-What's Strange In Spain II-

I thought that after a few months I should do an update to a previous post. 

Hospitals are new and modern.

Blood tests with results are done in under a minute

Without Insurance there is a flat rate of 140€ for the hospital visit. (It may be more if you are required to stay the night... but we aren't sure)

At the hospital, the doctor stays in the office and the patients move between the waiting room, which has huge TVs, the office and treatment rooms.

Spanish are passive and informative, which may be concidered rude but it's just a cultural thing.

Even restaurants close the kitchen during siesta.

Only time we see Spanish get really loud or riled up is at festivals, weddings and while driving.

'staying on your side of the road' is subjective.

Spanish have different drivers licenses for 125cc and higher for moto-bikes. Under 125cc qualifies under a car drivers license.

They have many different types of licenses for different types of cars and trailers.

Getting a license is expensive because it includes a medical test, eye test, written test that includes the mechanics of ATVs, trucks and motos and the drivers a test is through the local driving school.

Many appointments start at least 30 minutes after the appointment time.

Dentist and doctor appointments tend to be prompt.

If above appointment is at your home, not at their office, it may be a few days later.

The animal control is local charities that work with the local/regional police.

Spain recognizes same sex marriages.

Because there are same sex marriages, the LGBT community focuses on spreading tolerance locally and internationally.

One must 'apply' to get married in Spain, it takes 30-45 days to know if it was approved.

Gibraltar's a Crown Colony and the EU/UK tax laws do not apply. Many English go there just for the cheap stuff.

Snorkeling in the Malaga area is not recommended, Nerja and Tarifa are recommended.

Internet is mainly through antennas. 10 up 5 down max.

In some of the mountian areas, electricity goes out about once a month, the electricity company will spend all day the next day fixing it.

Experience with the water company has not been the same as the electric...

In Costa Del Sol there is a love/hate relationship with expats. This may be for the whole country, but I don't know.

Taxes for entrepreneurs is paid monthly despite making an income. This leads people to have multiple jobs/ trades and and underground economy much like other countries.


The "re-zoning" and demolishing of houses in this region is becoming or already is a concern in the EU.

The bleeding heart liberal in US standards is a conservative in EU standards.

Spanish tapas ROCK! -that's not strange, but I thought I'd add it in.

When people say, "oh, it's too hot" they aren't exaggerating.

Plumbing is in the walls, which are solid plaster, not all are pressure tested before the house has completed construction.

I can still spot an American a mile away. They aren't "Strange in Spain" they are just rare.


The dust that was mentioned in the earlier post is from the query that is near by. Sometimes you can hear explosions and the wind at night will kick up the wind and blow it all around town!

Wind can be fierce and quite annoying/painful if it has sand in it.

Can anyone explain to me the cultural thing of Japanese photographing themselves at the same location? I should add that the Japanese tourists I have met, have been super friendly!