When a country is just round the corner, it is a lot harder to be objective in your comments and not to be guided by popular prejudices or preferences.
But I have lived a lot in company of Spanish people, and I have visited their country every time I could, so I will try to be as true as I can.
Spaniards are exotic, generous and cheerful. Men are usually very handsome. Life is lived in a careless way full of fun. An average Spanish person spends a huge part of his or her free time outdoors, at the bar terraces, having coffees or whatever and meeting friends. Nightlife is rich and extremely important. Dancing and drinking lasts till the morning (in most cases, till 8:00 – 10:00 in the morning), and dancing is as important as drinking, or even more so.
As for the pickup business, I am not quite sure what to tell you, because I tried the thing only once and ended up dating the guy. Anyway, we’ve been together for two years now and are very happy.
Like almost all people from European countries, the Spanish are not exactly one solid nation, but a group of the smaller ones.
I haven’t really met any people from the center, the actual Castilia, which gave the country its official and most widely spoken language and the most famous character of all times, Don Quijote de La Mancha.
Most people I have met are from the north: so they are Catalans, Basque or Asturian. I don’t have any close friends from Galicia, and I have never been in that part of the country. It has its own regional language, very similar to Portuguese, lots of vegetation and some excellent wine, and that’s about all I know.
Cataluña is most widely known because of its capital, Barcelona, one of the most magnificent and lovable European cities, cosmopolitan, coastal, and as someone from the Yahoo Travel expressed it, “user-friendly”. The Catalan language is somehow similar to French, that is, if you can speak both French and Spanish, with a little bit of luck you can understand whatever they say. And most everyone speaks some English.
You fall in love with the architecture at once. Go on an excursion in a tourist bus to get a general view and a first impression. The quarter I prefer is the gothic Old Town, or La Ciutat Vella, situated on both sides of the famous promenade, Las Ramblas, which starts next to the Metro Station Plaça Catalunya and takes you to the port.
If I described all the corners of Barcelona that are dear to me, it would take an hour to read it, which is far too long for what is supposed to be a short article, so maybe I’ll write about it later in the City Guide section. Just be sure not to miss the Park Güell, and some really good museums like the Picasso Museum, Joan Miró Foundation... I really like the Textile Museum too, though it isn’t that grand. Don’t forget to walk down the narrow streets of the Ciutat Vella, have a cup of coffee at the Plaça del Pí near the church Santa Maria del Mar. (By the way, careful with the coffee: it’s really strong!)
The beaches are nicer in the small towns, in Barcelona they are overcrowded and not as clean.
Catalans are more reserved than the rest of Northerners and an absolutely cold-fish type for those fond of South. The “tapas” are smaller and more expensive, and the parties, wild as they are, more moderate than everywhere else in the country. Catalans are usually very reliable and rational.
Everyone will tell you it always rains in Asturias. Do not panic, it isn’t all true, but take an extra pair of boots just in case (I didn’t, and I’m still sneezing). It’s a beautiful region with a lot of vegetation and the most dramatic scenery I’ve seen in Spain. Oviedo, the capital, is very pretty and seems very interesting culturally (but I’ve just passed through it). Gijón, a town on the coast, has good beaches, very nice views and a lot of Latin bars, out of which my favourite is the “Cubanissimo” with live Cuban music.
The Carnival in Avilés is an unforgettable experience. They say it is even better than the famous Sitges Carnival in Cataluña. Everybody is dressed up, the bars are “dressed up”, too, and for one day everything changes its look and pretends to be something or someone else.
Asturians have a touching and rare affection for their land, its nature and history. Hospitality is extraordinary and food excellent and cheap.
The Basque Country is another extraordinary place to visit, especially San Sebastian, or Donostia, as the Basques call it. I didn’t stay there for a long time enough to visit the important monuments and museums, but La Playa de la Concha is a stunningly beautiful beach and your first impression of the city is that of something really precious.
The Basque language, Euskera, is said to be similar to Georgian. I don’t speak any Georgian, but it certainly has nothing to do with Spanish or any other European language. The people have the fame of being strong and fearless, and they make good cider. The Txakoli wine is another good thing to taste. The food is abundant and delicious.
I’ll have to round up and see if you find my opinions of the North and useful, and if so, there are a lot more things to tell about. Of course I’ve been to the South as well, Granada, Cordoba and Sevilla during the famous Semana Santa (Holy Week), and I stayed in Toledo for one day. I also wanted to tell you about a lovely little town of Peñíscola in Castellón, near Valencia, as well as my adventures in Mallorca... But I’ll get to it later, if you find my writings amusing and I have time.
Visiting Spain is usually a unique experience for every type of a person, be it an admirer of art, a gourmet or a “party animal”. You should buy a book before you go and decide which part of it seems the most interesting and suits you most.
Even if you don’t, you are sure to have a good time. Sun, beaches, the Rioja wines and the excellent national cooking will speak for themselves. Have fun!
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