Getting Used to Staying out Late When You’re In Spain
If your current schedule relies on coffee to function any time before 12 in the afternoon no matter what time you went to be the night before, get prepared! You’re likely in for a culture shock in Spain.
You may know that the Spanish stay up late, as in, really late, but don’t be confused. That doesn’t mean they sleep in late, too. That’s why you’re going to have a few new favorite things before you start packing up to head home after your vacation. Things like coffee and naps. Yes, naps! Spain likes to party hard into the wee hours of the first hints of that beautiful Spain sun, but they also know how to kick back and refresh a bit the next day with a much needed siesta session.
So, with that said, let’s start with our list of what’s going to help you get used to staying out late when you’re in Spain.
Stay Up Late, Get Up Early
Just because they eat dinner after 10PM and stay out late into the evening doesn’t mean the locals sleep in any longer than the rest of the world. They’ll be back up and at it bright and early in the morning preparing for work, school or anything else they need to get done that day. You’ll likely be surprised at how capable they are first thing in the morning after getting an average of six hours of sleep a night, but don’t be too fooled! There’s a lot of coffee going into those happy smiles.
But First, Coffee. (Or tea!)
We should probably point out that despite what you may be thinking right now, the Spanish are normal humans just like you and me. They aren’t magical beings that can just thrive off of so little sleep. That’s probably why you’ll find no shortage of places selling coffee at all hours of the day. If you don’t like coffee, you may want to consider relying on it at least a little bit while you’re there. If it’s an absolute no, then look for substitutes that have caffeine to get you going! Certain options may not be as healthy as others, but a pretty solid alternative could be a nice cup of tea to wake you up.
Let your Couch Be Your New Favorite Place
Another secret to their ability to keep going throughout the day is this wonderful tradition called siesta. While a lot of people recognize this as an afternoon nap, there are some things to take note of. Yes, it is a nap, but no, it isn’t a three hour long nap. It’s about 15 to 20 minutes of pure bliss between you and the inside of your eyelids as you become best friends with nothing other than your villa’s comfy couch. Nestle in with some pillows and blankets after lunchtime, set your alarm and smile knowing you’re about to get some much needed siesta time.
Eat, Sleep, Repeat.
And that’s pretty much it! If you prep for your trip to Spain having a pretty good understanding that you’ll be getting a lot less sleep than you’re used to (hey, there’s so much to see anyways, it’s completely worth it!), you’ll be set to go and enjoy your experience! Drink lots of coffee and partake in siesta every day and not only will you be well on your way to getting used to staying out late while you’re there, but you’ll also be joining in with the locals for an authentic Spain experience! But, if this just isn’t appealing to you, we get it. Thankfully, you’re on vacation. And that means if all you want to do is eat, sleep and repeat… then do it! Sleep in all you want, because after all, you deserve it.