Outdoor Socializing and Eating

 Since most Spaniards live in small apartments, everybody socializes outdoors. Teenagers often get together in the city center, La Plaza Mayor and hang out, with nothing to fear, since Spain is a very safe country. In the picture at left, the entire city of Salamanca, a famous college town, was celebrating just after Spain won the World Cup Championship Soccer Game, for the 3rd time in a row.

 Another favorite past-time is eating outdoors, right in the middle of the street. They are shut down to car traffic every evening for long, casual meals and plenty of drinks. It is not uncommon to see entire families, including small children, eating dinner at midnight.  

Below I am sipping a sangria in one of Antonio Gaudi's Famous Parks in Madrid, La Guell. He is a world famous architect. Note the mosaic tiled bench. If you'd rather socialize with friends, you can walk the many paths, like this vine covered tunnel or play futbol in the open area below right.

So what would your favorite type of socializing be in Spain and why? Post below.

Bullfighting - A Favorite Natonal Past-time

La Fiesta de los Toros

 

Bullfighting is very popular in Spain. Teenagers often accompany their family and friends to these exciting and frightful events where man versus animal are in a fight to the death! Here we are creating a story that tells what is happening at our imaginary bullfight. While listening to this song, read the previous posts and then add your version of what happens net with your new post. 

Night Life All Night Long - Under 21 Too!

This is why the Spaniards still take an afternoon siesta! 
Leaving for a club at 1:30 a.m. and coming home at 5:00 is simply the norm, for all ages. Everything is shifted so late because of Spain's meal times,. With a huge lunch in the late afternoon and a light dinner at 10 or 11, nobody is ready to go out until around midnight. Click on the link below to compare: What is a bodega vs. a cerverceria? What kind of music is played at the disocobares in Madrid?  Don't forget to say goodbye to America's drinking age of 21. But with this increased freedom comes increased control.  Spanish partiers know how to pace themselves so that they can stay awake until the Madrid metro system starts running at 6:00 am. Post your favorite aspects after you've read the following:

Click here to read more on: The night life in Madrid vs. Barcelona

Shopping

But what if there are no malls?  

Here's a picture of a large shopping mall in Barcelona. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. Since the weather is always great, there is no need for outdoor walls. However, big malls like this are not common. Click below to see where the typical Spanish teenager goes shopping. In this country, separate street side stores are much more common. See if you can tell which store sells what.

Click here to see the many types of stores in Spanish cities and play the matching game

So do you prefer the American Malls or Shopping in Door to Door on the city streets of Spain? Post why you have a preference.

Sexy, Fast Dancing

Los discotecos are full of teenagers who often dance similar to US teens. They are also experts at La Salsa, a latino dance that came from Afro-Cuban styles in the 1920s. Everybody,  young and old,  does this face paced, sexy partners dance until the wee hours of dawn. Check out this video. Is it better than Dancing with the Stars? Do you think you could learn this? Would you want to?

It is also important to how different modern day dancing is to the more traditional styles that are a big part of Spanish culture and history. Check out this world famous  Flamenco Dance. The Gypsies, originally from India, migrated to Spain in the 1400s, through North Africa. It is still very popular today. Professional shows are performed almost daily in every city. What type of story is being told though the lyrics and dance?  How is the first half different than the second half? Post your opinions then bring to class tomorrow a 50 word essay in Spanish describing 3 facts you researched about the history of the gypsies or the modern day gypsy. Where do they live? What do they do?