60 days of wisdom

While trying to avoid the time and energy that is required of what we call "finals" at the end of each quarter, I realized that today marks the 60th day I have spent in Spain.

Sixty days is a long time. Some people train for half-marathons in that time, some people do cool social experiments like The Naked Face Project. I prefer the let's-do-fun-and-crazy-things-in-Europe type of learning, after all, how often will I get this chance? Here is a brief list of some of the wisdom I have gained while abroad:

• January & February are the months for "rebajas," aka really amazing shopping deals
• Not being afraid to barter in Spanish will generally get you better service at clubs
• Chocolate & churros taste better after a night out dancing 
• Throw that day-planner out the window (figuratively, or I guess literally if you want) because really, there is no use for it here
• Siesta time is real. Take advantage of it. 
• Eating at an Asian food buffet with your friends will inevitably get you judgmental stares from all the Spaniards around you
• Brie cheese is fantastic. Ham is pretty tasty too. Brie + ham in a bocadillo = baaadddd choice
• Boys (and men) will try to make out with you on the dance floor 2.7 seconds after you start dancing. Do so at your own discretion. 
• People don't wear gym clothes in public for any reason. (Not sure how that works for people who actually go to the gym- I have seen a handful of men in gym clothes and only 1 woman, who I am sure was American anyway)
• American carry-on luggage is NOT the same (size) as European carry-on luggage

I had tons of good tidbits of wisdom to share but somehow only managed to come up with these mostly-interesting ones as I sat down to write. 

Also! Spotted this weekend on one of my walks through the city: 

Holla California!!