Living the Spanish food-filled life

I think I’ll stay in Salamanca forever, where it’s abnormal to NOT go out until the sun comes up and where I most certainly will NOT go to jail for 90 days/get fined $500 for “making an unreasonably loud noise between 10 PM and 7 AM.”

That being said, I do have to say that D.C. is not the only city with interesting schedules. I guess what has caught my attention the most in Salamanca, aside from the food, is simply the way of life in Spain. People wake up reasonably early, but when they arrive at work, they are allowed, by law, half an hour to grab breakfast. Not a bad start to the day, huh? Then, around 11:30 in morning everyone has the “right” to an “almuerzo,” which usually consists of a coffee and pastry or sandwich. Around 2 in the afternoon, absolutely everything closes down because it is lunch as well as “siesta” (nap) time. I don’t understand why this lovely three hour break has not been introduced in the States yet, it is absolutely fabulous and by all means embraced by the foreigners who come. In fact, there are businesses that simply close at 2, so many do not ever come back from these delightful naps! Around 6 P.M. people take yet another “merienda,” or snack break, as dinner is not until about 10 at night. You would think with five meals a day people would be rolling rather than strolling around Salamanca, but as it turns out, the amount of walking makes up for it all (as does the amount of dancing at night!)

In terms of the food itself, I have to say it has been quite the adventure to go out for “pinchos”. Those with weak bellies, hold tight! I have tried absolutely everything from pig snout, feet, tail, ear, and tongue to veal stomach! If you must see to believe, I will attempt to attach a picture below of the pig feet that my host mom home-cooked! And I have to say, they are absolutely delicious! Must taste to believe! The best part is, when you get a “pincho,” you get a free “caña,” or beer, as well! Like I said before, life here’s not too shabby!