I am reading a book about immigration and social inclusion. There is nothing in this book about the problems immigrants face with shopping, but I think it could easily be a whole other chapter.
I am fortunate in that I speak English. Most of the time, people understand what I am looking for in the stores. The problem is that I cannot find stores that carry some of the things I need. For instance, I have decided I need to buy a cheap printer. However, I cannot find a place to purchase a printer except online from Amazon. There are dozens of place I can go to get my laptop repaired, but no place to purchase a printer.
I also need make up – specifically foundation. This is easy. I can go to a pharmacy, and they do carry make up. However, I am old, and I need foundation that is multi-purpose. It should provide full coverage and address dry skin and wrinkles as well. Basically I am looking for spackling for human skin. The foundation I use is not carried in a pharmacy. Even back home I cannot get the mud I use to cover my face at Walgreen’s or CVS. Even Walmart doesn’t carry it. Normally I visit the make-up counter at Macy’s for one of three specific brands I use. Here, I have been told to try Debenham’s. Sadly, it is a ten pound, that’s fifteen dollars, cab ride away from where I live and work. If I ever figure out the bus system, I will be able to get there more economically.
There are no tater tots in the stores. There are other potato products, but no tater tots. One thing I do is cook something I would cook at home from time to time to relieve the home sickness. I can’t make tater tot casserole though, because there are no tater tots.
One thing I love about the food here, and this will sound odd, it goes bad quickly.
But Carolyn, you protest, why is that a good thing?
This means that there are fewer preservatives. Thus, the food is better for you. I am willing to shop every two or three days to avoid those icky chemicals in my food.
I am fortunate in that I speak English. Most of the time, people understand what I am looking for in the stores. The problem is that I cannot find stores that carry some of the things I need. For instance, I have decided I need to buy a cheap printer. However, I cannot find a place to purchase a printer except online from Amazon. There are dozens of place I can go to get my laptop repaired, but no place to purchase a printer.
I also need make up – specifically foundation. This is easy. I can go to a pharmacy, and they do carry make up. However, I am old, and I need foundation that is multi-purpose. It should provide full coverage and address dry skin and wrinkles as well. Basically I am looking for spackling for human skin. The foundation I use is not carried in a pharmacy. Even back home I cannot get the mud I use to cover my face at Walgreen’s or CVS. Even Walmart doesn’t carry it. Normally I visit the make-up counter at Macy’s for one of three specific brands I use. Here, I have been told to try Debenham’s. Sadly, it is a ten pound, that’s fifteen dollars, cab ride away from where I live and work. If I ever figure out the bus system, I will be able to get there more economically.
There are no tater tots in the stores. There are other potato products, but no tater tots. One thing I do is cook something I would cook at home from time to time to relieve the home sickness. I can’t make tater tot casserole though, because there are no tater tots.
One thing I love about the food here, and this will sound odd, it goes bad quickly.
But Carolyn, you protest, why is that a good thing?
This means that there are fewer preservatives. Thus, the food is better for you. I am willing to shop every two or three days to avoid those icky chemicals in my food.