‘¿Eduado por qué hablan en inglés?’
‘I’m speakie English because I wanna tourists come to our bar Marianna’
Eduardo and Mariana ran La Cocina de la Abuela in Mexico City. Things had been a bit slow of late, so Eduardo thought he could increase their trade by welcoming foreigners with open arms.
‘¿Por qué cambiaste el nombre a Grandma’s Kitchen?’
‘I change the name because that is what it say in English Mariana’.
He was hoping a more familiar sounding name might attract the attention of holidaymakers.
‘¿Que es eso?’
‘You mean this pot Marianna?
‘Si’
‘This Marianna is ketchup. It for fish and chips’.
Eduardo thought that he should introduce a few items on the menu to appeal to visitors who’d had enough tacos and enchiladas.
‘¿Por qué Eduardo, por qué?’
Eduardo crossed his arms over his chest, took a deep breath and looked up.
‘Why?’ he roared, ‘why? Because we must build bridges, not walls Marianna’.
‘¿Estás construyendo un puente?’
‘No Marianna, I not build a real bridge…I…I…
¡Oh, me rindo!’
Word count 169
For Sunday Photo Fiction which s hosted by Susan Spaulding who also provided the photograph.
Oh, now you have me curious. Why had trade fallen off for these two? Has someone spread an ugly rumor? Or perhaps “the locals” are all in line at the US border right now, speaking of walls? Now that you’ve created a likeable pair, you’ll have to tell us more. 😉
Maybe I could use them in a future story without the political reference, who knows? Cheers, Christine.
I could see Windsor, Canada from the window at my old job in the city of Detroit. Are we going to put border patrols out in the lakes and rivers too? My country is going crazy.
I wasn’t sure my reference to ‘the wall’ would come through. Thanks for spotting it, Denise!
I love how you use humor to get your message through. I am not sure what type of world I live in anymore. This is not the American I grew up in and the first time I have ever thought about leaving. I hope we come to our senses soon. Well done Keith.
We have our problems on this side of the pond too. It’s a mad mad world out there. Thanks Susan
Hi Keith – so true … and I love the way you’ve set it … they have their work cut out – to find their tourists … with the political overtones. Muddle of the language translator … clever and as the others have said – Mariana and Eduardo could be used with Rosie … now that would introduce a puzzling encounter. Cheers Hilary
Now that’s an idea – I’ll see what she has to say! She’d probably make a great ambassador. Thanks, Hilary.
Eduardo is right. We must build bridges and not walls. Good post, Keith.
And he’s doing his bit! Cheers Fandy.
I will need a translation app to go through this. 😊
i was rather hoping the answers would reveal the questions
They did to spme extent.
We definitely need bridges instead of walls. Hopefully, we come to our senses over here. Great story, Keith!
We can only hope Thanks so much
Eduardo is right. The world is in a right mess at present.
Indeed it is. Thanks Michael
Tourists should be glad to go where the locals go, and building bridges of understanding should be the goal. Nice story, and i like them!
Thank you so much Mimi
Saying so much in your trademark funny way.