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| A Woman's Directory For Travel and Life. WAVE Journey is your one stop online resource for women oriented businesses and services around the world. WAVE Journey is for every woman to enjoy. If you love to travel, cook, read or revel in outdoor activities this website is for you. If you are looking to connect with other like-minded women or if you are interested in finding businesses or services that cater to women, WAVE Journey is your number one online resource. Spain Through The Eyes of A First-Timer ~ Article by Kalie Schumacher-Smith, photos courtesy of WAVEJourney |
| WAVE Journey |
| Women's Adventures, Vacations & Experiences ~ Your Journey Starts Here! |
Throughout my nineteen young years, I’ve always loved to travel. I’ve been to the Bahamas
numerous times, for months on end, participating in every day Bahamian life. I’ve traveled to
Poland where I attended an international film festival. I’ve driven to Canada, not far from my
United States home, and watched an air show. I have flown and driven to many different
states in the U.S. including Alaska, California, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida and Maine. I
love experiencing different cultures and filling my eyes, ears, and taste buds with new and
exciting senses.
numerous times, for months on end, participating in every day Bahamian life. I’ve traveled to
Poland where I attended an international film festival. I’ve driven to Canada, not far from my
United States home, and watched an air show. I have flown and driven to many different
states in the U.S. including Alaska, California, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida and Maine. I
love experiencing different cultures and filling my eyes, ears, and taste buds with new and
exciting senses.
When my long-distance Spanish
boyfriend, Sergio, invited me to his home
in Madrid, Spain, I was excited and ready.
Unable to speak Spanish, but knowing
that my boyfriend was fluent in broken
English, I began my three month journey
in Spain.
boyfriend, Sergio, invited me to his home
in Madrid, Spain, I was excited and ready.
Unable to speak Spanish, but knowing
that my boyfriend was fluent in broken
English, I began my three month journey
in Spain.
Right from the start, I noticed some
major differences between what I was
used to in the United States and from
Sergio’s exciting country. The “kiss on
each cheek” greeting took me off guard
the first couple of times. In the United
States, a simple ‘hello’ or a firm hand
shake or hug is all that is needed when
greeting new or old friends. However,
after performing the “kiss greeting and
farewell” numerous times, I officially
decided that I would start doing that
when I arrived back in the States. Maybe
it would make Americans become more
intimate and friendly with each other.
major differences between what I was
used to in the United States and from
Sergio’s exciting country. The “kiss on
each cheek” greeting took me off guard
the first couple of times. In the United
States, a simple ‘hello’ or a firm hand
shake or hug is all that is needed when
greeting new or old friends. However,
after performing the “kiss greeting and
farewell” numerous times, I officially
decided that I would start doing that
when I arrived back in the States. Maybe
it would make Americans become more
intimate and friendly with each other.
Another thing that surprised me was the
atmosphere of the bars. In the United
States, the ashes and butts of cigarettes
go in ashtrays, garbage goes in the
garbage can, and if you order a beer,
you don’t receive the common Spanish
tapas. Here in Spain however, finished
atmosphere of the bars. In the United
States, the ashes and butts of cigarettes
go in ashtrays, garbage goes in the
garbage can, and if you order a beer,
you don’t receive the common Spanish
tapas. Here in Spain however, finished
cigarettes and all its contents, garbage, and food are tossed on the floor of the bar. When it’s
a smaller bar, shells of sunflower seeds, cigarette butts, and used napkins fill the floor,
sometimes in its entirety. After the bar is closed, everything is cleaned and the bar is ready
for the customers the next day. It’s definitely a laid-back way of doing things and something
that took my getting used to in the beginning.
a smaller bar, shells of sunflower seeds, cigarette butts, and used napkins fill the floor,
sometimes in its entirety. After the bar is closed, everything is cleaned and the bar is ready
for the customers the next day. It’s definitely a laid-back way of doing things and something
that took my getting used to in the beginning.
My twenty-six year old boyfriend does not have a driver’s license or car. Going to downtown
Madrid the first time took one bus and three stops on a subway to get there. Subways are
normal in large cities, like New York, in the United States; however, having my own car back in
the States, I had never had to go on a subway so it was quite an experience the first time.
Going underground in the subway station was very interesting. There were many different
kinds of people trying to make money. While we walked through the different concrete
hallways I saw a lady selling purses, a man playing his guitar, and another lady singing on
her home karaoke machine. Sergio told me not to stare as we walked past, but I couldn’t
help thinking how much I would like to give them some spare change.
Madrid the first time took one bus and three stops on a subway to get there. Subways are
normal in large cities, like New York, in the United States; however, having my own car back in
the States, I had never had to go on a subway so it was quite an experience the first time.
Going underground in the subway station was very interesting. There were many different
kinds of people trying to make money. While we walked through the different concrete
hallways I saw a lady selling purses, a man playing his guitar, and another lady singing on
her home karaoke machine. Sergio told me not to stare as we walked past, but I couldn’t
help thinking how much I would like to give them some spare change.
Finally getting to the “ticket” machine, we purchased two one euro tickets and walked to the
row of open entries. I observed as Sergio put his ticket in and the glass door opened letting
him through. I fed my ticket to the machine and waited for it to spit back out. I grabbed it
and collided straight into the glass door, making a bang when my body ran into it. I hadn’t
realized it was automatic and Sergio, along with the other bystanders, laughed as I stepped
back and waited for the glass door to open on its own. It did and we continued on to wait
for our specific subway, while Sergio continued to make fun of my embarrassment.
row of open entries. I observed as Sergio put his ticket in and the glass door opened letting
him through. I fed my ticket to the machine and waited for it to spit back out. I grabbed it
and collided straight into the glass door, making a bang when my body ran into it. I hadn’t
realized it was automatic and Sergio, along with the other bystanders, laughed as I stepped
back and waited for the glass door to open on its own. It did and we continued on to wait
for our specific subway, while Sergio continued to make fun of my embarrassment.