value of something once it's gone? ..Or something like that? Anyway. I've noticed after 3 months of completely, and I mean completely, changing my lifestyle to the Spanish way, that I've come to miss some classic American things. Of course, the majority of  this list will most definitely be food. But, here goes nothing.

1. American pizza. As much as I like almost any kind of pizza, there's just nothing that quite compares to a deep dish pizza from Jets. The cheese here is just too darn salty. I want some greasy, warm, gooey heart-attack causing pizza, and I most definitely can't wait to eat it again.

2. Craft beers. You know, I never even really thought I liked beer that much, until I didn't have the option to have a nice craft beer once in awhile. Don't get me wrong, they have craft beers here, but they're just too darn expensive for my taste. Bartender, what do you mean you don't have Oberon? (As we know, Oberon is created by Bell's Brewery from my good ol' home state of Michigan, which is one of the best craft brew states in America).

3. Taco Bell. Yes, we as Americans might be fat, lazy and eat garbage (not all of us). But you know what? Taco Bell will always have a warm place in my heart. What am I supposed to do when I want a cheap taco around here? Even Mexican food is basically non-existent which I miss just as much as Taco Bell. As many of you might think, no, they actually do not eat tacos in Spain. The food here is more like bread, cheese, wine, tapas, paella, and a looooot of seafood. I don't know if I can ever eat seafood again after I leave here. 

4. Having a car. Don't get me wrong, public transportation is incredible here. It's not bad for basically a dollar a ride, but sometimes I just don't want to leave an hour early from my house to get somewhere on time. And if you miss the tram, you have to wait 20 minutes for the next one, which means you'll definitely be late.  

My baby, oh how I miss you so

5. Having a job. Who knew being jobless would get me so frazzled like this? No source of income equals frugal spending, which I'm not so good at. Not to mention, I just feel darn lazy. 

6. Slurpees. You never need an occasion for a Slurpee. Somehow, my day could be crap, but getting a Slurpee would just make it all better. They just don't exist here and it makes me very sad. Especially when it was 90 degrees every day, it's all that I wanted. Guess I'll have to wait to get one in the dead of winter when I return!

7. The snow. BAHAHA. Just kidding.The Mediterranean climate out here has Michigan beat any day. You'll never hear the words "I miss snow" come out of my mouth. And I mean, the beach. I can WALK to the BEACH. This beach, in fact: 


Well, there you have it. All my cravings and things that I miss the most all in one list. However, I'm not trying to paint a negative picture of Spain here. You better believe there will be a blog titled "The strange things I miss about Spain" upon my return to America!  Follow my blog to keep continue hearing about my journey in Spain and reflections afterwards. Only 24 more days here and I fly home!