Category: Social Life
Fast Food in Puerto Rico
By Rebecca Cunningham In 1999, we saw very few transnational fast food restaurants in our week in Puerto Rico. On our 2024 trip, we were stunned by how much the fast food empires had expanded over the 25 years. IHOP, McDonald’s, KFC and Burger King have had a presence on the island since the 1960’s.… Read more
“A Short History of Gumbo”
Of all the dishes in the realm of Louisiana cooking, gumbo is the most famous and, very likely, the most popular. Gumbo crosses all class barriers, appearing on the tables of the poor as well as the wealthy. Although ingredients might vary greatly from one cook to the next, and from one part of the… Read more
The Impact of a Simple Smile: Rediscovering Human Connection in a Digital World
In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, it’s easy to forget just how powerful our everyday actions can be. Sometimes, a smile shared in passing might be the only glimmer of joy someone experiences that day. But in recent years, I’ve noticed something troubling: more and more people seem to be struggling with feelings of anxiety, depression,… Read more