Eating Pig’s Ear, Spanish Pronunciation and Other Experiences from Spain
I have been going to high school in Spain for a month now and it already feels like normal life. Obviously different than “normal” life back in the states, but I have a routine and feel settled.
Last weekend we went to Madrid for the uncles birthday and my birthday too! We had a surprise party for the uncle at a restaurant and didn’t get home until 3:30am! At the party we all ate pig ear, and in fact it wasn’t too bad. One of the cousins explained to me that they eat every part of the pig, literally.
The next day we went to Plaza Mayor and Plaza del Sol. Spain is so beautiful. We walked all around Madrid and took the Metro, which happens to be very clean. We spent the whole weekend with all of the cousins and aunts and uncles. I love these big family get togethers!
One of the big differences I have noticed is the clothing style! Most people wear t shirts with english words (that don’t always make sense, hehe) or a nice formal shirt, a lot of the boys wear skinny jeans or jean shorts, and almost everyone wears shoes that make a statement! Shoes are the star of the show. Usually people save their nice clothes for going out on the weekends.
The other main thing I have noticed is that the spanish pronunciation is different in Extremadura than Madrid, or anywhere else in Spain. For example, they say “adio” instead of adios, and “gracia” instead of gracias. It isn’t consistent because sometimes people will pronounce the “s”.
There is also a word that is only used in my town, “hacho”, if you say it in any other town, no one understands. It means man or guy but can be used in a lot of scenarios.
Of course, Spain has its differences, it would be weird if it was the exact same as my home in the US. There are differences I probably haven’t even noticed because literally everything is different. The streets are smaller and paved differently, the houses are all connected like condos, there are LEMON trees(!!!!), it is all so different and so great. Change was hard at first, but now that I have gotten settled and am ready to be here for a change and to experience life in a new perspective, what’s not to love??
Louise Plever is 15 years old and lives in Asheville, North Carolina. Her goal during her study abroad program in Spain is “to become fluent in Spanish and make friends that will last a lifetime.” Follow Louise’s adventure in Spain on her blog post updates throughout the year.