Eye Opening Experience

While sitting in this small, bright yellow, wonderful smelling, Mexican food restaurant I can’t help but feel somewhat guilty, or at the least, a little dense for having any of the reservations that were flowing through my head, just minutes ago, as I walked into the “great unknown” of a tiny dilapidated building, handing over my stomach. 

Small, there were only a total of about 12 seats at the most, odd, it seemed like and old taco bell, or some other  fast food chain of the past, and somewhat grimy-looking, you couldn’t call this the cleanest restaurant you have been to.  These are just a few judgments I had, observations that flash uncontrollably in my head.

As I entered this tiny, unattractive place, with only about twelve seats altogether, and the menu consisting of pieces of paper with menu items marked on, all hanging from the wall, my judgment is still a little hazy, and I find myself feeling out of place, not knowing quite what to think of the whole situation. 

In a way I felt just what a newly arrived immigrant, or even a native Arizonan that has been segregated for the most part. I feel out of place, even though I’ve grown up in Phoenix I felt worlds away culturally from those surrounding me.

I found out it is easier to empathize with newcomers, or “outsiders”, when that outsider suddenly became me.  Long before any real problem could be found, my worries were quelled by an obliging waitress, and friendly folks willing to open up and make me and my group comfortable. Being in this very situation opened my eyes, to the plight that lots of minorities in someway must feel.  Coming to a new country, with a different language, and people must be hard.

In the end the language may be different, and complexions and bodily features as well, but the most important feature, the human heart  is the same, and can overcome all the other trivial problems, like race, language, and misunderstanding.  For my first freeze frame I was at “Choix”. Here they had soda from Mexico, which I must say tastes different, as well as orchata by the 5 gallon barrel, and something very important, great Mexican food.  With authentic dishes, some just as bright as the restaurant itself I couldn’t help but enjoy myself, with a happy stomach and a somewhat satisfied curiosity my group and I went on our way to see what other surprises we could find on the south side.