Random Notes on Spain

> So...when we arrived in the country, being Americans, we expected (and loathed) the usual shakedown at Customs. We got off the plane, walked to the baggage area, got our backpacks and preceded to the first step of getting our passports checked and stamped. We walked through the small gate looking for the bag check area but....it was unpopulated. There were a few tables for checking bags but no one was there. Incredulously, we walked out onto the sidewalk.

> I'm here to tell you, if Spain is any indication, the Eurozone is firing on all economic cylinders. From the first bus ride in Barcelona we've seen more cranes and construction than I've seen anywhere in the States. The only difference between here and back there is all construction we see here is multi-story as opposed to huge swaths of land eaten up for single family, automobile supported homes. These folks are busy.

> Another difference I note is the staffing in the service sector. Spain is a country that does not seem to cook for itself. I can say w/o a doubt, I have never toured a country where eating out is such a popular pastime. (It makes no difference that most all the restaurants have the same dozen or so traditional dishes. These folks just love to hang out at bars and cafes and eat....and drink, of course.) The odd thing here is, almost all the places are staffed by middle-aged men. What's more, they seem to have carved out and maintained a position of respect that would be unthinkable in the US. Service is a young person's game there and looked at only as a step toward something better. Here, waiters and bartenders dress professionally, do their work with pride and age seems of no consequence. It's nice.