possibility of going to Madrid in 2009
Shanda
I trust this finds you well.
There is a possibility--a good one if I can find all the money--of
me going to Madrid for five weeks int he summer of 2009 with a group
of people fromt eh university I attend.
We will live with a host family for those five weeks and take two
meals a day with them, the other we will find on our own.
Let me start with a brief introduction. I am twenty--I will be
almost twenty-two by the time I travel to Spain, totally blind, and
avhe a guide dog. I am a Spanish, psychology and history major,
though am having to start all over in the Spanish only because since I
have the blindness I never learned how to properly write it in high
school.
Okay now that that is out of the way, let's get to the fun stuff.
<smile>
Though I've researched this a lot, I want input from others if at
all possible. <smile> I do not wish to stand out as a tourist
anymore than I'm already going to in Spain--shoot, if I'm going to
speak Spanish ETC while there, I might as well dress appropriately
too. What is considered appropriate and fashionable in Madrid for an
almost twenty-two-year-old woman? Apparently a lot of Spanish women
wear high heels--I would prefer not to do this--is it possible to wear
some other kind of shoe and still be fashionable and not stand out so
much?
How do the Spaniards handle blindness? Fine, I'm sure, but it never
hurts to ask. I know, too, that there is no problem with guide dogs
being in public places, which is wonderful news!
What things should I be aware of when going to Spain for the first
time?
Instead of pestering with a lot of questions in the beginning, I'll
send this e mail and see where things go. Any kind of information
anyone wants to share would be welcomed.
Thanks so much,
Adios,
Shanda
Roger Warwick
First of all, please don't worry about standing out as a tourist,
because the Spanish are used to seeing tourists and foreigners of all
kinds in Madrid.
Whatever you do to blend in, just the fact that you may not be rushing
along purposefully to catch the next bus or Metro or whatever will
probably make you stand out. It's more in the mannerisms than the
dress code.
That said, certainly high heels are not necessary, unless you're
dressing up for an evening meal or to go out for a drink when yes,
they are more common than not. Otherwise, just wear whatever is
comfortable for you, both in terms of footwear and other clothes.
Globalisation means that whatever is fashionable where you live is
very likely to be fashionable in Spain as well.
Over the last 10 years Madrid has become incredibly cosmopolitan with
a huge immigrant population of South Americans, North Africans,
Chinese and Eastern Europeans. You may not think so, but it is quite
easy for a Spaniard to distinguish most South Americans, so the
"Madrileños" are more than used to seeing different nationalities out
on the streets.
Guide dogs are not that common in Madrid - it is more common to see
visually impaired people using the typical white stick. So just the
fact that you have a guide dog will make you stand out for most
people. Even ONCE, Spain's national organisation for the blind, has a
person using a stick as its logo.
If you're going to be travelling on public transport (Metro, bus) make
sure your valuables are safe from potential pick-pockets. In fact this
is true not just when on public transport, especially in major tourist
areas.
I hope to have answered some of your questions. Feel free to send more.
Roger.
Shanda Adkins
You answered my questions indeed.
I did not know that the guide dog would make me stand out so much. Ahh
well. <smile> I used a cane for a long time, but...
I have read that is looked down upon if Americans--and presumably
others--wear shorts in Madrid? Is this incorrect then?
Is vosotros still very commonly used?
Thanks so much, and I'm sure more questions will come, <smile>
Shanda
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7:18 AM
Roger Warwick
> others--wear shorts in Madrid? Is this incorrect then?
I don't think "looked down upon" is really the right expression.
Certainly it used to be unusual in the city centre to see people
wearing shorts, but the influx of South Americans and other
nationalities in the last few years has made this much more common.
Bear in mind that most Spanish people in the city centre during the
week are going to be workers, so anybody wearing shorts is likely to
be seen as a tourist.
> Is vosotros still very commonly used?
Absolutely. Especially amongst young people, "tú" in the singular and
"vosotros" in the plural are a must. The polite forms ("usted" in the
singular and "ustedes" in the plural) should only be used in formal
situations and for older people (and I mean much older, like
pensioners).
Roger.
Shanda Adkins
Hope this finds you well.
Roger, you are correct I'm sure that "looked down upon" is probably
incorrect usage, but you got the jist in any case. <smile>
I'm so glad my high school Spanish teacher taught us vosotros, it will
come in handy after all. <grin>
Well as more questions come, I will write.
Gracias,
Mac
I'm fascinated that you expect to be taking your guide dog to Spain
with you. How will this be arranged? Are guide dogs allowed on
planes?
Best wishes
grimgaunt
He was a puppy though
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Shanda Adkins
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