What do people in (northwestern part of ) Spain eat for lunch - hosting exchange student
Jul 5th, 2005, 07:33 AM
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What do people in (northwestern part of ) Spain eat for lunch - hosting exchange student
Will be hosting exchange student (to Boston area) for month of July (arriving today) from La Coruna area of Spain. Just learned we need to pack her a bag lunch every day. Obviously I will ask her what she wants to eat, but want to shop for a few things prior to her arrival this evening so I can send her off with something tomorrow.
Jul 5th, 2005, 09:09 AM
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Absolutely!
If I were going to be an exchange student in another country, I'd want a bag lunch like the other kids have. I'd be embarrassed to think they bought something for me like what I'd have at home. If I wanted my home lunch, I'd have stayed in my home country!
If I were going to be an exchange student in another country, I'd want a bag lunch like the other kids have. I'd be embarrassed to think they bought something for me like what I'd have at home. If I wanted my home lunch, I'd have stayed in my home country!
Jul 5th, 2005, 09:35 AM
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We, spaniards, are in general good eaters and don't complain too much 
Anyway, as Patrick said, I'm sure she will love getting to know better your culture and food is a part of it. That's why she's there !! And it's her first day, she probably notices you're not a wizard to know what she likes or dislikes in advance
Anyway, as Patrick said, I'm sure she will love getting to know better your culture and food is a part of it. That's why she's there !! And it's her first day, she probably notices you're not a wizard to know what she likes or dislikes in advance
Jul 5th, 2005, 09:59 AM
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forget the peanut butter and jelly!!
ham and cheese usually goes over well. fritos/potato chips.
they tend to like fresh fruit and yogurt.
maybe a cereal bar for snack?
fruit juice?
don't think you need to go buy manchego cheese/olives for anyone visiting.
i agree about the american food. throw in homemade cookies or a brownie and you will be her best friend! all my friends here love it when i make those and cheesecake for them.
ham and cheese usually goes over well. fritos/potato chips.
they tend to like fresh fruit and yogurt.
maybe a cereal bar for snack?
fruit juice?
don't think you need to go buy manchego cheese/olives for anyone visiting.
i agree about the american food. throw in homemade cookies or a brownie and you will be her best friend! all my friends here love it when i make those and cheesecake for them.
but I've tasted it..I have to say I don't like it very much..but if I'm hungry...I'm really hungry !!
Jul 5th, 2005, 10:15 AM
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Thanks for all the rapid replies. I guess I am on the right track as I bought some decent bread (no sense assaulting her with Wonder Bread on her first day), several cheeses, ham, turkey. I always have fruit, cookies, chips, sodas, waters - as I have teenagers of my own. Hopefully she can help pick what she likes from that and help pack her own lunch.
We had an 3 students from England stay with us several years ago and one of them was so worried about offending us that he did not tell us he was a vegetarian until several days had passed.
We had an 3 students from England stay with us several years ago and one of them was so worried about offending us that he did not tell us he was a vegetarian until several days had passed.
Jul 5th, 2005, 10:18 AM
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gail, you've reminded me of when I brought a friend home from college. He was from Hong Kong and mom fixed an odd sort of vegetarian meal our first night. She said, "isn't that where they don't eat cows because they're sacred?" Mom was a great cook, but lousy at geography.
Jul 5th, 2005, 10:58 AM
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Exchange students visit other countries to learn about life there, and therefore the food.
I recently had two (12yo) students from Sarasota to stay, and am proud to say they never went near a hamburger for the two weeks. I fed them what we normally eat at home, and they were mostly keen to try new things (although one was a bit fussy). The other took home a large jar of Marmite (which actually goes very nicely with peanut butter). They could have PB&J if they wished - both items were in the larder, the J in several flavours but they generally chose not to do so. We usually eat jam/jelly with scones and cream or on toast. They both tried crispy duck pancakes for the first time and loved them. Both loved Yorkshire pudding, with roast beef and potatoes.
So offer her familiar food, but I bet she'll want to experience the exchange in full, and will be eager to eat and try all things American!!
I recently had two (12yo) students from Sarasota to stay, and am proud to say they never went near a hamburger for the two weeks. I fed them what we normally eat at home, and they were mostly keen to try new things (although one was a bit fussy). The other took home a large jar of Marmite (which actually goes very nicely with peanut butter). They could have PB&J if they wished - both items were in the larder, the J in several flavours but they generally chose not to do so. We usually eat jam/jelly with scones and cream or on toast. They both tried crispy duck pancakes for the first time and loved them. Both loved Yorkshire pudding, with roast beef and potatoes.
So offer her familiar food, but I bet she'll want to experience the exchange in full, and will be eager to eat and try all things American!!
Jul 5th, 2005, 12:16 PM
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Although I wasn't aware that there is one "typical" peanut butter and jelly sandwich, if she likes it, then suggest she try the so-called Elvis' favroite sandwich (no joking). The recipe:
Toast some bread
Layer on peanut butter, either smooth or crunchy (but apparently Elvis liked it smooth)
Cover with grape jelly (no jam or preserves)
Cover that with SEVERAL pices of crisp, VERY crisp bacon
Top with other piece of toast.
Once you've tried it you'll never forget it, and apparently neither did Elvis.
Please don't be suprised when she asks if you can go to McDonald's either.
Toast some bread
Layer on peanut butter, either smooth or crunchy (but apparently Elvis liked it smooth)
Cover with grape jelly (no jam or preserves)
Cover that with SEVERAL pices of crisp, VERY crisp bacon
Top with other piece of toast.
Once you've tried it you'll never forget it, and apparently neither did Elvis.
Please don't be suprised when she asks if you can go to McDonald's either.
Jul 5th, 2005, 01:24 PM
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In emails she says she eats everything - but everything varies by country.
Thanks again. One of our first trips this week will be to an American supermarket - sure to be a cultural eevent.
Thanks again. One of our first trips this week will be to an American supermarket - sure to be a cultural eevent.
Jul 5th, 2005, 02:24 PM
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oh gail, the supermarket is sure to be a hit, if your guest is anything like me. I remember gawking at the entire aisle of sodas and the 200 different types of chips and 300 different kinds of cleaners. The scale of everything in america amazed me then and continues to delight me now.
Jul 5th, 2005, 02:56 PM
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just also realize that this kid probably had a cell phone before yours did.. 95% of the spanish families have every appliance americans do..
-there are HUGE hiper/super markets here ( in spain) with as many aisles of soda and cleaning products as in the USA..and with more varieties of cheeses than most americans have ever seen at once.
so.. not much shocks them anymore except the size of the majority of the cars, how much we talk on the phone, and perhaps in some places the visibility of the police force.
many of the students i send are shocked because some families actually ask them if they have television. so.. just to let you know that the culture and monuments are different, but the kids who go on these wonderful summer/year programs are fairly worldly.. or at least, quite used to almost everything..
especially tech gadgets.
-there are HUGE hiper/super markets here ( in spain) with as many aisles of soda and cleaning products as in the USA..and with more varieties of cheeses than most americans have ever seen at once.
so.. not much shocks them anymore except the size of the majority of the cars, how much we talk on the phone, and perhaps in some places the visibility of the police force.
many of the students i send are shocked because some families actually ask them if they have television. so.. just to let you know that the culture and monuments are different, but the kids who go on these wonderful summer/year programs are fairly worldly.. or at least, quite used to almost everything..
especially tech gadgets.
Jul 7th, 2005, 05:01 PM
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Just an update - traditional American lunch of sandwich on a roll - turkey, ham, cheese plus chips, piece of fruit, cookies worked just fine. Several of them are now learning to make brownies in the kitchen with our daughter.
