3 Things I’ve done in Spain that Would Have me Swimming with the Fish if I’d Done them in America

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

It’s a phrase that has met common vernacular. It means that it is advisable to follow the conventions of the area in which you are residing or visiting. And, I’ll take it a step farther. When visiting other cultures you have an obligation to make an effort to embrace the language and the culture.

While hiking El Camino de Santiago we met some great people. It’s not often I’d let a complete stranger spend hours with my kids, even walk a piece of the trail, but I did here, on multiple occasions. And, we met some fantastic people as a result.

Character building

It was a character-building experience for everyone involved. Every time the girls were at their wits end it was as though we were sent angels to help.

We met a retired couple who told stories and stimulated the girls’ imagination about how hobbits wandered these roads.

Tammy and friend, from Puerto Rico, work in hotel (top left), gave us Tiger Balm. I’d never heard of it, but it helps relieve muscle and joint pain and they gave it to me when I hurt my foot. It includes natural ingredients: Camphor, Menthol, Cajuput Oil, Dementholised Mint Oil, Clove Oil, Cassia Oil, Paraffin & Petrolatum q.s.

One night we bedded down at Peter and Elena’s hostel. While dinner was cooking the girls were invited into the private quarters to play a Spanish card game with Cora, our hosts’ daughter. It’s not every day I’d let the kids go to a stranger’s house, but this seemed okay.

Angela from Australia has pet a koala, and has walked Camino many times, including the Portuguese Way. She’s an experienced backpacker and we hugged her as she left to catch the bus for the next leg of her journey.

Dorothy (top middle). She’s the grandmotherly type who just wanted our youngest to give her a kiss. When your American kid meets a Spanish speaking Grandma, who she can’t understand, she takes the candy and runs. Dorothy never got a kiss and I think, under the circumstances, this is okay.

Santa worked amazing magic on the trail, and he touches people in real life too. He is Italian and volunteers at the local hospital every Christmas Eve to brighten the spirits of children who have cancer. He scrolled through pictures on his phone showing our youngest some really sick kids (bottom right).

These are just a few of the angels we met along the trail. There are many more.

Go to a stranger’s house

It’s a daring occasion to accept food from a stranger. In the US this is highly suspect. These days hospitals offer x-rays of kids’ Halloween candy to make sure it is free of alterations. Food is a gift you don’t accept from just anyone because you don’t know what’s been done to it.

Culture in Spain is different. Our youngest was at a playground one morning when a kind man offered her a loaf of bread. We couldn’t decide if Pablo owned the restaurant and playground, or was in charge of making repairs to it, but he had three loaves of bread. When he offered our youngest a loaf of freshly made bread we accepted, somewhat reluctantly. She lived and we laugh as we tell the story.

Then we walked down the street a bit and Pablo pointed out his house and invited us inside. I still remember the look my husband and I gave each other about whether or not we should do this. I “accidentally” forgot to latch the door behind me and it swung back open.

When Pablo asked me to shut the door I complied with hesitation.

In America, I’d never go home with a complete stranger, let alone close the door behind me. It’s likely there would be an episode of axe murders.

Did he want to kill us?

No. He just wanted to extend hospitality. He enjoyed a beer with my husband. My daughter and I enjoyed a glass of water while she played musical instruments and we all had delightful conversation. We exchanged information and were invited back for a future visit. Better yet, we lived to tell about it.

Eat authentic food

The last leg of the trip was spent in what was our hosts’ home for more than 20 years. To say we connected with them doesn’t begin to describe the experience. We made life-long friends. We were invited to their home for dinner.

We ate paella, championes, and bizcocho for dessert. Only once or twice did we have to break out Google translator for help. The best conversations we’ve had are ones of complete immersion. When we are completely immersed in life and culture we learn and grow in immeasurable ways.

Meals are often served family style, meaning everyone dips their fork into the same plate, much like friends might meet for appetizers. They kept calling us family. Eating with our Spanish family was a special treat.

They never had kids, but they have seven dogs: Elvis, Rosa, Lola, Justin, Blanca, Shakira, and one whose name we can’t remember. We played with every one of them. Justin knocked our youngest into the rose bushes shortly after our arrival and played sticks with our oldest.

The big two are still puppies and don’t know their strength. They even caused our oldest to stumble.

We all left the table that night with full bellies and full hearts. Everyone felt loved. We all learned more language then we knew before we sat at the table, and experienced a bit of the others’ culture. Everyone loved on the dogs.

We are forever grateful for the time we have with family and friends. Sometimes you are born into a family and sometimes family is developed by those we do life with. We’ve made memories to last a lifetime.

If you have the opportunity to travel and meet new people I hope you enjoy the adventure. It will change your life.