Iberian Cultural Practices

Siesta Time!

By Victoria DeLaRosa

One of the most unique cultural practices I observed during my time in Portugal and in Spain was the idea of “siestas” by definition that is, an afternoon rest or nap, especially one taken during the hottest hours of the day in a hot climate. This truly shows the perspective of the Europeans because they take time to rest, recoup, and enjoy their moments throughout the day instead of just always being on the go or stressing on the next task needed to be done. What is the most shocking to be is how siestas are possible to accomplish, even though they are known for being around 30 minutes it is hard for us in the American society to understand how there is the time to take a nap everyday or frequently when most people work midday to afternoon when this takes place. I do believe that in America we do have our own idea of this practice and we do participate in similar time spent resting throughout our days however I do feel that in Europe you see a lot of people comfortably outside, reading, resting, laying in grass. This is something I noticed in about all the cities we went to visit and I felt that it was something that could benefit anyone with a busy schedule. It makes me realize that there should be more time spent throughout our days to freeze and take a break on whatever tasks being attempted to tackle for the day. Why overwork when you can just “Siesta”!? In the photo above was a shot I got of the view when we visited Lisbon. There were people laying out in the grass and just relaxing in the sun. this is something I witnessed a lot of places during our time in both Spain and Portugal.

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Saludos y Besos

By Liz Mercado

While in Madrid, we visited La Puerta de Sol, one of the public squares in the city, filled with shopping and restaurants. While we were walking around the square, I saw a group of people meeting up. The women greeted the men and each other by kissing both cheeks as they were saying hello. I thought that this is an interesting way to greet people, or to say goodbye, and this social practice is not commonly practiced in the United States. After seeing this traditional European social practice in effect, I felt intrigued, and wanted to learn more about why kissing someone on both cheeks is a common practice in Spain, as well as in other European countries like Portugal. While reading about this tradition, I learned that on formal occasions, people greet each other by shaking hands, but kiss each other twice on the cheek during a less formal occasion. This social practice is different than the how we greet people in the US. In the United States, whenever we greet someone we know well, we usually hug them when they are arriving, and kiss them once on the cheek when they are leaving. While I was researching this social practice, I learned that women greet other women and men by kissing them on the cheek, but men shake each other’s hand, unless they are related to each other. I also learned that practice is not done every time, but rather when people are introduced to someone new, or are meeting with people that they know very well.

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This is NOT America

By Ashley Lyons

While in Seville and Madrid, you notice the different social practices everywhere. The one that stuck out to me the most were the meal times and how people act in the restaurants. If you miss the narrow eating times, you can end up eating on your own. The Spanish way of eating breakfast is completely different from what we do here in America. Here we are told to make breakfast your heaviest meal as it is brain fuel and energy for the start of your day. I’m used to eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, etc., all in one sitting. In Spain, they do a light breakfast that will start around 7 am. There’s a lot of fresh fruit, pastries, bread, and meat. Not the heavy thick cut bacon and sausage, but thinly cut salami and ham.

They eat lunch later in the day around 2-4 pm. Which is typically late in America because we’re getting ready for dinner shortly after that. Dinner tapas aren’t typically enjoyed until 9 pm, but a full sit down dinner isn’t until 10 pm. We’re told here not to eat that late, especially if you’re trying to do more of a healthy lifestyle of eating. Eating that late is almost forbidden.

The tipping etiquette also takes some getting used to. In Spain, they do not expect you to leave a tip. Spanish workers are actually given living wages and benefits that they can live off of, so the tips aren’t necessary. If you do leave a tip, they still seem to be very grateful. I agree with Spain’s way of paying their employees in this field. I never understood how in America waiters get paid way under minimum wage and have to depend on tips. A lot of people aren’t even courteous enough to leave the suggested amount, and having to live on a weekly basis not knowing what you will make is a struggle. I think Spain is on to something! People should be paid what they deserve and be able to make a career out of serving people because I feel it takes a special type of person to do so.

¡Muy Delicioso!: Exploring the Cultural Flavors of Spain and Portugal.

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 I'm Still Dreaming About the Food

By Liz Mercado

Spain was an amazing country, and had some of the most delicious foods I have ever eaten. During our first night in Seville, we ate in a restaurant called Perro Viejo, and got to try tapas, a popular Spanish tradition of sharing different dishes with groups of people.The first tapa that we were served was called Salmorejo. It's a traditional soup-like dish and is served cold during the warmer months. The dish is a type of puree, consisting of tomatoes, olive oil, salt, garlic and small pieces of bread. Our dish also included small pieces of ham. The Salmorejo was served with pieces of bread on the table, which I used to dip into the puree.I thought that this dish was delicious. It tasted mostly like garlic, but it wasn’t an overpowering- you could taste hints of tomatoes and olive oil. The small pieces of bread absorbed the garlic taste and also helped give it some texture. The Salmorejo also had a salty flavor, which worked well to balance the garlic aftertaste. Because this dish was made out of tomatoes, I wasn’t sure I’d like it, but I was pleasantly surprised when I tasted it, and I loved the dish.

Another dish I tried for the first time while I was abroad was a traditional Portuguese soup called Caldo Verde. I tried this dish while we were watching a Fado show in Portugal, in a restaurant called Timpanas. Caldo Verde is made with onions, garlic, potatoes, and either kale or collard greens. It was served in a bowl with a piece of bread and meat on the side. The soup was mildly salty and the kale added both a rich flavor and green color. I also tasted hints of garlic in the soup. This dish actually reminded me of eating miso soup. Both miso soup and Caldo Verde are made from the same basic ingredients, and the seaweed found in the miso has the same salty texture as the kale in the Caldo Verde.
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The Only Place to Get the Real and Amazing Pasteis de Nata!

By Leana Pizarro

My favorite dish of course, had to be dessert. Specifically, Pasteis de Nata. These are very popular in Portugal. You can find them at every dessert store or even at restaurants. Pasteis de Belem are known to be the best in taste and I can agree on that! They are a Portuguese custard tart made from eggs that you can add cinnamon or sugar to. (Personally, I loved it all by itself.) On the website https://pasteisdebelem.pt/en/ , it shows us a bit of history. In the 19th century, in Belem, there was a sugar cane refinery attached to a small general store. In 1820, the liberal revolution forced all convents and monasteries in Portugal to be shut down. In an attempt to survive, someone from the monasteries offered this sweet pastries, which would later be known as ‘Pastéis de Belém’. During that period, Belem was considered far from the city of Lisbon and only accessed by boats. At that time, the Torre de Belém was attracting so many visitors and those visitors began to love and enjoy these amazing pastries. Now, this pastry still has an ancient secret recipe as it was handcrafted in the “secret room”. I learned that every year Portugal has a Pasteis de Nata contest to see who has the best pastry. Pastéis de Belém never enters the contest because then it means that they must disclose their recipe. Of course their pastries are so divine and delicious that they do not dare to give out the secret recipe. I feel very honored and amazed that I was able to travel and try these amazing, one of kind Pasteis de Nata. Here in Connecticut, they have so many at bakeries which i always loved but once I tried Pastéis de Belém, it completely changed my life. I know I will miss eating it and the ones back at home will not compare!

An Art Lover's Paradise!

By: MariaJose Valdez

Madrid gave me New York City vibes, with a European spin. There was bustling traffic and hordes of people walking around. Standing in the middle of the plaza I could see tons of modern stores and buildings as well as shops we have back home such as Vans, Sephora, Bath&Body and Apple to name a few. I’m not a fan of crowded cities so I found myself overwhelmed being in the center. I liked the outskirts of the city better, where the streets were narrow and full of surprises. I had more than one memorable moment in Madrid. First was going to the museums, Prado and Reina Sofia, they were completely intriguing and incredible.

Getting lost in the Prado was the best thing that could have happened. I would stumble on huge canvases, to marble statues, and 13th century art which gave me goosebumps to be in the same room with something that has existed for centuries. I was so excited to see all these works of art that I had learned about in past semesters up close. I took my time and absorbed all this magnificent building had to offer. I was glad I visited the Prado museum first and then went to the Reina Sofia as I was able to see some of the influence of earlier work reflected in more modern artists and their work. The museums were the highlight of Madrid for me. I have checked Guernica off my bucket list. I was able to see photographs of Picasso working on this historic piece and how the inner process panned out. I also found myself getting sucked into these small rooms in the museum where short films were being projected on the wall. They were very abstract and at times made me feel uncomfortable, which was probably the point. I've never had an experience like this in a museum and I truly enjoyed it. I'm glad I used my free time to check this place out. Highly recommended!

The other one was Retiro Park. I was a bit skeptical on going on a bike tour since I had explored the city all day and was feeling tired, plus I hadn’t been on a bike in five years, but I read that this park was a must see. I sucked it up and jumped on the bike. Boy! Am I glad I changed my mind. This park was AMAZING! From the Crystal palace to the remains of the old zoo, every part was beautiful and so clean. There was romance in the air with many couples having picnics and laying underneath the trees in the park. The weather was perfect for a siesta! I loved seeing the man made pond and the people using the row boats. It was such a relaxing feeling being there. I was also surprised to see they had a statue of the fallen angel Lucifer and that it happens to be located 666 meters above sea level, coincidence?! I think NOT! I was assured by our tour guide that no satanic rituals happen in this area. When I visit Madrid again I will be sure to come back to this park for a whole day, probably rent a bike again!

La Catedral de Sevilla, A Sight to See!

Photo by Maria Jose

By Ashley Lyons

  The most fascinating moment I had in Seville was my visit to the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, also known simply as the Seville Cathedral and the Torre Giralda. It was unlike anything that I have ever seen. The Seville Cathedral is the largest Roman Catholic cathedral in the world. It has Gothic style architecture throughout the entire place to show Seville’s wealth. The Tower of Giralda has very intricate patterns as well as the cathedral done in heavy Gothic stonework. The ceilings were extremely high done in stone and bricks with stained glass windows everywhere you look. There’s a monument inside the cathedral of Christopher Columbus where his remains are at its final resting place. Men representing the four kingdoms of Spain at the time are holding up the tomb. I thought this was kind of cool visiting a piece of history of a man we’ve been learning about in history since a child. There is a main mass area that is used for special occasion made up all of silver. The main choir area holds 117 chairs and has a large pipe organ that I wish I had the chance to experience.All of the mahogany wood that was around the church came straight from Cuba that gave the cathedral a real authentic feel. There were many beautiful paintings all around the church. It almost felt like we were in a museum with all of the history around us. The cathedral is still open to the public for mass and it is in Spanish. They are free to attend, but short in time. There are three times a day for daily mass. The Giralda is the bell tower attached to the cathedral. It’s over 300 feet tall. This was a rough walk up, but a beautiful sight to see overlooking all of Seville. You can see all the beautiful terracotta roofs and rooftop pools and gardens of people’s homes. Instead of stairs, the tower is a ramp going up 36 flights. It was made as a ramp so men were able to go up with horses more quickly than walking. The pathway was so narrow you can only pass by one at a time. Going down on foot was definitely harder than going up! 

Spain is Always A Good Idea

By Leana Pizarro

Arriving in Madrid the views were also very similar to Seville and Lisbon. The streets were very busy and the buildings were also similar. When we went to La Puerta Del Sol I was amazed by all the hidden history. La Puerta Del Sol is the main square in Madrid and is very famous. I learned that the square has a semicircular shape which represents the sun setting hence the name “La Puerta Del Sol” Originally it was one site of the city’s gates. It now has many stores to shop at and restaurants to eat. On the other side you will find the clock tower. That building is known as “Real Casa de Correos”. It was built in the 18th centuries and used as a post office and is now the headquarters of the president of Madrid Autonomous Community. The clock is the famous clock where all Spaniards look to on New Years Eve just like we see the ball drop in NYC. They also have a tradition where they have 12 grapes and eat one for every chime until midnight. It is said to be bad luck if you do not eat the grapes. I thought this was so fascinating because I had the opportunity to be able to compare and see what they do on New Years versus what we do back home. La Puerta Del Sol at night also had performers dancing or roller skating and doing tricks for side jobs. I thought it was very similar to the streets of NYC and it was cool to see so many random people get together to see the show! 

My favorite part most of all was the Royal Palace that we went to. It is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family but it is only used for the ceremonies. They palace itself has over 3,000 rooms inside. I learned that the King has his own separate room for eating breakfast, lunch and dinner. He has a changing room, an office, a meeting room etc. The same goes for the family. We were not allowed to take any pictures but I was amazed at the royal bathroom made out of porcelain. It was so beautifully created. Every room ceiling, floor and even the doors were made with such detail and it blew my mind. I learned that the King and Queen do not sit at the end of the table but in the middle right under the chandelier and of course sit across from each other. We were able to see the actual throne that has been used and is still in use till this day. It is so beautiful with the red stairs and red chairs along with the lions on each side. It was so royal. Madrid was definitely one for the books and the experience was so overwhelmingly amazing overall.

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Smile, You Are in Lisbon

By Victoria DeLaRosa

From the moment we stepped into the city of Lisbon, I felt that the people and community was busy yet quiet and reserved. Most pedestrians were walking at a moderate pace, dressed well, and casually going about their day. I also noticed that there are not much wildlife around except pidgins. No squirrels, insects, etc. I found that the monuments and buildings are things that the Portuguese take pride in and in its history behind them all. I learned a lot during the tours. Learning that Portugal was the 4th most spoken language in the world and the amount of countries Portugal conquered and discovered such as Macao, Japan, South Africa, and Cape Verde. I also learned how important Sailing is for Portugal as well as codfish. Learning about the natural disaster that occurred in Lisbon in 1755, that was Portugal’s worst natural disaster to ever occur, was shocking and seeing the still - standing Church in Belém years and years later as one of the few buildings left not destroyed by the disaster.

I saw a lot of luxury stores in the city of Lisbon, with people shopping. The driving was fast pace but not anywhere near as aggressive as “New York” driving. All of the cars were small. The streets were not dirty at all. What I did not see was any corner stores like we have at our disposal in Connecticut, and there was no Dunkin’ Donuts, all family owned coffee shops. With the exception of a Starbucks, which seemed to be in a “touristy” area. You can see the difference in the small, family owned shops as opposed to a lot of the chain companies and food places we are used to at home. I saw no potholes and vibrant colored homes and the streets are so clean and the people have a clear respect for their surroundings and people around them. 

I felt safe and comfortable being that the crowds were not like the crowds we are used to having in a city area. The way the community seems to feel so natural around one other no matter what they look like is what I enjoyed best. I could not say I felt that same diversity and comfort in Switzerland’s airport, just 3 hours plane ride away, yet very different vibes from one country to another. The buildings and architecture was vibrant and showed the Muslim influence as well as Catholic influence in their buildings.

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Behind the Scenes of the Olive Trees

By Ashley Lyons

In Seville, our got to visit an olive farm that has been there for 400-500 years for an olive oil tasting and some education. The Greeks and the Phoenicians brought the olive trees to the Iberian Peninsula. Olive cultivation was expanded more by the Romans, who improved the techniques of oil production. Later, the North African people, known as Moors, continued to perfect the technique. (The importance of the Arabs is relevant because the Spanish word for oil comes from the Arabic language.) Now, after thousands of years of tradition, Spain is the major producer and exporter of olive oil in the world today.

Going to an olive oil farm was such an amazing experience. Our guide, Isaac, was so knowledgeable and passionate it reflected on the tour. The Basilippo area has the owner’s home, land, and mill all in one property. There are over 6,000 olive trees and three different varieties there. You can see them lined up for miles. They produce the best extra virgin olive oil that is used for cooking, frying, and dressing. No oil is better than extra virgin olive oil. The olive is squeezed and nothing preserved is added to it. When it is squeezed perfectly you can smell the aromas of apple and banana peels, tomatoes, and fresh scents. The olives begin to grow in May and reach their maximum size in September. Olives are only produced once a year.

Of course olive oil can be found in any grocery store, but Isaac gave us all the information we need to be an olive oil expert! Extra virgin olive oil means it’s perfect. When you’re in the store and see any information about the picking time of the olive on the bottle, that’s the one you should pick because you know it’s legit. Another sign of the better quality is when the bottle says it’s made in Spain. Virgin olive oil is the second best in quality. This means there is something slightly wrong with it with modest taste defects. The worse type of olive oil is lampante olive oil, which has serious unpleasant, sensorial defects. This happens when you wait too long to squeeze the olives, which will start to give a bad smell, or the olives are bruised and defected. This type of oil can’t be sent to the grocery stores to sell. It has to be sold to a factory that will try to clean it up. This oil is then labeled as refined lampante + virgin olive oil.

I think this was a highlight of my trip to Spain. I don’t think I would experience anything else like this tasting in the world. We tried all different types of oils, but my favorite was the Basilippo Aromas (orange and vanilla types). I tried something I’d never in my life expect to be so good. Chocolate ice cream with a pinch of sea salt that was topped with orange olive oil. What a combination! I had to buy it to bring home to do on my own. The other types of oils were Gourmet (used for salads, greens, and bread), Seleccion (used for seafood, dressing, and sauces), and Organic (used for pasta, game meat, and BBQ). I had a great time with my group learning everything you can about the olive oil process and taste!

Seville: Home of the 360° Views

By Liz Mercado

When we first arrived in Seville, I noticed that it was more crowded and had less of a coastal feel than any city we visited in Portugal. I was impressed when I saw that Seville had more shopping areas, restaurants and a busier nightlife. While Portugal was more relaxed, Seville had more sights to see, and the city came to life after dark. In Seville, I was able to see many different types of buildings, foods, and had the opportunity to experience authentic Spanish culture. The most fascinating moment of my visit to Seville was our journey to the Seville Cathedral. I loved learning about the history of religions and seeing old churches, but I have never been able to experience anything like the Seville Cathedral. Our guide, Gloria, told us that the cathedral is the third largest in the world, and was built in the Gothic architectural style. She took us into the cathedral, and I was mesmerized by the huge, vaulted ceilings, and the spectacular organs on each side of the cathedral that were made out of wood and carved with intricate designs.

Today, they are no longer owned by private families, and remain a part of the cathedral. Next, we were led into a room where there was a large, wooden, statue of Christ on the cross and explained that it was made here in Spain. Gloria talked about the importance of religion in Spain, and taught us about the parades that take place in the city every Easter during La Semana Santa, where people carry a heavy statue of Christ on their backs throughout the city. There were separate areas of the cathedral, blocked off by large, iron gates, and Gloria explained that these areas were once privately owned by wealthy families. These families would have these sections of the cathedral as their own personal place of worship and could even be buried there. After she told us about the traditions and practices of La Semana Santa, Gloria led us into a room that contained some of the treasures the cathedral owned. We saw gold goblets dating back over 500 years, gold plates, and even two crowns decorated with pearls and jewels.  They were spectacular. I loved visiting the Seville Cathedral, and my absolute favorite part was climbing the tower that contained a ramp with 34 turns, and seeing the mesmerizing 360 views of the entire city of Seville.

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Welcome to Lisboa: The Historical Capital Everyone Should See

By Liz Mercado

As soon as I arrived in the city of Lisbon, I was amazed, and was trying to take in all of the beautiful scenery. I was in awe of the tall palm trees, and all of the different types of vibrant orange, purple and pink flowers everywhere. The sky was such a beautiful color, and there were no clouds in the sky. When we took our panoramic bus tour of the city, I noticed that Lisbon is a very hilly region, and you can see all the different areas of the city. I loved how all of the houses were painted bright colors with terracotta roofs. They looked like they came straight from the Mediterranean. I also noticed that everywhere we went, the streets were paved with cobblestones. I was also surprised to see how clean the city was. In Connecticut, I’m so used to seeing the streets littered with garbage, being in such a clean city was a new experience for me.

      On the bus tours, I learned some of the history of Lisbon. Our tour guide, Nicholas, told us that in November of 1755, there was a massive earthquake that was so destructive, it made Lisbon crumble. The aftershocks were so powerful that they were felt as far away as Salamanca, where its cathedral has cracks in it.The piece of information that I found most interesting was the fact that Belem, one of the four districts of Lisbon, was founded by Miguel II after he prayed to St. Mary and told her that if Vasco da Gama was successful in his journey, he would dedicate the town to Bethlehem.

In Lisbon, I saw beautiful architecture and structures over 500 years old. I saw many marble sculptures depicting religious and historical events, and the religious sites like the old churches and cathedrals were amazing. I also saw many olive trees and train like trolleys on tracks around the town square- something that I could never have seen in Connecticut. As we were traveling into the city, I could see the statue, Christ the King, (a replica of the Christ the Redeemer statue found in Brazil). Initially, I felt overwhelmed arriving in Lisbon, due to the fact that I have never been outside of the United States before, and I know about 3 words in Portuguese. I was unsure of what to expect in Portugal, but after the gorgeous city took my breath away, I was excited to explore the city and discover what Lisbon has to offer.

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A Passionate Dance

‘Olé’

By Nelson E. Román

Photo by Mariajose Valdez

One piece of Spanish culture I wanted to explore more of was the country’s music. Music being an universal way of expression and worship that produces a feeling in all human beings, I longed to experience at Spain’s arrival,’El Flamenco.’ The special incorporation of dance moves, instrument playing and vocals, unified by a clash of cultures, a genre known as Flamenco. The style integrated into this musical euphony of Flamenco originates from the outcast populations in Spain.

Flamenco has had a long journey, one dating back to a time where Gypsies would express themselves in caves through music. The dancers of this art-form based themselves in certain traditions and spontaneity. At times, the bailador/a (dancer) will stand still to the cantor (singer), until she or he feels inspired to express his or her heart through the music.Flamenco is something that touches your soul. The music gives an exuberant manifestation, shows passion, dedication and tells a story. The vibrant music is at its best when the Flamenco guitar is played skillfully and the cantaor sings to his or her highest key. During the Flamenco show in Madrid, I was in awe when a male dancer incorporated his dance steps and synced his body in rhythm.There was also a woman dancing throughout the performance. She presented her heart’s feelings towards the music and the story that was sung. La bailadora expressed with her all an emotion, especially with her face, which resounded louder than sound. Flamenco music is an art--an artistry which during its execution, if all of the performers in the ensemble give their all to the flow of the rhythm and the melody--will impact the listener's heart and soul. At last, giving a sense of revivification to their existence.