Report generated on Mon, 12 Dec 2016 23:01 Page 1 of 5 DOCUMENT SCORE Food memoir final 100 of 100 ISSUES FOUND IN THIS TEXT 0 Contextual Spelling 0 No errors Grammar 0 No errors Punctuation 0 No errors Sentence Structure 0 No errors Style 0 No errors Vocabulary enhancement 0 No errors
Report generated on Mon, 12 Dec 2016 23:01 Page 2 of 5 Food memoir final 1 Vega Alexa Vega Professor Saleska WRT 102: Writing and Research 12 December 2016 Cancun We departed from LAX on an early Saturday morning, and when I mean, early I mean midnight early. I have noticed that no matter the time you are leaving LAX; it is always bound to be packed with travelers either coming in from other places or leaving just like we were. Whenever you are traveling it is always best to be there early, so it was made sure you weren't going to miss your flight. I was flying with my soccer team and our parents along with other teams of different ages in our club. This is a yearly occurrence where we travel somewhere either in the United States or outside of the country. Every year go to a soccer tournament held somewhere, so we get the chance to play something we love, soccer, and get to go on a vacation during the summer. We were also leaving in a big group, so that added to the time we wasted just trying to make sure everyone was there so when we boarded no one would be left behind. In our layover in Minnesota, we were just waiting for our next flight so we can finally arrive at our destination, Cancun. The airport we went to seemed as if we were in a mall. From our gate from where we landed to where everything was at appeared to be a five-minute walk to where everything was located. Not having had anything besides peanuts and a beverage in my stomach for a while affected my mood, maybe not having have slept on the plane played a factor also. During our walk to find food saw stores from all different categories. We saw some fancy restaurants, a few clothing stores, souvenir shops and fast food places. Nothing caught my interest because I was so hungry I
Report generated on Mon, 12 Dec 2016 23:01 Page 3 of 5 wanted something right away. This is a situation where the saying "I am so hungry I could eat a horse" can come into play. When I saw a McDonalds, it seems as if all my worries have been lifted. I know McDonald's isn't the best out there, but it was what satisfied my starvation. After eating my meal, I had nothing to do besides try to waste two hours sitting around hoping the time would go faster so I can finally be on the plane that would leave me in Cancun. Arriving in Cancun, I was hit with the humidity from the second I stepped off the plane till the second I eventually got my roomed key. If it wasn't for the air conditioner in the bus, we took to the hotel I would have been sweating so much which I'm glad didn't happen. I can't say it was the same once we stepped out of the bus into the humidity. Let's just say my hair resembled a nest. It had been a long day when we go to the hotel that all I wanted to do was go to my hotel room and recuperate. At that time, I wasn't even worried about how hungry I was from the long plane ride and just wanted to rest in an air conditioned room. Getting to the hotel took about an hour from the airport which made me even moodier but just looking at my surroundings was just beautiful. The green, vibrant trees were so beautiful and the beaches, wow, the beaches were just like the photos you see advertised on tv to get you to travel to whatever destination they were trying to sell you. The bright colors in contrast with the light sky made it stand out even more than what they would be back home in the US. The beaches were nothing like the ones in California; you could see through the water, and it didn't have trash on the sand. The clear beaches in contrast with the white sand made a sight for sore eyes. Getting to the hotel, we were checked in and immediately lead to the places we could eat. The food choices were a wide variety, from Italian to Mexican to even Sushi. I know right surprising, especially in Mexico. Our first night we as a group decided that maybe we should try the Italian place. I thought that maybe since it was in a resort in Mexico that it would have a Mexican touch to it. Let's just say it was something I wasn't expecting. I had ordered a pizza because I thought that the meat they used would be different seeing as Mexico is known for having exotic meat but it wasn't like any pizza I had ordered. I am used
Report generated on Mon, 12 Dec 2016 23:01 Page 4 of 5 to the pizzas being very fluffy and soft. This pizza's crust was hard, and it was paper thin, and the cheese was so burnt. Don't get me started on how cold it was. It tasted as if had been sitting there on the counter waiting to be taken out for at least 20 minutes. Whenever I get pizza, it is typically hot and ready for me when I go to pick it up. I guess I had some high expectations of the pizza going in. That wasn't a good experience, and I wouldn't be getting pizza again. At this hotel not only were there restaurants but they also had a buffet. I was hoping that the buffet was better than the Italian restaurant. For breakfast, they had this amazing omelet made to what you desired to have in it. That morning I was feeling eggs, cheese and ham type of omelet. Due to many people, the workers were going at a fast pace to get all the food out quick. It was probably one of the best meals I had, had. During that week we went to an island called Isla Mujeres, translated means "Women's Island." On this island, we got to explore the surrounding areas. We got to see a significant difference in the lifestyle they live compared to how we are back here in the United States. The way they live is nothing compared to how we go about our day. If they were to see how we lived, they would probably call it a luxury. While on the island laying on the beach the waiters came around giving the guests menus. Seeing as Mexico was known for their meat, I decided to order carne asada with tortilla chips and cheese. This place did not cook their meat good. The meat was too burned for it to be considered "good." The cheese didn't even help with the taste. The cheese was hard on the tortilla chips due to probably being overcooked. The cheese had a dark brown color adding to the fact that it wasn't good. I guess they were trying to serve so many people that they didn't get to cook quality food. But just as much as I had a bad experience with the food I also had a good experience with some. This one night we all decided to have a night out in the downtown of Cancun. We went to a little hole in the wall restaurant, but I think those are the best. The reason being because that's where all the right food is made from. What I first noticed was that it was this little room with tables downstairs and some upstairs. The whole place had Mexican
Report generated on Mon, 12 Dec 2016 23:01 Page 5 of 5 artifacts hung up on the wall. They had photos of famous actors and events that happened. What had caught my attention was all alcohol they had. The container they held all of their alcohol was about ten ft. tall and five ft. wide and it was full of alcohol with no space being seen anywhere. This place didn't disappoint that's for sure. I ordered a plate that came with rice, beans, and meat. It was the best thing ever. I could smell it from the moment it was put down in front of me to the time it was gone, and then I got sad. The savor of the food would forever be etched in my head. We were all having fun since we had a good meal and that affected our mood. We were joking with the waiters and playing around with each other. It finally came the day when we had to get back to reality and fly home. If I were ever to go back again, I would probably try to go into the city more often because that's where you can get the best food at, and the culture is more known from the people working. Having had many Mexican foods many times before I expected a little more out of the whole food situation. Later I realized since Cancun is a major tourist spot that maybe they didn't have authentic Mexican food because the people are there for the tour sites and less likely there for the food.