We have learned that there are several imaginary diving lines in Europe, such as the division between North and South along with the East and the West. While studying in Paris, I have had the opportunity to travel to two major Southern European countries: Italy and Spain. In January, I spent a weekend in Tuscany visiting Pisa and Florence. At the end of this week, I have just returned after spending six days in Spain (Barcelona, Granada, and Madrid).
I had heard that Spain and Italy are very alike; I was finally able to witness this. Other than the Mediterranean-inspired terrain, the people are similar. Each person I met was nicer than the last: they were open, kind, helpful, and overly-apologetic when they were unable to assist us (one Pisa restaurant owner put the Canadians to shame). I have not had much time to travel throughout Northern Europe, only having been to Paris and Lyon, but the French tend to be much more standoffish and cold. This is not to say that they have not been welcoming, but there was a noticeable difference between the cheery demeanors of the Spanish and those of the French.
Despite these cultural differences, I have noticed strong nationalism in all of these nations. The French culture seems to embody nationalism, they are proud to be French and will defend it no matter the circumstance; they are French and proud. I witnessed a comparative example of this in Barcelona: I saw more Catalonia independence flags than I could have ever expected to see. I understood their was a strong independence movement in the region, but was unaware of its traction. As European nations lean more nationalistic, I am intrigued to see what will happen to regions such as Catalonia in Spain.
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