Across the River - My Sophomore Year in the USA

Author: Liu Chang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Marshall is in Minnesota, and Rapid City is in the southwestern part of South Dakota, the two are very far apart. So every time my "outsider" has to make "special arrangements," being "forced" to take a plane between them. However, there are no direct flights between the two, and you have to transfer in Denver, fly to Sioux Falls, and then drive to your destination. For this dramatic journey, I can only resign myself to it. When I arrived in Sioux Falls, it was almost 10 p.m. I was arranged to stay with a family of AFs volunteers. They are a couple in their late fifties—Bill and Ann. They are kind elderly people who both taught at Lincoln High School and are now retired. The furniture and decorations are exquisite and cozy. Through conversations with them, I learned that over ten years ago, they once hosted a Japanese girl. There were many anecdotes and laughter during that time. Now that girl (she must be in her thirties now) works in Boston. Last year, they even visited her in Boston. When they talked about this, Bill's mouth was filled with a smile. I couldn’t help but feel deeply moved. People from different cultures, living on both sides of the ocean, have formed a bond that has not been forgotten even after more than ten years. I think my host family and I will be the same. The next morning, Bill drove me around the city of Sioux Falls. It could be described as a quick tour, or perhaps a whirlwind visit, because I had to head to Marshall an hour later. Even sitting in the car, I was deeply captivated by this largest city in South Dakota. It wasn’t a bustling metropolis; perhaps due to the tranquility of the morning, it felt more like a peaceful small town. The houses and shops, built with special bricks, were rustic yet elegant. The trees were not as desolate and majestic as those in Rapid City but were quite delicate and refined. The warm sunlight on the rooftops and treetops, awakening the entire city. As the car drove into the downtown area, the streets were lined with unique shops that were quite stylish but quite deserted. Bill said that since the opening of Walmart and shopping malls, the small shops in the downtown area have declined. People prefer to drive to the shopping malls to shop rather than stopping by these stores. I once read in a book by Linda that Walmart has a significant influence extending about twenty miles. It represents technology, efficiency, and mass production, while the exquisite shops represent leisure, uniqueness, and local culture. P35