The Normal I Leave Behind

As my time is winding down in Spain it is interesting to think about the things that were once new and strange to me. Many of these things are part of my day to day life now, and as I head home it’s funny to think they are my new normal that I’ll be leaving in a few weeks. Some of these things are funny and others break my heart. Some of these things are little and others are big.

•on the way to therapy there is a man who is always on crutches who has a flower shop- he sits and studies music and makes the most beautiful sounds with his guitar. I always take out my head phones to listen. I pray for his injuries and that he finds comfort in my Christ.

•You greet to kiss one another. First to the left then to the right. One day I was in the elevator with a guy my age and introduced myself. He leaned forward for a kiss. I got nervous until I realized that since we had formally met, we greet one another with a kiss. I’m used to it now.

•Small elevators-please imagine this considering the previous comment

•Smoking laws have been passed in Spain where you can no longer smoke in bars or restaurants. Before I would regularly come home reeking of smoke.

•There is a man that always begs on the street where I am. I will not give money to beggars, but I will buy food or a meal if they are hungry. I do not always do that, but I do always acknowledge them as a person and say hi. He knows I won’t give him money so he has resorted to just greeting me back every time we see one another.

•Our doorman, Gregorio, has a very strong accent and at times it is impossible to understand him. I keep a mental tally: Taryn vs. Gregorio of the times that I understand and the times I do not. I think I’m finally catching up to him.

•Seeing somewhat famous people at physical therapy (bullfighters, newscasters, actors) and having no idea who they are since I’m not Spanish.

•Bus #1 which goes right by my house is the best bus in all of Madrid. It gets me home, to therapy, and down to the city center.

•I’m pretty sure I can navigate any public transportation now… I’ve done so in at least 10 cities in the past 2 years

•When waiting at a bus stop Spaniards keep a mental note of who was there first. Then they get on the bus according to that order. They yell if you do not follow it.

•Knowing that the bakeries in Spain have desserts that look good. The taste isn’t so great.

•Spaniards wait for you to cross the street at crosswalks. If they don’t follow the rules it’s completely appropriate to throw your hands up in the air and act angry. Sometimes you don’t have to act at all. You really are mad!

•Introducing chocolate chip cookies to my therapists and them being amazed at how wonderful they are.

•Learning to make peanut butter because buying it is super expensive and I felt very accomplished in doing this.

•Finding fresh milk and swearing that I’d never go back to the boxed milk you get off the shelf. Gotta make daddy proud.

•Language blunders never cease to be the most inappropriate things you could say. I won’t go into further detail.

•Going to Pablo and Carmen’s Bible study each Friday night for the past year and being amazed at how God’s word has shaped and changed the lives of those there. He answers their prayers and they are lavished by his love despite their circumstances.

•Early mornings are non-existent in Spain. The sun comes up around 8 and goes down as late as 10 pm.

•Missing some big things back home (Darren and Jeannine’s engagement party, friends’ weddings) and realizing life goes on without you. And that’s okay because my life has gone on as well.

•Knowing that because I choose to live away my time with you all this side of heaven may be limited. But we’ll have an eternity to catch up.

•Begging God for the salvation of my friends here and for people back home.

•Cooking and baking more than I ever thought possible. And liking it.

•Eating while walking or on public transportation is not seen and is somewhat inappropriate. You should see the looks you get.

•If you have a birthday and invite everyone out to eat, it’s the birthday person’s treat to everyone else.

•Mondays are apparently the best day for washing windows. All stores have people out cleaning the store front.

•Churros con chocolate-You get a mug of thick chocolate and dip these thick donuts like pastries in it. Very Spanish.

•The button for flushing a toilet is not on the side. It is on the top.

•Spaniards are all about the lottery. A lottery ticket is a common Christmas gift among friends.

•Spaniards tell me I’m blond. And I argue regularly with people that I have brown eyes not green. This would never be a question in the States.

•You see prostitutes on the highways and there is one street in the middle of the city center where prostitutes openly line up to work. My heart breaks every time I see the emptiness in their eyes.

•Getting excited when you hear English.

•Having a local restaurant/café where everyone knows who you are.

•Light switches are different. They are flat buttons.

•Spaniards conserve energy. In the metro unless someone is on the escalator and sets off the sensors it stops running. Same thing with lights.

•Letting my clothes air dry because clothes dryers are not common.

•I have not driven in a year and a half. I hope I remember how to get gas.

•Separate checks do not exist in Europe… you are constantly owing somebody money and trying to piece together your money to pay for your meal, café, etc. It’s like a puzzle.

•I have seen this side of the world. I have found it beautiful and charming with its intricacies and secrets to unveil. Yet not even the sites I’ve seen or the places I’ve been can fill my heart and give me purpose like knowing Christ does.

So here I go home! I go home to find yet another new normal. I find that it's okay I'm having to do that.

Onward,
Taryn