"I have traveled the world and settled here
unwillingly, but my health will not
let me travel home. I've spent time in Germany, Italy, Chile,
Bolivia, French
guinea and many other countries. I've spent my life in the
Import/Export
business trading around the world. In all my travels none was quite
the experience like my first trip to America. The sense of family here
isn't like what it is back home. we spend time together on Sundays but in
America we work." This idea is present in the book Voyages,
when they talk about having to work 7 days a week to support their
families. It seem that the U.S. has started the trend to work on
Sundays. I remember when Sundays were a day of religious
relaxation and day of rest
"My first trip to the United States was quite
frightening, these barbarians are
so loud they couldn't hear what I was saying. I remember I was 27
traveling to
Michigan and after I paid for my train ticket, I actually tipped for two
because a woman traveling alone will have a sharp eye kept on me if she
tips
well. I was afraid that these ruff people would walk all over me."
The fear she talks about is such that the Mexicans coming across the
border in Open Season speak of.
I expected everyone to know who I was as a British subject you get what
you want
based on your name not your degree. In the United States you
must work hard
to be heard. When I moved to the United States I met Kap my husband
at his law
office, I was filing for my divorce. Kap worked on the 27th floor
and worked
on the 19th floor of the Penobscot building in Detroit. We then
spent many years together neighbors to Red Fox and Jimmy Hoffa, and here
is an note, we ate at the same cafe that day jimmy disappeared.
I have many fond memories of America but my best
memories are of my 600 year
home on Slines Oak Rd (Great Britain). The spring and summer the
arch of trees makes a magnificent tunnel. Though here I have my
grand children and great grand children I stated earlier that I stay here
in protest because my health keeps me here and it costs me a fortune
to pay these doctor bills. In England a subject
wouldn't pay but a few pounds for life preserving pills and they will even
take
care of my husband Kap even though he is not a British subject.
While we are talking about the differences I must tell
you these taxes are outrageous. I have spent much money supporting the
government while trying to support myself and keeping a float exporting
and importing. In England our country wouldn't think of such a thing
taking so much from my company to trade overseas.
If we are done Bill how about staying for potluck?
Note from Bill:
While Interviewing Bettie she told me many things that
happened in her life and so many stories of adventure. I learned
many differences from Great Britain and the U.S. that has opened my eyes
to another way of living.
