Hello class, my name is Cristian Diaz and this week, I’d like to talk about my experiences at two restaurants that I recently visited. I explored aspects of Poland and Spain by visiting two culturally significant restaurants in New York City one was called “Little Poland”, a cozy Polish restaurant in the East Village, Manhattan. And “El Castillo de Jagua”, a vibrant Spanish restaurant in Brooklyn. These visits provided a unique lens through which to view the traditions and values of these nations, deepening my understanding of their cultures and indirectly shedding light on their political landscapes.

I had visited ‘little Poland’ on November 25th and, the atmosphere and traditional decor transported me to Eastern Europe. The manufactured classic dishes like pierogies, kielbasa, and stuffed cabbage, each rooted in the country’s agriculture and working-class traditions. I ordered the pierogies, which were served with sour cream and onions. I actually really enjoyed the flavor; it really reminded me of dumplings. The flavors were hearty and comforting, while dining, I noticed how the restaurant setting evoked a sense of community, reminding me of Poland’s collective spirit, which is played a significant role in his political movements. While dining, I struck up a brief conversation with a patron or mentioned having family from Warsaw, Poland. When explaining my assignment, they shared their perspective on Polish politics, emphasizing the importance of the European Union the Poland’s economy and its role in safeguarding democratic values. He had said that he loves Poland, as he has visited a few times, but that they could be doing better when it comes to social issues.

On November 30th, I visited El Castillo de Jagua, a lively spot known for its Spanish and Dominican cuisine. Here, I had ordered Paella, a dish brimming with saffron infused rice, seafood, and vegetables cooked and served in one pan. The restaurants energy reflected Spain’s vibrant social culture. It had a lot of color, and the staff were very friendly. And its menu had a mix of dishes influenced by Spain and the Dominican Republic. I also appreciated the music that they had playing which was a traditional Spanish sounding song. I had briefly chatted with one of the servers, who shared House beans regions, like Catalonia, often want more independence, which can make politics tricky. This reminded me about Spain balances being a United Country with its diverse regional identities. She had also talked about how regional pride is a big thing for the Spanish people and Spain’s identity.

These visits showed me how culture and politics are connected. Although not the same, food tells a story about a country’s history and values, and it made me think about what I’ve learned in class in a new way. Talking to people was a little scary at first, but it ended up being really interesting. Both restaurants gave me a deeper understanding of Poland and Spain, and I left feeling like I’d learned something valuable, not just about politics but about how people live their lives. This experience also taught me how much culture can make political systems easier to understand. Example, Poland’s food and traditions reflect a close knit, community-based culture that mirrors its political challenges, like balancing tradition with progress. Meanwhile, Spain’s energetic atmosphere and diverse regional influences help me better understand the push for regional autonomy, and fight for independence. Even though I didn’t visit these countries themselves, these small field work moments gave me a closer look into what life might be like in Poland and Spain.