A different kind of Culture Shock

Again, the whirlwind tour had tired me. A long tour of visiting, packing, errand-running, and high level emotions left me drained on the plane to Spain. Without energy to even be excited. Just to sleep. But after lugging my 80 pounds of luggage from train to metro to airport. Plane to airport to metro to tram to train to taxi to hotel, I must tell you that I was indeed happy to have arrived and be able to put my feet up in a 4 star hotel.

The train ride from Madrid to Granada was beautiful. Or at the least the parts I saw groggily between naps. I felt at home in the arid countryside of dry rolling hills and acre upon acre of olive orchards, sprinkled lightly with whitewashed houses with red roofs. And this was the real deal, not just the local planning ordinance of Santa Barbara Country rebuilding after a fire. These whitewashed buildings and red roof appear to have been here much longer. I also felt at home in the wide street with not a piece of trash in the gutter, surrounded by western clothing and regulated bus systems. However, there was also a part of me that was baffled. Where are the indigenous people? Where are the babies on the back of the people? What do you mean there is hot water and clean sheets? The trains run on time? We are in a Spanish speaking country aren't we? Then where are the smoggy buses that nearly run you over?

My first meal in this fascinating country was yet another moment of the LACK of culture shock. Instinctively I scanned the menu, skipping anything with vegetables or that looked 'sketchy' but on second thought I looked again. And I order the largest, freshest salad on the menu and a glass of tap water. Now thats living! But in a foriegn country? I felt almost guilty, like I was escaping from the real essence of traveling. Felt I was being shortchanged on any cultural experience.

But then I slept on it. Slept a beautiful 12 hours. And when I woke up, very well rested, and took a look the next day at the city I felt as if I was seeing it through different eyes. Yes, a big piece of me misses Latin America, but the other part sees the joyful bright clothing, the edgy haircuts and the eclectic taste of old Gothic cathedrals meeting the contemporary art deco street lamps as such a unique transcendence of culture. The city of Granada felt alive with the many mopeds, energy efficient buses, the gray-haired men in fedoras lining park benches, teenage lovers crowding up against a tree on the grass, and of course the blessed weather. Sunny and warm, with a light breeze and fresh air. There was a little voice within yelping with excitement that I could get used to this. Very used to this. It is a country that does this well. From siestas and tapas, to bohemian clothing and energy efficient vehicles: This is my kind of place!

I have meet engaged and competent people from the program. Friendly and knowledgeable about the world. All of us here on this adventure as a way of exploring our desires, passions, career goals, and futures while getting paid to live in Spain and work 12 hours a week. After a long orientation tomorrow we set off to our respective cities/pueblos to dig in! Lets cross our fingers and send out our positive energy vibes that Ronda is my kind of place too!!