While I was wandering about one day, I decided that I could tell people ("You´ve got to tell them! Soylent Green is people!") the things I learned about Spain while I was there so that they can learn from errors I may have made.

First, and most important: don´t tip. If you´re getting counter service, you don´t tip, anyway. If you´re eating out on the patio or you´re at a sit-down restaurant, the tip is included. Prices for the patio are approximately ten percent more expensive than prices inside (that´s how the tip is included), and at a sit-down restaurant, gratuity is included (sometimes they´ll mention that on the menu).

Second, if you enjoy shopping, come here during the months of July and August. That´s when there are huge rebajas (sales) at all the clothing, shoe, and accesory stores. And the prices keep going down until the end of August; essentially, they have to get rid of all of their summer stuff. And since you´re not a Spanish citizen, you´re entitled to a refund on tax if you buy goods in excess of €90 at any one store at any one time. There´s a form to fill out and you´ll have to save your receipts, but if you buy a lot, it´s a good way to save enough money for a pizza or two back home.

Third, you´re leaving America behind. If you want Bud Light, it´s expensive. If you want Coca-Cola, it´s expensive. Try the Spanish food and beverages. They´re cheaper, and if you wanted Coca-Cola, why did you travel across the Atlantic Ocean when you could have stayed at home? Don´t think that "Spanish" means "Mexican." They´re very different. There´s nothing spicy within fifty kilometers of this country´s borders. Most of the food here is familiar: tortilla española is an omelet of sorts made with potatoes and onions. They eat a lot of root vegetables (verduras) here, like potatoes and carrots.

This is all I can think of in terms of travel guide right now. But don´t worry, there will be much more later.