Americanisms

Monday, July 11

My trip lasts for exactly 5 weeks, or 35 days. And already, I have spent 12 days in Spain.

Where has that time gone?

The days in Madrid flew by because they seemed so transitive and temporary. I knew that I only had a couple of days there. And then the days here in Oviedo go so quickly because we do so much every day. We have 5 hours of class and then the day really gets started. Already, life here has so much routine to it that it’s weird to imagine that I don’t even have three full weeks left.

There are things I already know I’ll miss or do differently, which is weird enough in its own right.

For example, I will miss the diet coke here. It’s not called diet, it’s called Coca-cola Light. It’s a little bit less sweet than the American version, and it’s really good. Also here, the cans are only 325ml, instead of 375 in the States. It’s an odd but noticeable difference.

And then I just did another habit I’ve caught myself slipping into. Now I call America “the States.” I’ve actually always hated when people do that, but now I can’t help it. In Spanish, the U.S. is called “los estados unidos (ee. uu.)”, and since “estados” literally means states, it’s just become a habit.

At the end of a total of five weeks, who knows what else I’ll have picked up? The Spanish borrow so much from our culture, it’s the least I can do to return the favor.

Indeed they borrow a lot from us. You can watch American movies; all of the stores play American music; you can always buy things like Coke and Pringles; and, they even borrow our fast food (making sure to thank us, of course):

Oh Spain, you are so welcome.

And on Friday, I will be incredibly glad that American culture permeates Spain because I’m going to see Harry Potter! A bunch of people have tests, so we’re not going to the premier (even though I so wanted to spoiler alert all over Facebook since we’re 7 time zones ahead), but we’re going to see it Friday after classes.

That’s one of the benefits of being in Oviedo. It’s a small enough city that we were able to get tickets today, but Oviedo has 200,000 people, so it’s big enough that they still get American movies the same day they come out elsewhere.

Honestly, I could see myself living here. (My parents just rolled their eyes and the bet’s officially over on when I’d say I’m moving to Spain.) Maybe not exactly here, but I think this is a great size city for me. It’s not a New York or a Madrid or something else huge, but it’s got a lot of great people and places, there is a city atmosphere everywhere you go, and anything you need or want is within reach right here in Oviedo, whether it’s shopping or healthcare or different car dealerships or touristy things to do.

It’s just something to think about! After all, I graduate in less than a year, and I have to do something with my life!