"Let's eat Grandma!"
"Let's eat, Grandma!"
Punctuation may help to save lives like in the case above, but correct word pronunciation helps to avoid misinformation.
Walking down an uneven sidewalk in San Juan del Sur. A man in Sperry boat shoes, shorts, and a half unbuttoned shirt yells out to us.
"Hey! Zzwe have a private boat tour to a beach for twenty-five dollars!"
Accustomed to the taxi drivers and street vendors trying to vie for our attention, we usually try to avoid conversations with them. One look, or a hint of interest sets the hook. This will cause them to swarm like a school of fish around us, or they will follow us down the street. It's a relentless every day occurrence. It's part of how people operate business around Central America.
So when the man in Sperrys gets our attention, the hook was set. Walking out of the building with a step that suggested salesman, he began selling us his boat tour. Listening to his thick accent I presume (maybe falsely) that he is originally from France.
"Our boat tour is excellent! Much better zen going to Maderas beach with all of zee other tourists. Zzwe take a boat with a few other guests and go to a private beach!"
Determined to give us his sales pitch, he doesn't let us ask any questions.
"Along with zee tour, it includes beer, rum, and cocktails! Zzwe have a big bonfire on zee beach. Zee guests go and collect zee wood, while zzwe prepare a fresh dinner made with fresh feesh. It's zverry good and zzer is no one on zee beach."
He's talking so fast all Chet and I can do is nod our heads and mumble uhh-huhh. Karen has lost interest and walks a few feet away.
The salesman in Sperrys continuing on and says, "Zzwe have zee bonfire as long as you want. Zzwe come back at sunset, seven pm, midnight, you choose. Last night zzwe had some Jamaicans and zzwe partied until midnight! You choose your fun!"
The salesman sensing that Chet and I have lost interest ups his sales pitch.
"Remember zer is nobody else on zee beach. Just us! It's not like Maderas beach."
Leaning in close to us to regain our attention, he says, "and do you like sloots?"
He pauses to let us soak in what he just said before continuing on ecstatically.
"Zair are sloots all over the beach! Zair are sloots everywhere!! You will see sloots all night! All around you!"
At this point all I'm saying to myself is "why is this guy being so derogatory towards women? And It's kind of rude saying this right in front of Karen. And yeah I like women but why does he have to call them sluts. And I thought there wasn't anyone on this beach." Chet and I give each other a look.
Hitting the pinnacle of his speech, the salesman in Sperrys valiantly continues on like a knight unwilling to retreat.
"You will have never seen so many sloots before! Zay are all right on the beach! Right in zee trees above you!! It's amazing!!"
At this point, Chet and I begin to realize that he isn't talking about sluts but he's talking about sloths.
Finishing up his speech and seeing that he has lost our interest says, "all of zis for twenty-five dollars! Just let me know as soon as possible. I'll be right here."
So correct punctuation saves lives but correct pronunciation may save a sales pitch.
This morning we are hiking a volcano on Ometepe but here are some photos from the last few days.
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