Flipao.

Rebeca said today that despite the fact that Granada doesn't have enough jobs, it is the perfect city. Virtually everything is within walking distance because Granada isn't too big. It's not too small either; there are plenty of new bars to discover and more than enough stores to tempt the passerby (even if that passerby only earns 700€/mo.) In the same vein, a saldo (salary) of 700€/month is more than enough to live comfortably in the city. Rent is affordable and going out for a beer (2€) with free tapas is very reasonable. Buying food at the grocery store is cheap, especially the healthier fresh foods. I'd say Rebeca's right on point.

There are, however, a few things I could really do without. While it's true that I can walk anywhere in the city center and usually opt out of taking the city bus, there are a few (four, specifically) things that I would just LOVE to be spared from for just one day on said walk:

1) Dog poop. It's everywhere. Are Spaniards above picking up their animal's feces? I mean, the animals already don't have to be on leashes, none of them are fixed, and they piss on every wall or corner they get their sites on. There's no grass, anywhere. The least you could do is pick up that shit (in the literal sense of the word). But no, they leave the pile in the middle of the sidewalk for people to step in and spread over the entire path. I would, just once, not have to inspect the ground or get random whiffs of animal feces, thank you.

2) Cigarette smoke. Just one day, please spare me second-hand smoke while I'm walking outside where I usually prefer to breathe fresh air. If I'm not smelling animal poop, I can always count on cigarette smoke. It is Spain, after all. They can ban smoking in bars, but not on the streets. Oh well.

3) Beggars. Specifically gypsy beggars. By the cathedral, outside churches, along sidewalks. Trying to shove crappy pens or sprigs of lavender in your hand so you have to pay them. Spare me. If you give me something gratis (free) and proceed to ask me for money, I'll shove it back in your face. I think just the fact that there are so many people asking for money every day (which, given the economic circumstances and the fact that Granada is a city, is understandable) has just gotten under my skin. If I'm sitting outside at a restaurant, the last thing I want to be bothered with is if I want to buy a DVD from a pile of unorganized disks. I don't want any of those watches or sunglasses, they are shit. Now please leave me alone to finish my meal.

4) Those pushy Spaniards, and the slow ones... Both just as annoying. There's only so much room on the sidewalk, and I've discovered that you really need some practice in maneuvering your way through the various obstacles- specifically, people. It's especially prudent to have these skill sets with Spaniards, because they will stand their ground. First, there's the people that walk in groups and will not move for you to pass as you approach them. Then there's the inevitable stand-off, and as the foreigner I'm used to being the one to step off the sidewalk or wait for them to pass. But as my time here is teaching me, I can just as easily stand my ground. Although I might brush a few shoulders... Why should I be the one to move? Then, there are the elderly couples or elderly women with their daughters; both arm-in-arm. While I usually find this endearing and sweet, when I'm in a rush and they won't move to let me pass that sentiment is quickly forgotten. All I'm left with is... God damn it, MOVE!

So, to sum up: I'm sure I could do without the dog poop, cigarette smoke, gypsy beggars and sidewalk etiquette that I find in Granada (and Spain in general). But, echoing the words of Rebeca; this city is perfect in so many ways and I'm pretty sure I can deal with the few annoyances that come with such an ideal setup. I think I'm getting the hang of the dog-poop-beggar-slow-people-dodging that is required on my way to work each morning.

PS- For those wondering about the title of this post, "flipao" is the Andalusian pronunciation of "flipado" that roughly translates to "crazy." My roommates use this word all the time...