Coming to Texas
It was a hot sweltering summer day when I arrived at the Dallas Fort Worth international airport on June 25 1999. As a newly arrived immigrant I have no idea what the temperature will be when I start my journey. Emigrating from Addis Ababa Ethiopia to Dallas Texas was challenging until I settle and start a better life for the better.
I didn’t know it would be this hot on summer in Texas. I will never forget the moment when I walked out from the airport and the wave of hot air flourshied my skin and immediately made every pore of my body produce sweat First I taught I am getting sick, may it was a sign of fever. Also the way I was dressed, I look like i was going to Colorado spring for ski. While I was waiting to be picked up by my relatives at the airport, I smelt a burning of concrete by the Texas heat.
One of the many challenges as a new immigrant coming to a new country was a communication problem. While I was in school, I learn some English lessons, but not at the level to communicate with other people. Waiting outside the airport I have to make a phone call, I realize that t don’t have any change in my pocket. Then I have to use sign language to explain the lady sitting next to me. She was gracious to let me use her mobile phone. Beside that when I was interviewed by immigration and custom officials as all new arriving immigrants do, was unable to communicate with the officials, so they have to bring interpreter to explain what they are saying. I addition while we were on the plane a flight attendant asked me what kin d of food I would like to eat, she realizes that I was not able to communicate she has to bring the whole menu with the picture of the food on it, so I can choose.
My home country Ethiopia is well known for food shortage and hunger and famine, not the case in the state. I was astonished by the amount of food available at the grocery store, also the amount of...