Los sustantivos españoles más comunes – Lugares y viajes

To visit an island, I take an early plane. The flight is short, and I look at the clouds. On the map, the island is to the north of my house, but I also want to see the south of the coast. At the airport there is a small shop for water and bread. I speak a little of the local language, but I use gestures. When I arrive, I ask: “Where is the east and where is the west?” A taxi driver explains to me calmly. So I start the day in a new place.

In the west of the island I take an old bus. On the road a big truck passes and makes a lot of noise. The bus follows the river and then crosses a bridge with a painted cross. Under the bridge I see fast water and stones. At a corner of the road the driver stops and I get off carefully. In the distance I see green mountains and a farm. The bus trip is slow, but I like to listen to the river again. I am not in a hurry.

In the afternoon I go to a campsite near the beach. There is a crowd of families, and many children are playing. In the south the beach is quiet, and in the north there is more noise. I put my backpack on the sand and I walk slowly. Then I go into a small restaurant and I order fish with rice. The waiter speaks fast, but I use simple language and I say “please” and “thank you”. When I leave, I buy fruit in a shop and I go back to the campsite.

At night I go to a club with a small stage. On the stage a local band plays. The music is loud and the crowd sings and jumps. I am at the back, near the door, because I want a quiet place. In a corner I see a sign with times. A friend says that the singer is a double of a famous person, but for me it is only a new voice. The club is in the east of the island and I walk back to the south. I drink water, I clap, and I smile.

The next day I look for information about my return flight. I go into a tourist shop and ask about the flight schedule. The girl marks the paper and says: “Your flight leaves at eight o’clock.” I look at the map: the airport is in the west and my hotel is in the east. Before leaving, I eat something in a restaurant near the door. I walk to a corner and take a taxi. From the window I see the north and the south of the island for the last time. So I arrive early and without stress.

At the airport I meet a blind man and his blind sister. They travel alone and use a white cane. I offer them help to find the correct gate. We sit under a big screen with the flight number. We walk slowly and speak using very simple language. In the waiting room there is noise, like a bus or a truck, but they are calm. They teach me that calm is important on a trip and that we can all help.

When they call my flight, I stand in a long line. One person is nervous and shouts “jerk” at another passenger. Another woman replies “jerk” and everyone looks. I do not want problems; I breathe and I stay at the back of the line. That language is strong and it does not help. An employee speaks calmly and the situation gets better. I get on the plane, I look for my seat, and I close my eyes. I think: on a trip, respect is worth more than the rush.