Noah and Belén are very used to Latino culture but the move to Spain will definitely be a change for them.
The biggest change for them and probably the hardest will be the diet. They are very used to candy with chili (we shave a TON to pack in the suitcases) and tortillas and spicy food. Belén has missed her frijoles (beans) and we get to the Mexican restaurant often and she has toastadas and beans, Noah gets “American” tacos. They have missed going to the store and getting fresh, hot corn tortillas each day and they definitely miss having the taco stand just around the corner (mama and daddy do too.) Food in Spain is not spicy at all. They do not even really like pepperoni on their
pizza as it is “hot”. In Spain they eat more seafood and pork. Noah is ready to try anything, Belén not so sure. We tried to add chickpeas or garbanzo beans into her pinto beans and she picked them all out and told me, “Mommy, there is something wrong with these beans!” I will be able to make some flour tortillas and beans but the corn tortillas I am not so sure about yet. I am sure we will find new favorites in Spain!
They have both been speaking Spanish their whole lives which will make this change easier. However, Castilian Spanish (what they speak in Spain) will be very different than the Mexican Spanish. Where we will be in Southern Spain they speak with a different type of accent as well. It is much like someone from the South speaking English verses any other state. So the change in slang and some every day words will be a little bit of a challenge at first, for all of us.
We have always had the kids in Mexican school and they have always learned Mexican history. We have filled in American history when they have questions. So now they will learn ANOTHER history. They have enjoyed having three countries to cheer for with the Olympics! It will be their first year in a school that does not use a uniform and without a lunch break. Kids get out around 2:00 so they just go home for a 2 hour lunch break. For elementary school kids they do not go back to school after lunch but for older kids they then return in the afternoon for 2-3 more hours of classes.
Change is hard, but it is good.