We have been surprised at how many people smoke in Spain. We’re so used to the lack of smoking in CA and WA, this one has been a difficult adjustment. Although smoking in restaurants and bars is prohibited, when you sit in a restaurant terrace on a nice day, you have the pleasure (not!) of sitting with the smokers.
In San Sebastian, the number of English speakers is significantly limited to staff in hotels and restaurants. Although some others speak limited English, we have been surprised by the overall lack of English. Good thing we’ve started Spanish school! (Post on our first week once we get through it.)
Eating – items you can eat at nearly every meal include bread and jamon. Seriously, the jamon is omnipresent!
Alcohol – wine and beer flow freely (no objection from us.) No one will even think twice if you order a drink at 11 a.m. or even earlier. And, the price is right – a glass of wine costs about $2. (While the pours are generally smaller than what you’d get in the US, they are more than fair for the price.) Also loving the fact that you simply order a glass of red wine and it is quite good. You don’t even need to know what you’re drinking.
You can’t get natural peanut butter. The best you can do is JIF.
As a pedestrian, if you have the right of way, the drivers will stop for you. If you don’t have the right of way – do NOT step in the street!
San Sebastian has a significant network of well-organized bike lanes. We are slowly learning not to walk in or block them.
Hasta luego,
Shana & Jeff
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