Spain on the Surface

A pet owner dragging their dog while it tries to keep up with the pace
Men and women smoking, laughing, and talking on every corner
Women enjoying drinking chocolate outside a bar in the dark of morning before going to work
An old man half my height in a hat, cardigan, button up shirt, slacks, and holding a cane
A group of old ladies talking all at the same time, without even looking at each other.
A stop in the morning to get a napolitana from your favorite bakery, right on the street
A main plaza where everyone sits and enjoys the day
A calle mayor full of shops and restaurants
Festivals for everyone occasion possible
Community. Spending time in the center of the city
Young families walking at all hours of the night, in every part of town
Old couples walking hand in hand dressed to the nines
Public transportation to any place you need to go
Couples making out as if there isn't anyone around... in the middle of a crowded park
Storefronts on all sides, right against the streets
Fresh fruit
Fresh bread
Pastries that are to die for
Dog poop all over the sidewalk
Little towns, frozen in time, in the middle of nowhere... with a treasure in an ancient cathedral
Monasteries
Monks and Nuns walking through the streets of crowded Madrid
Being told exactly what each person wants from you- direct communication on all sides
Bus drivers stopping in their route to talk to the other passing busses, or flirt with the women they know
Old men calling you guapa as you walk past
Spanish Tortilla
Morcilla
Men in capris and nice shirts with cologne and gelled hair
Women wearing the highest fashion on all sides
Bocadillos
A crowded tapas bar filled with people taking their time eating as if no one was waiting
Dinner at 9:30 at night
Lunch with the family at 2:30
Siestas every day
A thunderstorm
People rushing to work in the morning and sauntering home in the afternoon
Strict time schedules according to siesta and time with the family- nothing comes before that
People always willing to help with directions
Men catcalling and gauking on the street as if they've never seen a group of American girls
Some of the best pizza you've ever had
Fanta. But 20x better than the fanta in the states.
Walking to school under the shadows of thousand year old walls and buildings
Religion integrated into the public life through history that is inescapable
Cathedrals that took hundreds of years to construct
Gothic, Roman, Romantic, Arabic, Jewish structures... and the list continues
BLUE skies, almost all the time
Wearing socks on the cold tile so you don't 'get sick'
Fried fish for dinner
Passionate discussion between perfect strangers on the streets
All roads leading to the center- the plaza mayor
Clean laundry
Walking for hours every day
Access to every part of the city by foot, bus, bike... no car necessary
Runners and bike riders
Churros con chocolate
Public love between family members, couples, friends, dogs and pet owners, acquaintances
McDonald's- nicer than you could ever imagine
No public restrooms
Metro air, and finally coming up into the beautiful world above the sea of tracks below
Super high fashion at cheap costs
Super high fashion at super high costs
Hidden tapas bars with the best food in the world
Little kids eye flirting as they hide behind their moms
Old ladies expertly catching themselves as the bus jerks them around
American music blasting out of mini cars
Children running behind friends and parents in school uniforms
Bull fights and tradition
Beauty in the arts, ancient and modern
Gummies. Everywhere. Everyone loves gummies.
Red and yellow pride.
People with mohawks and dreadlocks and chin straps and pink hair
Clubs and Discotecas
Beer on the McDonald's menu
Beer in every place, public and private
Lentil Soup by Maria :)
Aerosol deodorant
Funny Smells. It's a strange and sometimes disgusting bouquet here.
Milka chocolate. You haven't tasted chocolate till you have had this stuff.
Futbol
Empty streets and unison yelling from inside houses when Real Madrid plays
Men selling products illegally on the streets... and running with all the products in a giant bag when the police come
Chinese shops with everything under the sun
People sitting. And not doing anything. What a novel idea.
Public yellow Correos where everyone puts their mail
Giant garbage cans everywhere- emptied every night at midnight
Public mini trashcans throughout the streets
Tiled sidewalks
Cobblestone
Music in the hearts of the people
Beauty in every day and pride in their country

The gospel.

Spain on the surface... as deep as it gets. These things are what make every day Spain, every day Spain. Love it. Will never forget it. So grateful to be a part of it.