WILD GOOSE CHASE IN LEICESTER SQUARE

I know there’s constant rejection in journalism whether it is in employment or story ideas, etc. But, today was filled with more rejection than I anticipated and made me realize how much harder the task at hand will be.

Being the worst and most directionally-challenged person at home in the United States, I knew finding my way in a foreign country was going to be damn near impossible. That wasn’t a surprise. But, when we are on a time limit to get our things done, not knowing where to go made me reach a higher level of frustration than normal.

Carlos A. Moreno, the photographer, two reporters Heather Nacht and Heather Driscoll and I could not figure out which tube to take to get from Westminster to South Kensington and from there to Leicester Square. After about half an hour, we figured it out and were on our way.

Right away, Carlos and I knew we had to get to business and find the restaurants for our story based on how restaurants are being affected by the economy.

The first restaurant we decided to use for our story declined any interview. Okay, that was one. Onto the next. The next one was another bust and by the third bust, I grew nervous. What restaurant would allow us to do both interviews and photos?

The fourth restaurant, a pub-grub kind of place, was a success at last. But, after some interviews and pictures, they seemed ready to get us out of there. I stepped out and waited for Carlos. Just a short while later he came out and let me know that they had asked him to leave. I wondered why it was such a big deal that he take some pictures but apparently it is a big deal in London because that was the primary hesitation for a lot of restaurant employees and managers.

It was either we were rejected for both interviews and photos at some places or just photos.

We received more rejection than approvals but we managed to score a handful of interviews and Carlos was able to get some photos. We also did some “man on the street”-type interviews asking people about their take on food and the economy but many declined to speak and/or have their photo taken.

After about four hours of walking and countless instances of being turned away, we were exhausted. But, I was happy that we came away with something.

Now I have also learned that doing this entire running around in high-heeled boots is probably not the wisest idea. So, tomorrow for round two of the chase in Leicester Square, I’ll definitely be wearing my sneakers.

Samantha Rivera
Magazine Journalism