Friday, September 4, 2009

Cultural Pre-port: Cadiz

The two nights prior to each port the entire shipboard community is encouraged to squeeze into the Union and have a crash course on the culture of the country/port city we will soon experience first had. I’ll do my best to share some of the highlights of each pre-port.

Cadiz, Spain
- Even vegetarians should try the ham.
- If you meet someone you are interested in, don’t try to shake his or her hand, do the double kiss.
- If you want to look like a tourist, wear white socks with sandals.
One of our students from Spain shared this valuable piece of info - In Spain you go stay out until 5:00, 6:00, even 7:00 in the morning, drink to have fun, don’t drink to get drunk, you won’t last.

One of the professors from Spain, Agustin and his American wife Tammy did a great activity of Spain vs. US stereotypes. Where he encouraged the students to shout out different stereotypes they have heard of Spain, he and his wife could address them and then he would share a stereotype of Americans from the Spain perspective. A few of the best were that all young US men wear baseball caps and adult men where cowboy hats. Another was that the most important thing in the US is football and beer (many of our students seemed to agree with this by the applause he received). On the flip side, our students said in regards to Spain, ‘they have crazy hairstyles’ Agustin said ‘yes, you’ll see a lot of mullets, I don’t get it.’ Then the best laugh of the night was when a student said “All the men from Spain are really attractive” and I’m sure winning big points, Tammy quickly grabbed the microphone from Agustin’s hand and said “Yes, yes they are”

1 comment:

  1. Sounds like you're having a blast! Enjoying reading your posts. Are you going to BCN? It might be too late, but if you go, don't miss La Sagrada Familia. (and thanks for the pics!)

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