Many people have the mistaken idea that the Spanish language that is used in Spain is completely different from that spoken in Latin America. They also believe that if you speak in Latin American Spanish, they won't be able to understand you in Spain. I'm not sure where people get this idea from, but it is simply not true. Some words vary region to region (especially slang or swear words) but the core Spanish language spoken in each country is still the same.

In fact, there is a very close correlation between English from the United States, England, and Australia and Spanish spoken in Spain and in Latin America. For example, if someone from England or Australia talks, I, as an American, can understand them just fine and they can understand me. Sure we have different accents, some of their swear words are different, and I may not understand many of their slang words but we can understand each other.

When people go to Spain on vacation they have to remember that Spanish food is not Taco Bell! When I first moved to Spain I didn’t know what to expect, but when I got there I was pleasantly surprised. During my time in Spain (2 ½ years) I had everything from rice, pasta, fruits, to my personal favorite, Spanish desserts.

Let me be the first to say that Spanish pastries are some of the best in the world. A typical Spanish food that an American might be familiar with is churros, originally from the Spanish highlands. In Spain they are bigger and better and should be eaten with chocolate. Churros con chocolate (churros and Spanish hot chocolate) should be eaten by dipping the churro in the chocolate. If you should finish your churro you can just sip the remaining chocolate or scoop it out with a spoon. Most cafés offer them, and they are always delicious. In several towns throughout Spain you will find churreros (churro makers), like the ice cream man, selling fresh ones on Sunday mornings.