I think that when you live in another country you should make an effort to learn the language of that country and try and adapt to their culture. After 5 years here I can speak basic Spanish (but no Catalan) and hope to start lessons at intermediate level in September.
But as for the culture! Leaving aside the bull fighting and the annual running of the bulls in Pamplona, I struggle with, and will never adapt to, their habit of eating so late in the evening. As far as I'm aware, in every other European country I can eat when I want to. But here, if I want typical Spanish food, I have to wait until the restaurants open for dinner - sometimes 7pm but sometimes not until 8pm. That's crazy for an old man like me who likes to be tucked up in bed before 10pm.
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That, for me, is where the dichotomy arises. On the news this week I heard that Spain has the highest unemployment rate in the EU. According to its website the restaurant Can Piñana, here in L'Ampolla where I'm overnighting for a change of scenery, was open from 0800-2359. At 6pm there were lots of foreigners sitting on the terrace drinking. But not eating. The restaurant doesn't start serving food until 8pm. Employ more chefs and waiting staff and everybody wins. Unemployment goes down and people get fed when they want rather than when they're told they can eat.
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L'Ampolla itself is a lovely, quiet, small seaside town, quite unspoilt by mass tourism. I may well come back one day.
Perhaps I should move to France? Or Italy? (now I've put in so much effort trying to learn the language?)
