Dog poop.

Hola!

I really don't want to complain, especially since I am living EXACTLY where I have wanted to be living for a long time. And really, how can I complain when I live in this gorgeous city:

So instead of complaining, I am just going to congratulate the United States of America for doing something right. And as an American it is so easy to complain about everything that is wrong in the country, and often times we completely overlook and take for granted all the things that are right. Like the fact that Americans regularly pick up their own dogs' poop.

In fact, in some places, like New York City, it's the law. In other places, it's not the law but most people feel a moral obligation to get rid of the e. coli-carrying, rat-attracting excrement made by man's best friend. And, sure, we all have that one inconsiderate neighbor who lets their Great Dane take huge dumps in other people's yards, but sooner or later they start receiving letters from the home owner's association, or even verbal threats from the victims when they can catch the offender in the act. 

Meanwhile in Spain the idea that people should pick up after their dog does not exist. At all.

Salamanca is such a beautiful city, especially if you can get past the dog poop on every side walk. I have realized more and more that walking around town without having your eyes glued to the ground is as dangerous as playing Russian roulette. Case in point: today as I was walking home from the school with my friend and fellow teacher, Hanna, I was talking to her and not paying attention to where I was walking when she suddenly interrupted me mid-sentence to save me (literally, by a hair) from stepping into a puddle of doggie diarrhea. And in my three months of living here, this is NOT the first close call. Every time I catch myself and avoid stomping on poop, I imagine that the relief I feel is comparable to escaping a near-death experience. 

All of this is not to discount everything I do love about Spain and the culture in general. It's thebomb.com. BUT, dear friend or family member, next time that annoying neighbor lets his dog poop in your yard, just take a minute to stop and think--you could be in Spain where ALL of your neighbors let their dogs poop where they please without lookin' back. So here's a pat on the back to the good ol' U.S. of A. and, well, at least Spain has some pretty cheap and delicious wine (only 67 cents per bottle! I swear!) to make up for the mine-field of poop that is the sidewalks. 

In other news, there are only 2 days left until the school I teach at is officially on winter break! I'm pretty sure everyone in the US has already begun their Christmas holidays, so I hope you are all having a wonderful, relaxing time. I miss all of you dearly and wish I could be enjoying the break in Texas (or Florida, Colorado, etc.) with all of you! However, I am excited to experience Christmas in Spain :) Stay tuned for more updates and stories from Salamanca!!

XOXOXO