Besitos

Last week as I chatted with some friends after class in the sunny courtyard, I ran into my intercambio and her friend whom I had previously met. As is customary in Spain, I exchanged a kiss on each cheek with both girls as a greeting. As we began to discuss possible plans for meeting up the following week, two more of their friends showed up. I was introduced to them, and we all exchanged kisses on the cheek. As my intercambio had to go to her class, we did not have much time to talk. We agreed to email each other and then exchanged kisses on the cheek. 

After saying goodbye to my intercambio, the two friends who had showed up second also had to head to their class. We expressed how nice it was to have met each other and gave kisses on the cheek. We talked for one more minute with my intercambio's friend, and then she too had to go. We exchanged kisses on the cheek and wishes to see each other soon.

Ready for the tally? For me, that was sixteen kisses given and sixteen kisses received in a span of just over two minutes. I think we all spent more time exchanging kisses than actually making plans for meeting up later on. Oh well! I suppose it's still faster than same intricate handshake that ends in exploding knucks.