Geraldine Ogwe: Things I Learned in the United States

United States of America has always been a dream destination for many for many reasons. Here I am. I decided to forgive the Immigration Officers in Houston for the black carpet reception they gave to me. {Read the story here}
George picked me up at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport, Atlanta. He was very happy to see me. I didn’t know what he was happier seeing; me or the packets of Egusi, Crayfish and Ogbono I bought for him. I told him and his friends my ordeal with Immigration officers and we talked and laughed about it. Our conclusion was that USA is the most hated and most loved country in the world.

Atlanta is a lovely place. I enjoyed my tour of Georgia Aquarium, CNN, World of Coca Cola, Martin Luther King Centre and so many other places I visited. The shopping was fun too. I love food so I must mention the wonderful restaurants I visited. Red Lobster.

For guys who like to insert engagement rings in food and drinks, don’t try that with a Pina Colada. Nothing should obstruct the free flow of that drink. Hibachi buffet is not a fitness centre and should be avoided by babes observing their weights. They know how to prepare great and delicious sea foods. It was there I first ate mussels, clams; though they are the lesser sense making foods.

I had a wonderful road trip and exploration of Charlotte, Maryland, Richmond Virginia, Delaware, Washington, New Jersey and New York. I was very happy reuniting with my uncle in New Jersey. He has been married for years and that was my first time of meeting his wife and kids. I was treated like a little celebrity because I visited on my own. Nobody sent me an invitation. I didn’t come for medicals or academics. I just came to spend my money. I didn’t have plans of staying back either. My respect level catapulted immediately. My uncle amuses me. The man refused to give me any dollars. He kept telling his friends that his rich niece was in town. He was arranging me for his friend that was searching for a wife. Watch out for that story.

New York City – beautiful place. From Madison Square Garden to Time Square (where I met a real life magician and a naked cowboy) to Staten Island ferry (where you get to see the Statue of Liberty), I absolutely enjoyed myself. The remodeled World Trade Centre gave me mixed feelings but I was happy to see it and walk around it. NYC was more fun because I had a wonderful companion by my side, the uncle’s friend. This was the only situation where my wallet was inactive. Guy took care of me.

I am still touring but I have come to realize certain things. There are beggars too in America. People who are not deformed in any way. On CNN, a beggar started abusing a man who didn’t give him alms. The next thing I heard was, “yo motherf**ker, you don want me to eat huh?” One told me, “hey lady, can I have a quarter? I need me a cold beer”. The manner tripped me and I gave him a quarter. I also had another beggar encounter in Newark.

The legalization of tips in America is what I don’t understand. In restaurants and most places you are expected to give tips with smiles. Sometimes, one is told what to give as tips. If you don’t tip well, you are instantly told or the money is rejected, for you to dig deeper into your pocket.

Americans are “lazy” people. That is why they keep inventing ways to make their lives better. So many drive-throughs. Drive-through car wash. You don’t need to get down from your car. Just insert your dollar bills and the machines will wash your car, (including tyres) dry the car and bid you goodbye. American wonder indeed.

You also don’t need to enter the banking hall. Just sit in your car. Fill your cheque and pass through the machine that sends it up to the cashier. Money comes down to you. Obodo amaka o (country is good). I even heard that there is drive through marriage ceremony. I wish I witnessed one.
I also learnt that you accept free rides to your own detriment. The driver is scared of you and you are scared of the driver. Even if armed robbers are attacking you, nobody is interested in giving you a ride. The best they can do for you is to call 911.

America is a bills country. You must work because you must pay your bills. Everything works so you are happy paying. Most times, one finds out that one doesn’t save much if one only works a job. That is why when the frustration is too much to bear, they commit suicide or murder. It is here that I saw lazy men who make women work to feed them. Though I witnessed this more with the blacks. Woman dey work. Man dey chop the money. I met househusbands.

I must give it to USA. This is a country that likes truth. They tell it and they expect it. America is a country that gives. They always send aids to ailing countries. One lady even paid for my latte when I left my wallet in the car. She wanted to spare me the energy of walking up and down. Another thing I love about America is the way they love and who they love. A female doctor can marry a shop attendant. Nobody cares as long as you are happy. This is not very obtainable in Nigeria. In America too, people drive themselves. I saw a Congress man driving himself. You only know he is a Congress man by his number plate and not by the convoy with him.

The most important thing I learnt is the reason most Nigerians stay back. Life in the U.S. is hard. People back home do not understand that. One is being pressured to come home and execute so many projects. Most people want to come back home but they will be termed failures, so they stay back. Some others want to come too but they can’t because they don’t have complete papers. Instead of coming to Nigeria to start all over, they remain in America. There are those too who are financially reckless who find it hard to save.

I am still enjoying myself and learning more. Who knows where the knowledge will come in handy! The next stop is……