Print this PostI’ve noticed something since returning to Spain a couple of weeks ago: everyone is gone. What do I mean by that? It’s simple, really: August is “vacation” month in Spain and lots (and I do mean lots) of Spaniards go to the beach, the “pueblo,” or another country during this month.
Now, it’s not at all a bad thing that Spaniards leave in August, but I kind of wish they didn’t have to close down entire stores for the duration of their absence. It’s a little inconvenient to walk down the street to your favorite bakery and find a sign on the door that says that they have closed up shop for the whole month of August due to vacations. Of course, I guess everyone — even the baker — needs to get away and relax a little, right? Speaking of relaxation for the baker, I wonder how the owners of little “mom and pop” stores in the USA go on vacation? You never see shops closed there.
Here’s a little something fun for this August “vacation” post. How about if everybody who reads this writes a comment about their most recent and/or most memorable trip? I’d be interested in hearing about the great places that you’ve visited and the corners of the world that you’ve found yourself in. Leave me a message below.
Hasta luego,
–Chris
http://abroadinspain.com
I took a trip once to the south of Spain, the beach, and really enjoyed it. It was in August and I didn’t notice what you talk about with things being closed, of course there I guess things probably don’t close in August since it’s the tourist month.
@Sarah – You’re right, in the south of Spain less shops close because August is the month that all people go there for vacation… so they have to stay open. Thanks for your comment!
Seville has been something of a ghost town in August…except for language students and tourists. There’s a similar exodus in France. When we lived in Toulouse, even the post office closed.
It’s the sort of thing that makes me think that this way of life must be better for the soul and for countries in the long run…until it interferes with something I want to do ;0)
@Abi – I agree… I start to think “this lifestyle is great” and then I realize that the exact shop I need is closed for the next three weeks and I get a little upset. haha
Even my BANK closed this August. They kept the cash machione going, thank goodness.
@Michael – Even your BANK???? That’s amazing. haha If that happened in the USA, there would be a civilian uprising.
Wow, I never noticed that in Spain. But I think thats because of the tourist regions are a bit different to other regions.
I knew that the dutch are traveling quite a lot during summer and that most of them leave the netherlands.