Everybody says that Spain’s life expectancy is higher than that of the US. The explanation is usually the food, and yes, the food is of a much higher quality. But there is another factor.
I’m walking everywhere in Spain. From the campus of the Complutense, I walked to the Almudena Cathedral. From there, I’ll walk back to Tetuán. Those who know Madrid will confirm that this is a fair amount of walking. Everywhere I go, I see elderly people walking. And I mean very elderly. Alone, in pairs, in groups. I’ve never in my life seen so many very old people walking. Many walk very slowly or use canes. But they walk outside. Fresh air, exercise, direct sunshine, new impressions. You need to stay sharp to avoid other pedestrians and traffic. This has got to have an effect on health and mental acuity.
But yes, the victuals are high quality. Here’s the traditional hake in green sauce.
The vegetable on top is some sort of squash. Low in carbs, light, delicious.
I don’t like Spanish cuisine and prefer that they serve fish that has been fussed with as little as possible.
Clarissa's Blog 
Having never been to Spain, but having been to multiple European countries, I am willing to bet that most places they go to are a mix of within walking distance (15 to 30 mins 1 way) or has a bus/metro route that will take them relatively nearby in a very short amount of time.
I can tell you right now where I live, neither is the case. It is possible, possible, to bike or walk to the office and the grocery store. However it is neither convenient nor really worth considering for a multitude of reasons. Primarily due to the local drivers, but also due to the distance. To the office for me is a min of 12 mins by car, by bike which is much, much more dangerous, it would likely take nearly an hour one way. So it is possible, but why on earth would I want to waste an extra hour and 36 minutes a day dodging the crazies, both those in vehicles and those on foot? On top of that, I live in GA, by the time I got to the office I would be covered in sweat and likely so too would be my cloths. It frankly just isn’t worth it in the end.
If our cities were set up like European ones then yes, I would love to …. well love is a bit strong, but I wouldn’t mind much taking a nearby bus/rail then walking to the office, and maybe the grocery store. …. Although probably not, I tend to do shopping for several days each time I go so I really need the trunk space. Also the odds of a bike being stolen are way higher than that of a car in my area.
I could go on, but in my experience (limited to the cities I have been in) while it is worth using the buses and rails in Europe, and then walking. In the US, it is just not.
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“worth using the buses and rails in Europe, and then walking. In the US, it is just not”
IINM mixed use neighborhoods are simply banned in many places in the US which makes decent public transport all but impossible.
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The vegetable on top is an asparagus cut in half? It is weird as we eat it differently here in Spain. I love Spanish food, but we eat a lighter version of it at home. At least you are here now that the weather is cooler, because its been quite hot all sept and half october.
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No, it’s a type of a squash, I think. At least, that’s what it tasted like.
Wow, I have people reading from everywhere, it’s so cool.
I’m loving it in Spain. I feel very safe here in Madrid. Nothing like it was in Hamburg last spring where I was cooped up in my hotel room because it was dicey outside.
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“At least, that’s what it tasted like.”
Really looks like asparagus to me to, maybe a cultivar you’re not familiar with…
I have a…. complicated relationship with Spanish food, some is great, some is not so great… (exercising heroic levels of diplomacy here….).
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I am not a fan of the cold potato-and-egg combos.
But I can see a familial resemblance in this pic between Spanish and Peruvian, and I *like* Peruvian food.
Spain just needs more lucuma 😉
-ethyl
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I’ve been reading your blog for years! I started when I lived in the US years ago(Michigan…very cold and snowy, loved it). Now back in Spain I am enjoying academia here too. I feel like I sometimes come from the future. Especially when here they throw their hands up in the air about how universities are tighter on budgets. I tell them I’ve seen it before in the US, but people don’t like to hear about it.
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That’s so great! Thank you for sticking around throughout the insanity. Really, thank you!
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I noticed that about Spain as well. Most Europeans walk a lot. But the Spanish seem to have a monopoly on older people who walk. It was nice to see.
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I’m always happy when I see the elderly doing fun things and living it up.
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I also think that people in Spain walk faster than in North America. Here, when people walk,they stroll. There is nothing wrong about strolling, I guess, but people in North America do not seem to consider their legs as an actual way to get from point A to point B efficiently.
In the Canadian Midwest (aka Southern Ontario), I can walk for an hour in a suburban setting without encountering a single soul.
I have always walked a lot so in that sense Madrid is a paradise to me. And seeing elderly people walking there is a joy. Oh, I miss Madrid.
Ol.
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