25 Capítulo 3: ¡A descubrir! La siesta

¡A descubrir!

Actividad 1. ¡A leer!: La siesta

Instructions: Read the text and then think about the meals and the schedule that you have during your daily routine. Would you be able to do a Spanish eating schedule? Explain why or why not.

La siesta

When you ask some people what they know about Spanish culture, most say “siesta.” La siesta is a Spanish staple that many Spanish practice. Taking a siesta happens right after lunch, also known as the hottest part of the day during the warmer months. But does one actually sleep? Most people use this time as more of a relaxing time. On the other hand, the older population does tend to take advantage of the time to sleep. If you work, how do you partake in la siesta? Throughout the years, most cities and towns in Spain have had small neighborhood stores such as fruit and vegetable stores, deli and meat stores, and bakeries, to name a few. These stores are normally family owned. Most of the stores are open from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then open again from 5:00 or 5:30 p.m. to about 9:00 p.m. So why the break? Store employees get to go home, eat some lunch with their families, and have a siesta.

You might be wondering, Why close at 2 p.m. and not at noon? In Spain, as well as other Hispanic countries, they have meals later. Breakfast tends to be around 9 or 10 in the morning, while lunch may be eaten between 1 and 3 in the afternoon. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day, so when you eat dinner almost by the time that you go to bed between 8 and 10 in the evening, you are able to eat a light meal.

^[1]