Beginning in November, 2010, I lived in a small town just south
of San Francisco. This six month sojourn in America gave me lots
of adventures and I was inspired each day by normal events as
well as by unusual characters whom I met: some of my
remembrances were frightening and some of the stories I can tell
are just comic.
I recall vividly one late Friday afternoon when the weather in
San Francisco was cold enough for a young woman from a tropical
country to don her warmest coat. Christmas was nigh and the
department stores were full of shoppers eager to make the most
of the just-announced sales on their goods. As any responsible
tourist would do - and as any normal young woman would choose -
I, of course, went to the department store. I added a layer of
hopefulness to my fur-trimmed coat and went hunting for
bargains!
Even though Macy’s store in pleasant view is huge, I felt I was
up to the challenge. Following my instincts, I walked directly
towards the biggest sign in the store. Under the big, black 70%
letters, I heard a small - hoarse - voice say,
“Excuse me! Excuse me! Is this blue or green?”
I turned to see an elderly, hunch-backed woman, who had a very messy hair and
lots of make up. This woman was considering a new dress which
she was wearing atop her own clothes; her tiny Dachsund was at
her heel.
“Is this blue or green?” she repeated.
Though there were many lights in the store, it was difficult for
me to see the dress clearly and it was also impossible for me to
get too close to this woman for a clearer look. The smell
emanating from this woman - and her dog - was just awful. I
guess it had been a long time since either of them - woman or
pooch - had had a bath - and likely a secure home too.
“It’s green, I think,” I said as confidently as I could.
This woman had another look at her top garment and replied, “Oh,
I’m not sure; maybe it is green.” Even though my fellow shopper
wasn’t sure I had any color sense, she did seem to think I might
be a worthy friend, and she began to tell me all the details of
her life for ten uninterruptable minutes. I felt compassion for
this woman hearing some of the details she related, and I also
felt a little frightened that she might learn, at any moment,
that my comprehension of English was not very good. Just as
quickly as she launched her life story, my fellow shopper
suddenly brought her story to a close and looking directly at me
said,
“I really wanted a blue dress.”
And with that announcement, she turned away from me, returned
the dress to its hanger and walked away with her dog. I also
left Macy’s without a new dress that day, but I did have a
wonderful moment and memory which is preserved in the
accompanying drawing! :)
