The task this time was to write two paragraphs that told the same travel story, but from the perspective of a modern and a 19th century traveller. This is what I wrote for the modern traveller:

The highlight of the day would have to be getting to know our neighbour, Arturo. After a few false starts, our smattering of Spanish allowed us to understand that he was inviting us in for a meal. Eagerly we agreed, and were met with no fewer than 16 members of his extended family – cousins, aunts, siblings, and, of course, his abuela, who put on the most magnificent feast of meat, rices, chiles and flat breads.

Already exhausted from eating so much, Arturo then asked us to go out with him that night. Eager to experience the city nightlife, we put aside our yawns and headed out. It’s amazing how clubbing is the same all around the world – drinks, music, and low light seems to be the universal language for partying.

And this was for the 19th century:

Today I managed to make the acquaintance of a of a local man who, although he seemed to know no language I could decipher, was able to make me understand that his name was Arturo. It seemed I was being welcomed to a family gathering, and although apprehensive after hearing accounts of unsavoury and potentially dangerous food in these parts, I found the lure of observing local family life uninterrupted too tempting. It seems the importance of extended family here is high, as the ensuing feast welcomed no fewer than 16 people. Interestingly, this family seemed not to be ruled by any man, but an ‘abuela’, a term I took to mean ‘grandmother’. While the food was plentiful and their offering of it warm, I found I could not stomach more than a few bites of the spice that singed my tongue. I was then offered the opportunity to join the younger members of the family on what I assumed was a night exploring the city, but I felt I could not go unattended and so, giving my thanks, retired to my room.