Grocery Store with My Family

11:00pm

Buenas tardes!

Picture is of my parents and I!

This afternoon, when I was feeling better, I went to the grocery store with mis padres (my parents). We drove there. They have two cars: a small Toyota for the madre when she goes to work during the week and a slightly larger 4 seater when the family goes somewhere together. We took the bigger of the two to the grocery store.

They keep their cars in the garage under the house. It is a very skinny garage and has a width of only one car. Therefore, if you want to use the car farthest from the front, you have to move the first car out of the garage first.

When we arrived at the grocery store, we parked in a parking garage and got a grocery cart by placing one Euro in the top part of the cart when you place your hands. This unlocks the cart from the one in front of it. Your euro is returned to you when you return the cart to the correct position and reconnect it to the cart in front. A very smart idea that the US could adopt and prevent a cart from being in your desirable parking spot!

After we had our cart, we took a flat escalator into the area where the grocery store is located. I felt like I entered the Galleria or Eastdale Mall. There were shoe stores, Claire’s, restaurants, and the grocery store inside. The grocery store resembled a super Target because it had everything from carne (beef) to batteries to furniture. I enjoyed experiencing this with my family. They remind me very much of my mom as they always compare prices to buy the best deal.

I have been here almost a week now. I understand the culture very well. We always turn off lights and the computer when they are not in use. I am also beginning to learn the vosotros form (you plural form) because Spain is one of the only places that uses this form. In school we never practiced this so it has been a new experience for me.

Also, I know this sounds crazy, but I am addicted to the internet and my e-mail. It is different not being able to use the internet whenever I would like but I also think it is good for me to be more independent of technology.

Tomorrow I am going to a procession for Corpus Cristi held at the local Cathedral. I can’t wait to tell you about my experiences.

Also, check out Mom’s blog on Japan – it’s pretty awesome!