No matter how long I live here in Madrid, it is still hard to get used to the fact that 80% of the busunesses close down for the month of August. Well, this year as per usual I am left without my favorite pastry shop, LA MALLORQUINA in the PUERTA DEL SOL. It is closed for vacation until August 31st. Aaaaaaaaarrrrggggghhhh, where ever will I get my amazing PALMERA DE CHOCOLATE?
Although I am sorry about your pastry problems, I just think it is wonderful to know that there is somewhere that values time away from earning a 'living'. The thought of having a month every year where you can relax with your family and enjoy life is such an alien idea to our culture that I had a co-worker ask me 'what could they do with all that time?' as if work were the only worthy thing to spend time on!! Yikes! My coworkers raised a 'semi-fuss' when a year ago I announced I was taking 3 weeks of vacation this year to go to Spain!! The US really needs to learn something from the Spainish people!
Posts: 232 | Location: Seattle, WA, USA | Registered: 03 June 2001
Very poignant Toni, I agree with you 200% (if possible). This was one of the reasons for my making a lifestyle change and moving to Madrid from NY. Amongst other things I was more than a bit tired of being a "walking work zombie" and I was a teacher and had loads of time off, I can't imagine what the average carreer person does.
Even now, my friends back home get 2 weeks off/year and some only get 1, ouch .
The "pregunta" ("question") of the moment: How can one relax and recuperate from 51 weeks of work in only 7 days!
- rent or buy a cell phone from me for your stay in spain, more info at 
- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at 
