Second, there are two traditions here that show how the Spanish value their time outside of work. The first one is la siesta which translates to “the nap.” During la siesta, smaller businesses that are not restaurants or grocery stores will usually close from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and then they will reopen afterward. This allows its employees enough time to go home, rest and eat. The second tradition is that almost every store closes on Sundays so that workers can go to church and spend time with family. It shows how important Catholic religion and family time is in Spanish culture. I initially found these two traditions frustrating because I was used to stores that remained open all day, every day of the week in both Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
Lastly, there are small cultural differences here that I didn’t anticipate when moving here. First, when it comes to laundry, there is a washing machine to use, but you need to hang your clothes to dry. Second, the dumpsters are located in the front of every apartment and you have to walk your trash from your apartment to the dumpsters instead of using a trash chute. Third, plastic bags in grocery stores cost money which encourages me to be mindful of my plastic use.
After being here for a week, I am slowly adjusting to the time differences, traditions and small cultural differences, and I have learned to plan my day around them and accept them as part of the culture here.
