Why yes, that is a washing machine in the kitchen.

I think learning about the subtle differences in the way life is led in foreign places is one of the joys of the traveling. Here are just a few I noticed today… 

• There is actually a washing machine in the kitchen (though currently broken… I expect a post about “how I lugged my laundry to the laundromat” in the near future.) 
• Special K not only includes strawberries but other ‘red fruits’ cherries and raspberries.
• Spaniards definitely weigh less than Americans. I think I’ve seen maybe 10 overweight people. It maybe be because this is a walking city. 
• On that note, walking cities are way more interesting than other cities. The Metro is super easy to use (and exiting too!) Plus, you never know what you are going see when you finally pop back into the daylight. Today it was beautiful old buildings in the city center. 
• Tapas - little plates - are what everyone eats for their late dinner. Tonight we accidentally stumbled a famous place “Cien Montaditos” and everything was one euro, a wednesday special! 
• On a more somber note, where we ate was surrounded by prostitutes, clearly soliciting and being solicited by men. It wasn’t a bad area either, just busy. I did some research and found that prostitution was decriminalized in 1995, but pimping is illegal. Most are trafficked into the country. It was sad to see. You can read about it here.

PS: I’m struggling to get photos to upload right now, but I hope my words can paint the picture!