Stocking Up

Although Ruyman assures me that most products available in the US will be in Spain as well, there are still some things that I've started stocking up on in the face of undetermined famine.

1. Milk. I can't get enough of the stuff. The milk here in the states is reasonably fresh and pretty darn good. That's particularly true if you've ever had contact with shelf-stable boxed milk. It's white and semi-opaque and that's where the resemblance ends. Unfortunately, that's the stuff that's primarily available in Tenerife. I don't remember once seeing a regular jug of milk in a refrigerator section. The stuff that ALMOST tastes real costs a whopping $16 a box.

2. Books. Despite a thriving British expat community, getting your hands on English language books that don't include a half-naked somebody on the front is a real challenge on the island. Thank you, Dad, for the Kindle. Without it, my suitcase would weigh 17 times as much.

3. American music. It's true that Spain is pretty with it when it comes to American trends, especially in music. The last time I was there, my sister-in-law's Lady Gaga ringtone almost drove me crazy. That being said, there are some real gaps in what makes it across the pond. Thanks to Franco, all rock music prior to about 1980 is a void. Some notable exceptions are "La Bamba" and "Yellow Submarine" (aka "Amarillo Submarino Es") which, it seems, everybody knows. In self-defense, my iPod is loaded with Journey, Kansas, and other classics for when I feel like rocking like a gringa.

4. Chocolate chip cookies. For a people credited with "inventing" chocolate in its current, much beloved form, the Spanish have somehow missed out on chocolate chips. They don't have them. Ergo, no chocolate chip cookies.

5. Sleep. The Spanish are night owls. People don't go out for the evening until 10:30 pm or later, and they stay out until the wee hours of the morning. The work day starts a little later than the states - say 9 am - but at that point, they're up and running. Contrary to historical precedent, the Spanish don't have siestas any more because they jeopardize Spain's place in the global economy. They don't want to literally be sleeping on the job. Despite the lack of sleep, most people seem cheery and energetic.