Social Identity

I see this experience very beneficial for me in many ways. I’m kind of happy I got accepted and came for this study aboard internship for this experience. Everything here is so different from what I imagined and heard about Valencia. Then again when people talk about Spain they never really said a specific place they visit but I went along with believing they was discussing about Valencia because I was coming here. Everyone back at home had me thinking it was so beautiful, exciting, amazing place to go but when I landed I got different vibe from what they was saying. Some of the places in Valencia are very beautiful but I was expecting everything to be that way. I expected five star buildings with gorgeous flowers in the front, nice historical artifacts everywhere, beautiful scene of the city in every direction, more amazing houses and less apartments. I couldn’t wait to see things like that and try to get pictures of every sight. There are some places like I expected with beautiful flowers like the sidewalk by the mall and by the Ferris wheel towards the center of the city. Also, I noticed nice buildings in other locations of Valencia but only from a metro ride and far away distance. I expected to have cheaper prices for most things but it’s the opposite. The prices for most things are higher than the US if not the same price but certain things like candy, drinks, fruits and other necessities are very cheap to get. I thought everyone would be dressed up on the streets, very kind, and talkative with foreigners. I expected everyone to speak English more than what I’ve been hearing.  Majority of the citizens I ran into speak only Castilian and hard for them to understand me when speak Spanish. They speak so fast and with a lisp which makes it much harder for me to even keep up with every word. Honestly, in the area I stay at its smells really bad because everyone walking dogs which lead to waste is excreted on the sidewalk, streets, and poles. One day Toul, Abin and I were walking to search for a restaurant to comer their delicious sustenance. As we walk down the grey brick road searching for some food, all we did was sniff and look at each other with disgusted faces. The entire search for a restaurant we smelled nothing but dog excretion from the house to restaurant and back. It’s a lot of public display of affection and sexual
exposure here as well. I caught so many people, even the same sex making out hardcore. The beach is one of the main places where sexual exposure is noticed by everyone walking around topless but I’m not complaining. Also, I saw a couple of inappropriate cards for very inappropriate things but support safe sex too. 

It’s a lot differences but it’s a lot of similarities in culture too.

But right now I’m going to talk about the attitude.

Most of the people here are very rude.

Like one time some guy ran into me and I was like “dude.”

I really thought that was real crude.

That experience happened in Valencia and back home.

It happened by all people, especially ones on the phone.

I turn around to say something but they was already gone.

So I just brushed it off and left it alone.

Everywhere I go it seems like people do that.

Back at home they even do that and get an attitude back.

Taking they anger out on me and calling me a brat.

But I only think they do that because I’m black.

Let me talk about the other side, I don’t want to be neglectful.

But there are people that are very respectful.

In Valencia we ran into people that were actually helpful.

Like the time we the tram derailed and things started to get stressful.

But a man came alone and saved our mental.

Come to think about it, it was very coincidental.

The kindness is the same in the states.

Like my old advisor at school, her name is Mrs. Spates.

Without her I wouldn’t make it through the gates.

Or like being in Spain without Ariel to translate.

She went out her way to help me out.

We had to go through things that had me beyond doubts.

From the start to finish she went all out.

The difference in the attitude kind of drives me insane.

But from my view it’s basically the same.