Making new habits

One of the things I love about being able to put yourself in a new place is creating new habits. On my way to school, there is a spot called Casa Pasteles where I sit at the barre each day and mostly have an Americano and media tostada with tomato and salt. Not only is it VERY reasonable but a feel a little bit like I am able to be part of the daily life here.

It is not lost on me that I order an Americano while most Spaniards have it straight up as expresso. Maybe this is more the way of life here.

Another example of this is that when you order they say “Dime” or tell me in English. This might seem direct, I think this is more how it is here, direct but once they know you, they bring you what they already know you want.

LEARNING NOTES I almost, yes almost used subjunctive when asking someone about something. A friend and I went to a tablao in a cave yesterday to watch an American friend dance. It was such a change from the big tablaos with pictures of their family on the wall and their kid taking a photo of us after. While it felt like a maintenance of a traditional art form, I see everywhere in this popular vacation spot, a disappearance of a way of life. People living here can’t afford to do so. I’m glad I am here but always hoping that I am not part of the  problem.