Bull fights…flamenco dancers…soccer (a.k.a. futbol)…siestas…sangria… paella…sandy beaches…windmills…cathedrals. Here is a quick game for you: first, can you picture all of these things clearly? Now think hard. What country do you associate these things with? If you guessed Spain, ding ding ding - you win! To the foreigner, these are some basic things that typically characterize Spain and its culture. But from my point of view, after studying here in the wonderful little pueblo of Alcala de Henares, located just outside Madrid, for nearly two months in the latter half of the year of the millennium, Spain encompasses a vast range of dimensions that few outsiders have yet discovered. Most likely, if you have visited Spain in the past, you probably spent a week absorbing the tranquil atmosphere of one of the post card-perfect beaches along the Mediterranean coast. However, because Spain is such an extremely diverse country in every way imaginable, - politically, historically, geographically, ethnically, culturally, linguistically - it is virtually impossible to learn everything there is to know about the Spanish culture from one region, let alone one town.
So how does one learn the enigmatic facets of the culture of the second largest country in Western Europe, with a population of nearly 40 million? Travel. Explore every corner of the country - from the virtual "fence" formed by the snowcapped Pyrenees in the northeast, dividing Spain from the rest of Europe; to the lush, green woodlands of the region called Galicia above Portugal; to the arid, vast area of the meseta, the table-like plateau, in the center of the country; to the sun-drenched, tropical climate of the Andalucian region in the south. And try questioning a fraction of those 40 million inhabitants (if you feel comfortable speaking Spanish, since mainly large cities and highly frequented tourist spots are the only places you're likely to find fluent English speakers), and ask them about their culture or history - they will most likely give you an honest answer, and you may even have to politely excuse yourself as the conversation progresses into its second hour.
As V.S. Pritchett once wrote, the Spanish people "have preserved personality." Through my wide-ranging experiences here in the mysteriously captivating land of Espana, I can easily agree with this quote, as the Spanish people seem to have a unique way of expressing moods and enjoying life. Their greetings seem more personal and intimate, as they are accompanied with a kiss to both cheeks. Furthermore, the youthful population bursts with an energy that could easily power all of New York City during a blackout. A large percentage of their personality, I have learned, is deeply rooted in their respective historical backgrounds. The family unit is still of primary importance in the average Spaniard's life, as has been for centuries. One would only assume this to be true also in a country where the Catholic religion has been a dominating and controlling influence for more than 500 years.
Ironically, the most defining moments in Spain's history have all been plagued by fallacies. The Romans discovered the coast of the region of what is today Galicia, and labeled the furthest spot finis terrae, believing they had found "the end of the world." The Moors, who ruled the country for over 700 years after their invasion in 711, and contributed so much to its culture and overall character, believed that they had conquered an island. Then, with Catholic Monarchs', Queen Isabelle and King Ferdinand's, defeat of the last Moorish stronghold, Granada, in 1492, the regional, societal and religious identities of the Spanish people transformed drastically and eternally. And, of course, in that same year, Columbus "discovered" the Americas, believing that he had found a short route to India.
Catholicism has ebbed and flowed as a pervading dominant institution throughout the country ever since the defeat of the Moors, with its last thrust in the recent dictatorship under Francisco Franco. However, because Spaniards were so harshly suppressed during this time period between 1939 and 1975, people led liberal religious movements, in which they were granted religious freedom, with the return of democracy in 1977. This suppression also strengthened the request of various autonomies, like the Basque country and Catalonia, to be awarded their independence, in the face of Franco's declaration that their respective languages were illegal.
As you can see, the land of bull fights and flamenco dancers is really much more complex than its stereotypes suggest. It is sometimes difficult for an outsider to grasp Spain's everyday customs and deep-rooted traditions, as it was for me when I first arrived. This, however, is the very essence of the mysteriousness of Spanish culture - the appeal of a challenge, ultimately rewarded with the understanding of a culture so significantly different from your own. As I have already, I encourage you to visit as many areas of Spain as you can - I recommend the bustling port town of Barcelona, the green, flourishing region of Galicia, the warm, tropical area of Andalucia with its orange trees and jasmine perfuming the air, and the quaint cities of Toledo and Cuenca as the first entries on your travel agenda. Even though traveling throughout these different regions is sometimes difficult because the languages often change with the landscape, and dining sometimes requires an adventurous appetite with things like "pulpo" and "calamares" on every menu (they're safe, I promise), you will ultimately be rewarded with the satisfaction of having learned a great deal about a unique culture so markedly distinct from our own.