I've lived in Spain for 7 years now. My daily schedule and social life are so different from what they were in the US.

"During my first few weeks as a language assistant, a Spanish teacher I worked with invited me for a drink in Cartagena's city center on a Thursday afternoon. As we walked through the marble streets, I was surprised to see the plaza filled with people. Beyond restaurants and bars being packed, the streets themselves were buzzing with couples on benches, families walking with no particular destination, and friends lingering at terrace tables."

"It felt like everyone had gathered for an event in the middle of a workday, but there wasn't one. This was just how people often spent their free time outside, together, and unhurried. Even years later, there's still so much of this local lifestyle I'm happily learning to embrace. It took me a while to get used to having more slow, meaningful meals In Spain, I've been able to slow down and enjoy good company and food."

"In the US, workday lunches are typically a quick affair. It's common for people to head out for a quick, 30-minute meal or just scarf down something simple, like a sandwich and chips, at their desk. Lunchtime in Spain is far different, and one of the first times I noticed was while I was working at an elementary school."

"From 11:30 a.m. to noon, during the kids' recess, I'd head to the staff room with my Tupperware of pasta for lunch. One day, a fellow teacher stared at me with the most confused look, then calmly asked if I was planning to eat everything I had brought. What I didn't yet know was that recess is actually a time for teachers to have a light snack, or "aperitivo.""

In 2019, moving from California to Spain changed daily routines and social habits. Early experiences in Cartagena showed plazas filled with people during a Thursday afternoon, with couples, families, and friends lingering in public spaces without a specific event. Over time, the slower pace became something to embrace, especially through meals and company. In the United States, lunch often happens quickly, such as a 30-minute break or eating at a desk. In Spain, lunchtime differs, including teacher aperitivo during recess. Teachers eat light snacks around 11:30 a.m. to noon, while a fuller lunch starts after work at 2 p.m. and can extend until 4 p.m. Adjusting to this schedule took time.

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