7-5-07

Cuando llegue a Salamanca, era el comienzo de diversion pero tambien de algunos problemas. El primer problema es que el aeropuerto perdio mi equipaje. Este es el dia numero seis en Salamanca y solamente tengo dos cambios de ropa. Por los primeros dias solo tenia uno, hasta que compre algo mas. Mis amigos perdieron su equipaje tambien pero el de ellos se perdio solo un dias, el mio ya es una semana. Yo he tenido mucha paciencia pero ahora estoy frustrado, el problema es que yo no tengo control.

The service I have recieved at the airport is similar to what I have experienced in most restaurants. In the street people are warm and friendly. They are also always willing to help you, especially with directions. But when at work they can often be rude. My first encounter with this was at the airport with the person checking passports. He was very impatient. Then Yesterday in Carefour (the Spanish equivalent of Walmart) the service worker just brushed me off. The worst was at the train stations when they called me and my friends stupid.

This does not apply in the restaurant though, and I have had really excellent service. However, yesterday the waitress told me she was tired and she wanted to go home. Therefore, she said I better leave a tip. Then when I went home my host mother asked me not to tell her thank you. She explained that thank you was for people in the street. She said in Spain, when you serve your family, their consumption and conversation is gratitude enough. I think the Spanish have trouble taking a complement. I also think that they don´t mean to be rude, but being direct is part of their nature.