Tourist for a Day
For this activity, I have decided to experience my day as a tourist on April 29 in the restaurant "El Hamburger" in San Juan. I had to first get into the tourist's mindset, so I dressed in a little plain generic light clothes with short cargo pants, which is a classic choice usually worn in tourist attraction areas. I knew where to go, but I had decided to ask locals around the area which place they recommended me to go for a meal. Surprisingly, the first person I asked in English about where I could go eat, a man riding a bike along the street, answered in Spanish after clearing up if I was referring to "lugar para comer" (place to eat). Trying his hardest to explain in English, he told me that if I kept walking up the hill, I'd find myself next to "El Hamburger" and a "KFC". I had already known about this, but the local burger place seemed like a better choice to experiment. I went into the restaurant, and to my surprise, the menu was actually in English, and some employees luckily spoke it too. Usually, I would've never noticed or taken it for granted since I'm used to everything being bilingual in Puerto Rico. I was looking forward to the challenges concerning a language barrier but this wasn't the case. So I made things more interesting. I began asking about the status of the restaurant, and I learned things I genuinely did not know. Apparently the restaurant had recently closed due to some plumbing issues and some remodeling plans. They added new areas that aid disabled people move around more freely, and of course, decorated outside of the establishment. I spiced things up a bit more before finishing my meal, and asked my waiter where they thought I was from. They stood in silence wondering for a bit before answering "Cali", to which I asked why and they said that I had a distinct look to myself and I didn't originally seemed from any specific place, but California is known to be a multiethnic state. I had to say I came from Florida, where I lived with my Puerto Rican parents, since I did not think I would get this far into this conversation and was not that prepared. I almost broke character multiple times but it really helped the fact that this specific area of San Juan is very prepared to receive English speaking tourists.
Hello Miguel! I found it interesting how you wrote about stepping back from reality, pretending to be a tourist for a day. How a man on a bike was willing to help, and how you learned new things that you possibly wouldn't have known, had you not pretended to be a tourist. Also, when you mention how it took you by surprise there wasn't a language barrier, are you saying that, heading into this experience, you weren't expecting the fluent communication in English you had with your waiter? In the case that it would have been difficult, do you think you would've just given up and broken character? I would love to know your thoughts!
ResponderEliminarHi Miguel! To summarize, you went with the mindset of a tourist, looking for a place to eat and found yourself learning more about the restaurant's condition, the new renovations they had made, and where they thought you were from? I found it super interesting that you asked them where they thought you were from, it definitely was fun to read about their answer.
ResponderEliminarHi!!! When I read your post I literally imagined in my head the part of the waiter being stood in silenced when you asked ''Where do you think I'm from?"' It was like I was asking myself that question. Very good job!
ResponderEliminarI loved it when you asked the guys to guess from where you are from, I should have asked that question. Usually people say I am from an Arabic country. To be honest, I was not surprised by the fact that you did not encounter much of a language barrier in San Juan.. I think most people in P.R know at least some basic English.. Loved reading about your mini adventure. Very well written..
ResponderEliminarI liked the way you got into the mindset of a tourist, I had a similar experience. I also noticed many people don't know or have difficulties with English.. In my experience I didn't stop to think how they perceived me to be from. It was nice they asked you and quick thinking to say from Cali. Very good job!
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