El Ocio

I really do love this city and even though I am getting more accustomed to Salamanca everything still seems so intriguing. There is a store for everything, and while I admit I do miss Target, I love that there are fruit stores, vegetable stores, perfume stores, paper stores, chocolate stores, coffee stores, pastry stores…really I promise there are stores for anything and everything you could think of.  I know it may seem inconvenient to stop at 5 different stores (especially when I know how easy it is to just run to Target at home), but no one here seems to mind. There is one "super market" in Salamanca and it is not popular at all. Marianna says it is easier to stop at the different stores and pick up a few things everyday rather than wait all week to just go to the super market, where she likes to remind me "it is more expensive too!"

My friend Luisa and I sat at a roundabout close to our house today for almost 3 hours, literally just sitting. It is so fun to watch everyone…people seem so content here, no one ever seems rushed. Life is tranquil. They definitely don't take life too seriously or care to work long hours but they are by no means lazy or unmotivated.  They understand the importance of "el ocio" or leisure, something many Spaniards will say Americans cannot truly understand in such a fast-paced world. Everything closes for siesta (2pm-4pm) everyday and everything is closed Sunday so people can relax and enjoy their families. While sometimes I hate that I can't run errands during these times, I have realized how wonderful it is to do nothing and enjoy the company of those around me. I wonder what it would be like in the United States if we had the opportunity to do nothing and truly appreciate leisure like they do in Spain. The people in Salamanca seem to truly understand how to enjoy life and don't seem to have the stress or worry that many of us have in America. There isn't much pressure to get straight A's (in fact just passing is considering a great achievement), work extra hours to earn more money, get a promotion, etc. they are content with doing the best they can but still allowing themselves to indulge in "el ocio" for at least a few hours everyday.

While I know I will return home and greatly appreciate the convenience of American life, I am fully enjoying the "inconveniences" of going to 3 different stores to run errands and being forced to do nothing if even just for a few hours every single day. I hope you all take some time to truly appreciate "el ocio", the company of those around you, and the pleasure of doing absolutely nothing.