¡Qué vergüenza, americanos!

Usually, I don't like to make blanket statements about Americans abroad. The stereotypes are that we are ignorant, narrow-minded, and boorish. While these things can certainly be true, I think that Americans generally travel pretty well and have respect for the cultures they are experiencing. Today, however, I was legitimately embarrassed to be American for the first time since arriving in Spain.

I took a trip with about 40 other SU students to El Escorial, a huge and breathtaking palace and monastery in a quaint, eponymous town about an hour outside Madrid. We got into the monastery and it was pretty clear right from the start that security was an issue there. We had to scan our bags and go through a metal detector, and I was told to go back and put my backpack away halfway through the tour because I didn't notice their passive-aggressive "please deposit in locker" sticker they put on it during security. There were guards in every single room, and I didn't get a very friendly vibe from them or anyone else there. But whatever—security guards aren't paid to be congenial.

El Escorial is a really important historical site, housing one of the most important and impressive libraries of original texts in the world, as well as having been the home—and now the resting place—of a dozen Spanish kings and queens. There is a lot of valuable artwork and intricate gilding and carving done there. For that reason, they have a rule that you cannot take photos anywhere inside the complex. It says this plain and clear in the front of every room: a camera with a big X over it. (Not even "no flash"; no pictures.) Of course, however, as Mr McGuigan predicted so many years ago, many of my American classmates could not help themselves. They snapped away, trying to be sneaky while all the while being seen and caught by the guards. In continually taking pictures in forbidden areas, these kids drew the ire of not only the guards, but also our tour guide (a professor at our school), the considerate kids on the tour, and even other random tourists who would loudly complain about (all of) us and alert security when someone was shooting a photo.

And it really didn't get any better as the tour went on—if anything, some of the kids taking pictures only got more indignant and angry that people were trying to stop them. Granted, other guests running around and telling on them is a bit prude, but you can't blame these concerned citizens, either. They respect the rules and respect the history and expect everyone to do the same. Most of the kids in our tour—the larger group with the tour conducted in Spanish as opposed to English—spoke no Spanish, and thus they paid little to no attention, preferring to goof around or loudly talk in English. The place was VERY crowded and made me a bit claustrophobic—the added effect of a handful of obnoxious, loud Americans didn't help.

I was extremely embarrassed to be part of that group. At risk of sounding pretentious, I know that I am a good traveler. I attempt to embrace the culture of the place where I am. I speak the language here in Spain. I am quiet, courteous almost to a fault, and I respect the terms and conditions of whatever location I am entering. Thus, I hated being lumped together with the handful of kids in our group whose behavior makes everyone—every member of our group, every American, and every tourist—look bad.

In better news, as we were leaving Escorial, there was a HAIL STORM! It rained, finally! One of the professors told us that this means fall is finally here, and we can expect more comfortable weather. (Indeed, the temperatures are dropping to the mid-20's this week, and I got to wear my new jacket for the first time tonight cause it was a little breezy and chilly!) Laurel and I spent tonight grabbing a glass of cider and sangria in La Latina and making a late Metro home—it was a fun night and something I could stand to do more of. I'm very excited because Kelly's coming to Madrid from Rome this coming weekend to visit. I can't wait to show her around the city and show off my Spanish-speaking skills to her—especially because one night she's here is the main night of the Noche en Blanco, which is full of free shows, concerts, and museums!

Having a great time in Spain. I'm going to buy post cards soon, so keep an eye out...