#2. San Juan, Puerto Rico (United States)
My love for Puerto Rico is strong; from the people, the culture, the architecture, and the food, this place has sincerely captured my heart. And I guess before we jump into friendliest memories, I should mention that this memory is an all encompassing one, and it’s about speaking Spanish.
I’ve visited PR a few times, but this last time (August 2019) was my first time back since the devastating hurricane. It’s true, the island still hasn’t fully recovered. But the people that are there, stand tall, and even after such devastating events, they’re filled with nothing but kindness. Particularly when it came to me speaking Spanish, or lack there of I should say. Let me explain. I’ve been to different countries before where the first language isn’t English. And I’ll try to read up or learn what I can to get by, or at least learn my please and thank you’s. But certain countries are SO RUDE when you A. Don’t speak their language, or B. Attempt to speak their language but aren’t fluent, so they brush you aside or worse, SCOFF at you. AHG. The worst. Like, hey! I’m really trying here! I don’t want people to think I’m an ignorant tourist who doesn’t want to learn their language – I do! But B. has happened to me before in the Paris Airport – oh whoops! Didn’t mean to call out the French – and its since given me serious anxiety, to the point where I’m scared to attempt to speak another language. Where am I going with this? Puerto Rico is the first place I’ve traveled to where everyone was patient and kind when attempting to speak Spanish. Sometimes they’d switch to English, but we’d politely ask if they’d be ok to switch back to Spanish so we could learn. They’d reply with an absolutely! Many people helped us correct certain terms and words, and genuinely seemed happy guiding us along. It truly made the entire trip – the friendliness of the people. Seriously. I’m awful at Spanish, but it’s my goal to learn it this year – or at least be much better by next year.
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