I love Latin American culture. And if I am honest, there is really no reason for how much I love it. I have never been there, yet I feel a strong need to learn the language, understand the history and experience the culture. The only way I can make sense of this is that somehow in the future, God must be planning to call me there. So one of my favorite things is meeting other people who feel a similar call and who can struggle with me in figuring out what exactly that means.
And that’s where my incredible friend Rachel comes into the picture. Her heart also belongs to Latin America, which is why she moved to Honduras one summer to intern with a nonprofit missions organization. There, she learned the language and the culture in ways I can only hope to one day experience. Until then, however, we get to search out all the little bits of Hispanic culture here in Jackson.
So that’s how we ended up in the car, dancing with excitement on our way to Gonzalez Pupuseria y Restaurante. The first thing I want to say about this place is that it’s authentic. Because while I may love a good chicken, cheese and rice bowl, there simply is just nothing like eating food true to its country and its culture.
So we walked in the front doors. Immediately, we heard the lively Spanish music and smelled what we already knew was going to be insanely good food. Greeted by smiles and a warm welcome, we took a seat underneath the map of Central America. As Rachel pointed out to me all the communities she had lived and served in, the owner came to talk to us and get our drink orders.
Even if you don’t know anything else about Latin American culture, you need to know that it is very, very relational. At any typical restaurant in the US, the waiter comes, takes your order, maybe makes quick small talk and then moves on to their next table. But we weren’t at any typical US restaurant. No, at Gonzalez “authentic Salvadorian” includes the full experience. So, taking our drink orders launched into a warm, happy conversation where we got to learn about where the owner was from and how he came to Jackson to open this restaurant.
Although my Spanish-speaking abilities may not be incredible just yet, Rachel’s most certainly are. The conversation rapidly switched back and forth between Spanish and English in a way that was almost dizzying to me, who was just trying to keep up. But I loved every second of it because sometimes, things are only expressible in a certain language, lest they risk losing the full meaning.
The conversation flowed from families to Union and into all the rest of life, and finally, after a long stretch of indecision, we chose what we wanted to eat. Everything. Was. Phenomenal. Each sip of my Ensalada, which is a juice filled with bits of real fruit, or bite of my pupusas de frijol con queso or pastelitos de carne was followed with an excited, “Oh my goodness, this is amazing!”
Our raving about the food to our new friend soon turned into hilarious conversations, music videos on the TV screen (of which I could barely understand a word) and life lessons about culture and growing older.
I loved my small taste of El Salvador, and I can’t wait to go back. So, if you’re ever in the mood for more than just a plate of food and are craving lively conversations, a long meal and a glimpse of a wonderful culture, just let me know. I would love to introduce you to my new friends at Gonzalez.
