Italy-Spain (3- last!)

2) "38 minutes":

On that same flight, the pilot kept updating us on how far we were from landing, even though it is a short trip and it was a smooth relaxing flight. At one point, it seemed exaggerated since he provided with subsequent updates (we are 40 minutes away from landing, we are 35 minutes away from landing, etc); and these updates were followed by the corresponding translation into English and Italian. An Italian passenger asks one of the Spanish stewards: "How much more until we land?"

I was in disbelief. The steward answered politely: “40 minutes sir. No, actually 38 minutes and 30 seconds”. I also laughed at their light-hearted take of what would be an annoying situation for many other mortals. Above all, I admire their spirit and their take on life! What a contrast with Italians! The most ironic is that in this case, the Italian did not click that the Spaniard was teasing him...!


Some further thoughts that came to me and could not but share them with you (I promise this is it for now!):

- Maybe there is some relationship between topography and the way its inhabitants are? Those contrasts in the Neapolitan coast just match contrasts in Neapolitans lives, those dramatic yet presumptuous cliffs match Neapolitans dramatic lives and presumptuous lifestyles, those waves hitting over and over against the cliffs match the Neapolitans unrequested insistence on women, those happy vibrantly colorful Nature settings match locals vibrant way of carrying themselves and colorful style (even if dressed all in black, they make sure they will make heads turn).

- Schedules in Spain (even in Andalucia, which is considered ‘party province’/’laid-back province’ by the rest of Spain) seem more functional and balanced than in Italia. Please bear in mind that I am comparing two beach places, two vacation places, in the South of each Latin, EU country. In Italia, siesta for stores and businesses lasts 5 hours. In Spain, maximum 4 hours, but most usual 2. In Italia, the gym was open only 3 days a week and only from 7 to noon and from 5 to 10. In Spain, I had the luxury of choosing anytime I wanted to go from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 11pm! I cannot tell you the odyssey it was to find a dentist in Italy for an emergency minor accident. The worst, is that they would pick up the phone, but say that they were either in ‘siesta time’ or ‘in summer break’!
- Going grocery shopping in Spain is a pleasure, although I have to admit that I like more Italian food than Spanish cuisine, the fruits and veggies, breads, wines, dairy products in Spain are to die for. The absolute killers have been figs (both dark and white): they were like St. Dalfour marmalade in edible containers. Juicy and unbelievably sweet. I thought I had had yummy figs in Italy but Spanish ones win! And the pleasure is upgraded when you get to the cashier and you cannot believe the price: in NorthAmerica it would be pricey (qualifying as ‘gourmet’ and ‘organic’ food), and in Italia it would be simply twice the price because that’s the way it is!

- Turn on the TV in Italia: it’s all about over analyzing politics (they are always trying to see how the bring down eternal Berlusconi), gossiping about the rich and famous, and very loud shows with doubtful content but tons of plunging decolages and excessive female skin. On the way to the airport, the largest add on the highway is a photo of a female butt in a g-string just advertising that is an available space for advertising. In the narrow highway, the oversized add is impossible to not see. Turn on the TV in Spain: you have unbelievably witty shows, some of them with a touch of sophisticated humour, all of them are thought provoking and maybe even steal out some laughter from you. This is not at the cost of aesthetics: guys are very good looking and women are gorgeous, but they do not need to tap on any ‘meat market’ strategy to get audience. Even reality shows seem to be value-adding or difference-making in Spain, like a version I caught once of a modern and multiple ‘my fair lady’. Not to tell you about Spanish commercials: they make you laugh with intelligent humour, and they achieve the marketing goal by excellence: you remember the ad and the advertised product.