The Joy of Spain

Looking back on our study tour in Barcelona and Valencia, the amount of applicable class material is very evident. We had previously studied material on Spain that spanned from the history of the country, to the cultural variations, to the aspect of food and its importance in everyday life. If we took a minute to see the country in the perspective we took in the classroom, the lessons were all around us. One theme that specifically stuck out in my mind was that of landscapes and identity. We have learned that these two concepts are of great importance and are constantly reinforcing each other. Landscapes, in the geographical perspective, hold significant meanings involving aspects such as history and values unique to that culture. Landscapes, in this sense, shape physical customs.

After a long morning of walking around the heat of Valencia, I have to admit that I was somewhat reluctant to go explore a Spanish market. Once we walked in, however, I was pleasantly surprised. The scene of the Mercado Central seemed almost surreal, as if it was straight from a movie. Between the people buzzing all around us and the brightly colored fruits, I couldn’t believe that this was an everyday activity for the people of Valencia. There was stand after stand of apples, oranges, pears, almonds, pistachios, skinned rabbit, pig heads, and many other delicacies. We were overwhelmed at first, but then we took a deep breath and began our exploration of the market. The Mercado Central has exquisite architecture and is one of the largest markets found in Europe with 8000 square meters. This is not surprising at all after our visit, especially noticing all of the intricate tile artwork. The market was built by Soler March and Guardia Vich in 1914 and opened in 1928. The design and atmosphere of the Mercado Central makes it clear that markets, such as this one, are an important part of Spanish cultures and lifestyles. The official website http://www.mercadocentralvalencia.es/Mercado/WebMCV.nsf/principal.html includes many specific details about this market in Valencia.

Spain’s location near the Mediterranean Sea has provided many opportunities for agriculture and economical advances involving ports. During class and the study tour, we emphasized the significance that agriculture has on what types of foods that are prevalent. Irrigation and ideal growing conditions make certain fruits, such as oranges, so plentiful. Agriculture and landscape also have an influence on other aspects of customs and traditions that may seem trivial to us: the ingredients in the paella and even the time of day that Spaniards eat meals are some examples. More information on the agriculture can be found http://countrystudies.us/spain/57.htm .

We finally decided on buying almonds, oranges (of course), and dried strawberries. The man selling us his fruit and nuts spoke little English, but he was as friendly as ever. We waited until the man was finished with a previous customer. I noticed his interaction with this woman was very pleasant and sociable. It seemed as if they could have been friends already and she was making her usual rounds at the market. However, due to my limited Spanish-speaking capability, I guess I’ll never know for sure. Minutes later, we were so excited to eat a Valencian orange that we began to eat it right then and there. Obviously knowing we were tourists, the vendor watched with intrigue as we bit into his infamous Valencian orange. The fruit was gone within a matter of seconds, and our new ‘friend’ smiled with joy. He motioned for me to come over, so I curiously obeyed. He left for a second and came back with napkins for us, after our hands were covered in juicy citrus. I smiled and thanked him for his simple yet adorable gesture. Lastly, he held out his hand to take our orange peel and throw it away. This small interaction with a local vendor in the Mercado Central may seem insignificant to some people, but it was more than that. This further emphasized the pride that these people take in their culture and the manner in which they wish to reciprocate their joy onto others (even naïve tourists).

The Mercado Central demonstrates an agricultural outlet to society, as well as a way of life for people all across Spain. These vendors do not sell their meats, fruits, vegetables, and other goods solely to make a profit. These people have such a strong sense of loyalty and pride for their culture, that this way of life gives them pride each day. My experience at the Mercado Central gave me a small glimpse into the importance of one aspect of Spanish culture.

This website contains a vast amount of information on Spain, such as food, history, languages, etc. http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Spain.html