I saw Sue and Anna standing under a street light. Sue was smoking a cigarette while Anna was bursting with laughter as if Sue had just told her a joke.
They met nine months ago and have lived in the United States through the Au Pair program. Sue is from Turkey and Anna is from Poland. They both spend their days as caregivers and the rest of their time as tourists — free to bask in Bay Area culture.
After hanging out with Sue and Anna, I realized four things.
1. We’ve got to do something about our homeless.
Anna commented how their country is overrun by stray dogs and cats different from the Bay Area which is overrun by the homeless. “I was shocked at homeless people. Here, it is everywhere. Here it is like people don't pay attention and just ignore them,” said Anna.
2. We think we’re more liberal than we actually are.
“I notice that in America the people are usually their ideas are white or black. There’s no gray for them. This comes to me a little bit weird because sometimes it’s good sometimes it’s not. But they are so just strict,” said Sue. “They are not flexible.”
3. Walgreens has increased their Black hair care products.
“When I enter Walgreens I was searching for the tan and I saw you have so much for Black people,” said Sue.
4. Bay Area lingo is difficult for foreigners.
“Before here I thought that I know English,” said Sue.
