Kilometers in My Shoes

I am back again but with a fresh set of sunburn. Today, we had a free day and spent it traveling to Sitges. It is a beach town about an hour south of Barcelona. I have to say that I am a bigger fan of Barcelona than I am of Madrid because of the water. There is nothing quite like being able to spend the day swimming in the ocean and tanning (or burning) on the sand. The societal rules, including written and unwritten, definitely start to creep out while taking public transport and being at a beach. Women being topless is definitely a difference between the United States and countries in Europe and has been evident throughout the past view days. It is also much more common to see people being affectionate in public here in Spain. These differences are a part of culture, but it has been interesting to step back and try to examine these observations through a health and well-being perspective. Having unwritten rules that allow people living here to be more of themselves and loving may be ...

We made our way to Barcelona! The train from Madrid to our new stay was peaceful and relatively quick. What I love most about Europe is the access to experience different places and cultures so easily. There are people from my hometown that consider it a road trip when going to Pittsburgh, which is an 1.5 hrs away, and may never leave our small community. Here, there are cheaper ways to travel and experience new ideas and living. This is a part of the environment in Spain that promotes a healthier lifestyle, in my opinion. In the United States, transportation can be a huge barrier to many aspects of life. This could include receiving medical treatments or just enjoying leisure activities that support a balanced life.   I have noticed a lot of differences between the cities of Madrid and Barcelona. I think they are difficult to explain without experiencing them first hand. A main idea I’ve learned on this trip overall, is the importance of having these first-hand experiences, as opp...

 Scavenger Hunt - Madrid A hidden gem: Aayusha showed me this hidden gem, a small shop that has paper to write a wish on. You can use a piece of string to hang it up anywhere in the shop or outside of it, as shown in the picture. There were so many different languages! A public sculpture: This sculpture is called "Fountain of the Fallen Angel" and is located in Retiro Park. It was eye-catching amongst the beautiful park. I found it wild to learn it is 666 km above sea-level.  A famous historical landmark: This is a view of Plaza de Cibeles including the palace and fountain. We admired this iconic part of Madrid as we took a bus outside of the city.  A scenic view: The most rewarding image, showing the summit of our hike. This structure of rocks is called Pico del Fraile and is never to be seen again by my own eyes. 

We are at the one-week mark in Madrid! When looking at the itinerary, today was probably my most anticipated day. It indeed did not disappoint. I have been looking forward to hearing a lecture on the healthcare system in Spain since we arrived. I learned bits and pieces of some of the most popular healthcare systems in my sociology class this past semester, so I was eager to learn more about Spain in a direct context. I had the perception that one of the biggest differences between the United States and Spain, in terms of healthcare, was universal healthcare. My view still stands after our lecture, but my understanding on this topic has grown throughout my experiences today.  We started by touring a private hospital that was a bus ride away from our hostel. It was very nice, featuring a main floor with areas for scans and bloodwork, several floors for various specialties, and an emergency room as well. I haven't been in a hospital in the US that is as new, so it was somewhat hard f...

On Friday, we woke up, ate breakfast, walked to the bus, and went for a fifty minute ride outside of Madrid. I anticipated another great day of walking in El Escorial, with a hike on the agenda. I think we were all surprised when we kept going after we reached the first beautiful peak that overlooked the palace made by King Philip II. It was genuinely a very tough hike, through multiple different terrains. I enjoyed having the push and definitely relied on my mental strength that comes with wrestling. We were guided by someone who takes people on hikes for a living, but I did wonder if there are variations between the United States and Spain with the intensity of physical activities. Laura, who lives here, told us about the intensity of youth soccer. This is definitely true of the US as well. I am curious of the implications that sports or outdoor activities have on health. I am also intrigued if there lies an economic inequality of these type of activities. I think in the US, those wi...

Hola! (admittingly the 1 of 2 words I know in Spanish). With about three days in Madrid, I can now confidently say "Gracias!" as well :) I am learning lots already about Spain's culture by being a full-fledged tourist with about 20 other students. We've enjoyed walking around the city, eating, drinking, and getting to know one another. I guess that is just in my opinion, but I'm sure the others will say the same. I will do my best to take you along on the journey of studying social determinants of health in Spain and share my new knowledge and thoughts. I am super excited about this 😁 (ok these emojis are kind of fun) We had a formal class for the first time today, a lecture about the Mediterranean diet. Before today's discussion, I definitely had the perspective of most Americans on this topic. I thought of this diet as the very specific foods that are being eaten, without a consideration for the other aspects of culture. What I've loved most about colle...