I have been here in Barcelona for over a week, and so far I have had a wonderful time. Barcelona is a city filled with life and beautiful buildings. Everywhere you go, there is something to see, whether it is the buildings, the parks, the shops, or the museums or public buildings.
Something from this culture that has been very new and different for me is the Spanish practice of taking a siesta. A siesta, as mentioned earlier, is a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal. Restaurants and shops will close for a few hours during the afternoon so their owners can take a siesta, and then they reopen to the public. Every time I go somewhere during the afternoon, I always have check to see if the spot will be open. During the first few day, I kept forgetting about this custom and then get there and the shop would be closed.
The food in this city is delicious, and I have had fun trying new things. Barcelona is known for its tapas, which are an appetizer or snack in Spanish cuisine. Tapas are usually small portions, and people will gather to enjoy them together. It is very common to order different small dishes and share them.
