Thanks, Michael! I have never had a crema Catalana and now want to try it so badly...I'm a big creme brulee fan and they look so similar that I think I need to do a blind taste test for science
Nice to hear another perspective on Spain from a third culture kid. I definitely wouldn't say being a tck prohibits culture shock though. Mostly likely if you move back to a place you'll experience it rather than in new ones. Go back and live in Canada after Spain and you'll probably note the difference!
Thanks for sharing this perspective, Aliyah! I am not a third culture kid, but I know I did have some culture shock when returning to the U.S. from Egypt, and I had only been there for 2 years and didn't have any prior connection to the culture. Experiences away from "home" (whatever that means to us) tend to make us see it through a different lens when we return.
Great interview! Moving from South Africa to Morocco 16 years ago came with a bit (alot!) of culture shock but it passed quickly as we adapted... now we have three grown third culture kids (living in three different countries), who probably don't notice it as much because of their upbringing and embrace wherever they are. Slow travel/ethical travel/conscious travel is definitely something we are embracing more and more. It is of course a privilege to be able to do this, but so much more enjoyable when you have time to wander in the park, enjoy a beer on a terrace and just slow down in general! And yes to the jamon!
Nice piece. But does anyone find culture shock in Western Europe? Perhaps different languages but generally too Western and culturally similar to invoke any stark contrast, especially from those elsewhere in Europe, the US, or Canada...There's plenty of culture shock to be found in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Maybe it's not only about how one travels but about the destination, too. There's a massive difference between, say, countries like Spain or Germany and Thailand or Nigeria.
Hm, interesting point—I would say anyone not from the West could definitely find culture shock in Western Europe, but it sounds like you’re making this observation specifically as it relates to Westerners, and I see what you mean about the cultural differences between us being (relatively) few. But I do think if you stay anywhere in Western Europe long enough to get to know the host culture in depth, you’re likely to find something that “shocks” you. I know I had several moments of culture shock when living in France, but they were things I wouldn’t have necessarily encountered if I had just been there as a tourist/traveler.
I love the term terrace culture, I hadn’t heard that before! It’s amazing to see how consistent observations of Spain are, it speaks to the strong cultural identity here. Great interview!
I cannot but travel slow and deep. Any other way of travelling does not feel like travelling to me. It's more like a visit. I have only experienced culture chock in a country I never expected it; Canada.
Give me some Jamon Iberico with some olives and a Manzanilla on a nice terrace any where in Spain!
I'm with you, Caty--I'm traveling right now, and I said to my husband yesterday that when we're rushing around trying to cram in so many sites/art galleries/museums etc, there comes a point where it feels like we're just staring at stuff rather than actually learning anything, lol
Great interview with Nolan, himself a great guy who introduced us to crema Catalana! And he's 100% right about Spain's wonderful terrace culture.
Thanks, Michael! I have never had a crema Catalana and now want to try it so badly...I'm a big creme brulee fan and they look so similar that I think I need to do a blind taste test for science
Thanks, Michael!
I’d like some jamón iberico now, please…
Come on over! I've always got some.
😂 🏃♀️
You and me both, Jolene!! It's magical stuff!
Nice to hear another perspective on Spain from a third culture kid. I definitely wouldn't say being a tck prohibits culture shock though. Mostly likely if you move back to a place you'll experience it rather than in new ones. Go back and live in Canada after Spain and you'll probably note the difference!
Thanks for sharing this perspective, Aliyah! I am not a third culture kid, but I know I did have some culture shock when returning to the U.S. from Egypt, and I had only been there for 2 years and didn't have any prior connection to the culture. Experiences away from "home" (whatever that means to us) tend to make us see it through a different lens when we return.
Exactly! I guess it's a reflexion of how we've grown and changed while being away.
Great interview! Moving from South Africa to Morocco 16 years ago came with a bit (alot!) of culture shock but it passed quickly as we adapted... now we have three grown third culture kids (living in three different countries), who probably don't notice it as much because of their upbringing and embrace wherever they are. Slow travel/ethical travel/conscious travel is definitely something we are embracing more and more. It is of course a privilege to be able to do this, but so much more enjoyable when you have time to wander in the park, enjoy a beer on a terrace and just slow down in general! And yes to the jamon!
😊 I'm sure living in Morocco is not without challenges, but it sounds dreamy!
Nice piece. But does anyone find culture shock in Western Europe? Perhaps different languages but generally too Western and culturally similar to invoke any stark contrast, especially from those elsewhere in Europe, the US, or Canada...There's plenty of culture shock to be found in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Maybe it's not only about how one travels but about the destination, too. There's a massive difference between, say, countries like Spain or Germany and Thailand or Nigeria.
Hm, interesting point—I would say anyone not from the West could definitely find culture shock in Western Europe, but it sounds like you’re making this observation specifically as it relates to Westerners, and I see what you mean about the cultural differences between us being (relatively) few. But I do think if you stay anywhere in Western Europe long enough to get to know the host culture in depth, you’re likely to find something that “shocks” you. I know I had several moments of culture shock when living in France, but they were things I wouldn’t have necessarily encountered if I had just been there as a tourist/traveler.
I love the term terrace culture, I hadn’t heard that before! It’s amazing to see how consistent observations of Spain are, it speaks to the strong cultural identity here. Great interview!
They have this culture in the Caribbean, too! <3
Terrace culture sounds like such a blast! Thanks for reading :)
I cannot but travel slow and deep. Any other way of travelling does not feel like travelling to me. It's more like a visit. I have only experienced culture chock in a country I never expected it; Canada.
Give me some Jamon Iberico with some olives and a Manzanilla on a nice terrace any where in Spain!
I'm with you, Caty--I'm traveling right now, and I said to my husband yesterday that when we're rushing around trying to cram in so many sites/art galleries/museums etc, there comes a point where it feels like we're just staring at stuff rather than actually learning anything, lol