McDonalds

McDonalds usually means many things to many different people. For me it was a place you liked as a kid. But after, oh say, your sophomore year of high school you start to grow out of desiring The Golden Arches. Or at least that is my story. The last time I recall eating a meal at McDonald's was, well I honestly can't remember, but I can tell you it was at least 7 years ago. I went through the drive-through in Oakhurst with my friend Daniel, either last year to two years ago, but that was only to get fries and I was not the one who really wanted them. I think I ate two or  seven fries, really.
In the States McDonald's reputation is no five star eating establishment, at least in my opinion. Guatemala, however is a different story. First, you won't find high schoolers, or people behind the counter who seem to treat you as though they could really care less if you were there or not. Know their are those who really do enjoy there jobs at fast food restaurants, and offer a very pleasant dinning experience. Nevertheless, you don't get a job at McDonald's in the states because you want to, you do it because you have to. In Guatemala workers at McDonald's know they have a steady income, and in a 3rd world country, a job at McDonald's is a good thing. Actually it's a desirable thing. And it shows in their attitude. I recall a experience in Antigua (side note: the McDonald's in Antigua is awesome. It has a sweet court yard with lots of space, clean bathrooms, and is aesthetically super neat. Mc Café looks like something you would find in a upscale coffee shop in downtown Chicago. Google image search:
- Mcdonalds Antigua Guatemala pics -
and you'll see just a glimps of it). So I had just finished my McFlurry and was about to through it away, when a man politely swooped the tray from my hands to take care if it. Not out of any motivation for money, solely because that was his job and he took pride in it. Jobs a McDonald's here are like working a 9 to 5 in the states, paying a livable salary. Furthermore, and perhaps coolest of all, is that they deliver. They deliver to your front door. HOW SWEET IS THAT. So tonight we did just that. Called and ordered, paid, then ate at the house. Did I mention I got a picture. The man would not take a picture with me, branding stuff I guess, but he let Hannah and I take one with his bike. Needless to say I really enjoyed my first true meal at, or should I say from McDonald's in over seven years. Everything was as I remember it to be. The 6 piece nugget was the same dipped in honey, the fries identical to those I've had in the past leaving your finger salty and, the 1/4 pounder just at fatting as ever. But I figure McDonald's once every seven years it ok.