Reading Sandybabe's blog triggered memories of when I first came to America. Well, let's start at the beginning....
I lived in many African countries as a result of my father's work but had not yet lived in Europe or Americhes. One day, pops told us that we would be going to Americhes. We had heard quite a bit about the place and of course had studied geography, history, etc. so had some abstract knowledge but the thought of actually coming here filled us with mixed emotions. What would it be like? Would we be cold all the time? What were the people like? What about the family members we were leaving behind? What about our friends? All the traveling we had done made us thankful for friends because it allowed for an easier time when settling into a new place. We were now going to leave these friends but at least it was for ABROCHIRE (the American Abrochire).
Well, my father went ahead and then the time came for us to join him. Ehhhh, we were excited and we let all our friends know that we were going to Americhes so of course we became even more popular for the remainder of the time in Ghana; we were going to ABROCHIRE. Most Ghanians were accustomed to people going to the different Abrochire locales such as Bylon (London) or Germain (Germany) but Americhes was a big deal back then. They asked if we would write, if we would send them gifts, if we would come back and visit. Well, of course our answers to all these questions were in the affirmative. Of course, how could we forget our friends?
Well, ur first stop was London and it was so COLD. Ehhh, what manner of cold was this? My mother had bought us winter coats on an earlier visit but dang, I was beginning to regret our move already. I was beginning to miss friends and family, mostly my grandmother who talked to us as we were getting ready to depart for the airport. She told me that if anyone asked why Ghana is hot all year round, my answer should be that it's due to its proximity to the equator. Priceless! I think about that and still smile. How I wished we were close to the equator at the moment we went into that cold London air. Eh, grandma was and still is Sheyge-Leyge. Anyway, back to the story....I mean, what were my parents thinking? Anyway, I decided I would be open to the purported benefits that might outweigh this nonsense cold. Besides, this was not our final destination so I "kept hope alive."
Oh, how could I forget? How could I forget the ESCALATOR INCIDENT? Well, as we walked through Heathrow airport, we had to board an escalator to get our luggage. As we walked and walked, we got to some moving steps with what looked like metal teeth also known as an escalator. Ehh, WERE WE SUPPOSED TO GET ON THAT THING? WHAT?! Mind you as privileged as we might have been in Ghana, escalators were pretty rare in Ghana at the time so that was my first time seeing one. See me see trouble!
As my older brother inched toward the escalator behind my mother, I screamed his name and told him not to get on. My mother had stepped on, carrying my little brother and holding my sister's hand. I, on the other hand, refused to budge and decided to pull my brother into the craziness by insisting that he not step on either. He kept saying, "come on let's go" and I refused...were these people crazy?!?! Meanwhile my mother was panicking, trying to come back while trying to coax me onto the escalator. Come see all the obronis staring and trying to help. Finally one convinced me to get on by holding my hand. My mother and siblings were relieved albeit quite embarrassed, I am sure, but hey I thought my life was in danger so all of them could kick rocks for all I cared.
After the escalator incident, we went outside and saw our first snowfall. It was exciting to us--so exciting that my little brother refused to stop playing in it...well he learned that the white stuff causes something known as frostbite. Needless to say, he spent the rest of the night screaming as his fingers thawed.
Well after a week or so in London, we made our way to America via Dulles Airport. Ehhh Americhe!!! Well we were picked up and when we got home, my father decided to treat us to our first taste of fast food--KFC. So we cooked some rice and ate our chicken...we had finally arrived in the land of Reagan.
Ehhh, everyone has something that beats them/causes confusion when they first come to America...what was your escalator incident? Stop frontin', you know you had a hard time with the coin operated washing machine...lol
P.S. You see I have upgraded and added an image...big things, big things.
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