Sunday, lazy Sunday

Hola!

So, as today is Sunday, I have to confess that writing this blog post is the most productive thing I’ve done today. I was just discussing with some friends last night how glorious Sundays are here in Spain because one can feel absolutely justified in doing absolutely NOTHING all day long. The reason: NOTHING is open on Sundays. The grocery stores are closed, banks, clothing stores, everything. So instead of being frustrated at the fact that I can get nothing accomplished on Sundays, I am learning to embrace this day as a day to be as lazy as I want, and enjoy drinking my coffee and reading and sleeping to my heart’s desire.

The business hours in Spain are pretty conducive to laziness in general, and not just on Sundays. In case you weren’t aware, the normal business hours during the week are 10am to 2pm and then 5pm to 9 or 10pm. From 2pm to 5pm is siesta time where everyone goes home to have lunch with their families and take a bit of a nap. Literally EVERYTHING is closed. So if I need to buy food or run any errands, I need to make sure they are done by 2pm or else I have to wait until after 5. I have to admit, this can sometimes be a bit frustrating when I have classes until 2:30pm and have to wait until after siesta to buy whatever groceries or run whatever errands I was hoping to do for the day. But at the same time, it forces me to slow down a little and take a break during the day, enjoy life a little, let’s say.

I also find the Spaniards’ idea of a 24-hour convenience store to be quite hilarious. There is one right down the street from me, and they are open during siesta, so if I am in dire need of something I can run down to the 24-hour store and buy whatever it is that I need (but for a slightly elevated price). They aren’t, however, open 24 hours. They are closed by midnight and don’t re-open until 7 or 8 in the morning. They are allowed to call themselves a 24-hour store because of their extended business hours, and because they are open during siesta.

Basically, the Spaniards are not exactly keen on working. This, while admittedly frustrating at times, which I realize is because I am used to the convenience of the American lifestyle, living here in this culture is forcing me to be flexible, and also to slow down and learn to enjoy life in a way that Americans cant really do without feeling seven different kinds of guilty. This is not to say that American business hours or outlook on life is necessarily better or worse than the Spanish way, but while I am here I am going to embrace it and enjoy it.

Well, I am off to make lessons plans for the week and to make my Sunday somewhat productive. How American of me. Have a wonderful Sunday friends and fam! Will update again soon (tomorrow?)!

XOXOXO