The city of Madrid is a special place, with a completely different pace from life in Pittsburgh. In Spain, even in a metropolitan area like Madrid, time is a little slower than in the US, where people are constantly in a hurry, focused on work and plans. In Madrid, people literally walk slower (to my horror as a fast walker), meal times are later in the day and last longer, and the work day is more casual and fluid, prioritizing interpersonal connection and work-life balance. In restaurants, you have to chase the waiter down for the check, unlike in the US, where servers are over attentive and eager to flip their tables as fast as possible. After my time in Spain, I was eager to come home to familiar things like ice cold water and brisk paced walks, but I also miss many aspects of Spanish values and how they impact their culture, society, and infrastructure.

One of the biggest differences I noticed was how this slower pace is reflected in day-to-day life, such as in transit infrastructure. In Madrid, public transit is the main form of transportation. The metro is clean, efficient, and something everyone relies on, from students to professionals to families. In Pittsburgh, public transit is often seen as a backup plan rather than the default, and cars dominate how the city is structured. Though bus lines are relatively accessible, they are often not as reliable or clean as in a major european metropolitan area like Madrid. Plus, PRT budget cuts demonstrate that there is less emphasis on investing in transit infrastructure. This difference highlights a difference in priorities: Spain emphasizes collectivism, accessibility, and sustainability in its infrastructure, while the U.S. society is shaped by individual convenience and speed.

Navigating public transit in Madrid was a huge learning curve for me, and I spent the first few weeks getting lost in the city. My office was about a 40-minute journey on public transportation from my host apartment, which varied depending on the day. After living a short 5-minute car ride away from my waitressing job at home, this was a huge adjustment for me. In the mornings, I had to be time-conscious and quick to get out the door to catch the early bus—even if it means waiting outside the office for a bit, it’s much better than being late! But I learned to love the metro throughout my time in Madrid, and now I really miss it. I loved being able to get anywhere in the city and surrounding area with the bus and metro system. In comparison with Pittsburgh transportation, it was so much more reliable, quick, and easy to navigate. Plus, I enjoyed all the “me time” I had on my commute to read, listen to music, or just think.

Public transit in Madrid was a huge asset, making it possible for me to go on many adventures alongside my daily routine throughout the summer. This year in Pittsburgh, I won’t have a car, so I hope to implement the slower pace of madrileña life and make a point to use public transit to get around the city.