I’ve been here in Madrid for a month and a half now and I think that’s plenty of time to realize certain things you miss from back home. Here is my list:
1.
Chipotle. I would give anything to be able to have a carnitas bowl with some guac.
2. Punctuality. It is very well-known here that Spaniards aren’t the best at being punctual. If a Spaniard tells you that they’ll meet you at a restaurant around 2 for lunch…expect them at 3. That’s just the way things are around here. I’m very big on being punctual, so this is a bit of an adjustment for me.
3. 
Eating Times. I miss having lunch at noon and dinner around 6. This whole lunch at 2 or 3 and then dinner around 9 (and that’s early) is rough for me.
4. Stores, restaurants, and banks being open the entire working day. I can’t get use to places closing here for the siesta. And banks closing at 2:30? What is up with that? Most people work here until around 4 or 5, so when do they have time to go to the bank? Thankfully, my bank is open late on Thursdays, so I know that’s the only day I can go to the bank.
5.
American TV. I really miss watching my TV shows as they air live. I enjoy things like sitting down on Thursdays at 9 to watch the latest episode of Grey’s Anatomy. Also, it’s very easy to get spoiled here since all of my friends have seen the episode before me. I have to be super cautious while browsing facebook in the morning so I don’t get spoiled.
6. Movies. Most films here get released much later than in the US and you have to really hunt for a place that will play them in English. I can’t deal with dubbed movies. It is not the same. I’m dying to see Perks of Being a Wallflower and there isn’t even a mention of when it’s going to be released here in Spain. Just to give you an idea of how much later movies come out here: Magic Mike came out over the summer in the USA and it just came out last weekend here.
7.
American sports. I love the Yankees and I love the Steelers. Not being to watch a lot of the games/having to watch them by streaming them on my laptop is no fun. My Yankees are the in the playoffs right now and I’m generally sleeping when the games are being played 😦
8. Target and Kohl’s. Those are my two go-to stores in the US and they don’t have them here. I miss them so much…it’s really kinda pathetic. OH and I miss Bath&Body Works. I mainly miss the wall plug-ins/candles. I keep getting emails from them talking about candle sales for fall and they make me sad.
9. 
Kraft Mac and Cheese. I know that I can find it in places like Taste of America, but it’s ridiculously expensive! I miss being able to get a bulk pack at Costco for cheap. And there is no mac and cheese as good as the blue box.
10. Family (including dog) and Friends. This goes without saying. My family and friends are, by far, what I miss the most here in Spain. And the time difference can make it difficult to call/skype/facetime people. This is my current background on my laptop:
I miss my doggy 😦
Now, I will say that there are also many things that I prefer about Spain and wish we had in the US. However, that’s for a different post.
What things do you all find you miss from home while abroad?
Lady in Spain 
Oct 14, 2012 @ 20:24:10
Yes on so many of those things…especially Chipotle. I miss walking up to the shopping center in CP and going to the bank, CVS, and Chipotle (all of which are open at convenient hours, unlike anything in Spain). And I seriously miss me some Kraft white cheddar mac ‘n cheese!
-Melissa 🙂
Oct 15, 2012 @ 00:28:30
That little shopping center in CP is amazing. Plus the 711 right across from it too! I was always going to 711 to get mr.goodbars and then would cross the street to get some Starbucks during finals week.
Oct 14, 2012 @ 21:34:57
We miss you too!
Oct 14, 2012 @ 23:52:41
The biggest thing I missed when I was in Spain was CVS! I really hated I had to go to a pharmacy for medicine but then a grocery store/specialty store for anything that could be sold in CVS. Seriously, if CVS ever decided to go global, I think it would be a huge success! It is my go to store for everything. However then I discovered the chino stores/the dollar stores run by Chinese immigrants which I am sure you have already discovered. They pretty much have EVERYTHING you could ever think of.
The banks closing at 2 PM was really annoying but siesta drove me crazy. Luckily I lived in a pretty central area of Madrid and the important things tended to stay open. But the smaller stores do close and it drove me up the wall! I eventually got used to it but it took me a good 3 months to adjust.
And of course my dog. 🙂 I always asked my parents to bring me Milou when I skyped with them. Now that I’m home 24/7, we get to hang out all the time and I couldn’t be happier to have my little guy back.
Oct 15, 2012 @ 00:25:09
I haven’t needed to go to the pharmacy here other than to get my antibiotic prescription when I got sick this past week. I brought a lot of my favorite Meds from home like Mucinex, so I’ve been good on that front.
And yes, chino stores here are glorious!!!!! Everything you could need and super cheap.
Oct 15, 2012 @ 00:04:12
I’m in the airport for a flight back to Madrid and i’ve got peanut butter and maple syrup packed away!
Oct 15, 2012 @ 00:26:19
Oh. My. God. Peanut butter. I love it so much!! JIF is my BFF.
Oct 15, 2012 @ 21:46:03
I miss Target so much too! I always stock up on stuff when I go home. And the bank thing drives me crazy.
Other than family and friends, the thing I miss most is not sticking out for my appearance and getting harassed for it. It happens more frequently than I’d like because I’m clearly not Spanish.
Oct 23, 2012 @ 19:31:56
I miss Chipotle too and MEXICAN FOOD. Mexican restaurants in Spain never suffice and are certainly not the same.
Nov 12, 2012 @ 14:31:45
I really miss having a dryer. My clothes feel so stiff and not soft at all.
Nov 12, 2012 @ 17:32:21
OMG. YES. How I forgot to put clothes dryers on this list is beyond me. And sometimes, for new clothes to fit just right, you gotta shrink them a little in the dryer, ya know?
Nov 12, 2012 @ 17:35:05
Yes!!!! Or even when your clothes stretch out, you put them in a dryer to shrink them a bit.