Five times a day

3 meals a day here is not acceptable.
5 meals a day are a must.
Any less and the locals feel as if they have been conned.

1.  #1 Breakfast.  Taken between 6-7am.
Coffee and toast.  A pat on the back for getting out of bed.

2. # 2 Breakfast.  Taken between 10-11am.
An omelette sandwich. Self congratulation for making it to work, and an excuse for a break.

3. 1-4pm: Lunch.  A well deserved rest from the long working day.  A four course meal usually eaten out (menu del dia).  A standard ration would be soup, salad, main course, dessert and coffee.

4. 5-6pm: Merienda (afternoon snack).  Usually biscuits, cake, or perhaps some fruit to keep the sugar levels up until dinner.


5. 9-11pm: Dinner.  A chance to discuss the day and of course to talk about what everyone's eaten that day. A full family affair around the table with starter, main course and dessert.

No wonder the working day here is so long.  About half of it is taken up with eating!