Rich's Phone and I

It was really disappointing when I arrived at Chicago for the first time in March 2010. I was going to Chicago to study English, and it seemed intimidating as much as it seemed adventurous. To be honest, as a Saudi Arabian, I was not sure how much Saudis are welcomed there under the shadow of 9/11. However, the fact that thousands of Saudi students were there made me find some solace.

Before coming to Chicago I planned to live in a homestay, with an American family. There were many offers for homestays on the internet, so I looked for those who have the most convenient location, house, and other stuff. After some contacting, I chose Rich and Sarah's homestay in the north side of chic ago, and asked them to pick me up from O’Hare airport. Every thing worked up to my plans until I arrived to Chicago's O'Hare airport.

 

Before I left home, I had some weird feelings. It was my first time in life to travel abroad for educational purpose. Therefore, My family felt sad for that, since it meant a long absence, which at the final steps made me perceive how much influential is leaving home and family. It seemed that every thing in my life will change. there were many things made me worry about them; speaking English with officers in the US airport was a challenge, but how to understand their English speech as in the native speakers accent was an obstacle. I felt that all my little English will disappear when I try to speak to any native  English speaker. All these ideas were in mind and caused me some profound contemplating.

    “Thanks God” I said, when Sarah send me that Rich will be waiting for a call from me that night I arrive to pick me up from the airport. In fact, that was something made me sanguine because it was my first time in Chicago. Everything was ready: luggage, passport, ticket, and I. I have been counting  the days and hours to the time of flight. Finally, the day came, and I took the plane.

    Chicago, city of shoulders, was my preferred choice among all other American cities. Although its climate was so freezing in the winter, it has two great English schools and all what big cities insure, such as public transportation, trains and buses. In addition, plenty of stores, restaurants, and landmarks to discover, and needless to say the Arabic groceries. I wanted to make sure that I don't get bogged down somewhere I would hate it after a while.

I was walking out from O’Hare airport while I found Rich’s mobile unreachable. A voice message saying something I couldn't understand kept coming up every time I try his cell phone. On the same moment, some piercing cold winds from what Chicago is very blessed with have touched my face for the first time, which made me shrink. I tried many time without vain to reach Rich's phone from my. I started getting frustrated and asked myself, "Is this what Sarah had given me a word about?" and "how can he just turn off his cell phone on this time specifically?" That a terrible way to escape picking me up, I thought, even if Rich found himself busy or not willing to do that he had to inform me. I felt that I 'm going to a wonderful dilemma with those people since that moment. Since I have their address with me, I decided to to take a cab.

    After 40 minutes trip, I arrived to to that house and rang the bell. There were little lights shining out from a window in the front of the house. It seemed the living room. I started thinking, “He looks like he has free time, so why the hell didn't he expected me to call"? There is something missed. The door is opened, and Rich welcomed me and  helped me with carrying my luggage. There must be a mistake, so I checked my cell phone and looked to Rich’s number which I dialed. It turned out I found that I unfortunately used the wrong US phone code. What a relieve was that because I found it before bringing that up to Rich, and of course knowing that he didn't renege on my deal with Sarah.

Sometimes one feels good to know that a mistake is his solely fault. And that was a lesson to be careful when looking to others side and judging them especially when I have no clue about their excuses.