The Culture I'd Like to Live in

I’ve never been to Spain. Yet if someone offered me a chance to live there for a year, I’d start packing my suitcases right away. Spain just seems to be the perfect place for me. It’s very different to Finland, but after living here for my whole youth, a bit of change would only do me good. And I’d have a chance to really learn Spanish, which is the most beautiful language in the world.

When someone mentions the Spanish, the first thing that comes to my mind is easy-going. According to what I’ve heard, people there are much more positive and relaxed than those here. In Finland, many people always expect the worst to happen, and even the most wonderful thing can be turned to something bad. The Spanish seem to simply go with the flow, without dreading too much. I really like that. I’m a person who lives by the rules, and maybe the Spanish people could teach me to abandon those rules for a change.

One thing I absolutely love about the Spanish is how much they love football. They don’t just like it or watch it or talk about it. They live and breathe for football, and it brings them together in a unique way. Spain is a very divided country with Catalonia and Basque Country both craving to be independent. Still people from all over the country gathered in Madrid when Spain’s national football team won the World Cup in 2010. It would be beyond marvelous to be a part of their football culture. If I could watch Real Madrid playing on Estadio Santiago Bernabéu almost every weekend, it would be a piece of heaven for me.

Oh, and then there’s the food. I love Spanish food with its spiciness and versatility. And who wouldn’t like to have a cup of coffee and some churros first thing in the morning? I also have a serious sweet tooth, and rumour has it that there are some spectacular chocolate boutiques and pastry shops in Spain.

Maybe someday I’ll get my chance of living in Spain at least for a year. I certainly hope so because it would be exhilarating to start my day with the words “Buenos días” and end it by saying “Buenas noches”.