Exploring Two Worlds

The journey started at a swap meet located near Indian School Rd in Phoenix, Arizona. As I drove into the parking lot, there was an overwhelming feeling of being misplaced. Although the location seemed like a diverse community, it still felt uncomfortable (foreign). I turned off my vehicle and proceeded to close my door, in this moment there was groups of people like herds of cattle hearing the bell ring for food, rushing to the entrance with a wary look on their faces. These groups of people were dressed in their work clothes which matched their transportation (construction, painters, movers, car auto etc.)

I assumed there had to be good sales. I walked towards the entrance while bypassing a cart on wheels selling cinnamon churros (a twisted bread dessert), snow cones, cinnamon covered almonds and popcorn, the smell filled the air. Once I entered the building I had to purchase a ticket at a booth. The sight was amazing, different units selling varieties of products such as belts, perfume, cooking equipment, weapons, rugs, religious items (catholic, Buddhist, Christian, and Hinduism), cleaning supplies, tools, hair products and clothing, all of which was low priced.  In correlation to the items, the units carried a cultural background as well and diverse groups of people (Oriental, Hispanic, African-American, Native American, Jamaican, Indonesian and Caucasian) for example; designs integrated in the materials of the products conveyed distinctive historical pieces, units covered with pictures representing a particular nationality and particular types of clothing the owners wore. I ventured further to the back of the swap meet and noticed mini restaurants such as a Native American restaurant selling Indian fry bread which had different types of recipes (strawberries crème or beans and cheese with beef), Mexican food and Jamaican but a specific smell caught my attention. Surprised, I discovered a southern cuisine restaurant (majority African-American) which had similar foods I grew up with in Dayton, Ohio and Tupelo, Mississippi. The smell of collard greens, cornbread, smothered pork chops, fried catfish, sweet yams and deep fried chicken triggered memories of my childhood. Quickly without a second thought I began to indulge in the menu, picking out each food that reminded me of home. I was pleased with hospitality of each restaurant I explored, I began to notice in the Native- American and Mexican restaurant young women (teenage) with an uncle or father overseeing cooking and selling to customers while in the African –American restaurant, women seemingly in their forties or fifties were cooking with their children (teenage boys). The Similarity that stood out between the restaurants was each were family owned and integrated family recipes from decades ago.

I concluded my journey at the Arrowhead mall located in Glendale, Arizona, while approaching the entrance I immediately noticed the lack of urgency, clothing and transportation (personal vehicles) of the people surrounding the mall. The entrance had four restaurants before you reached any stores that sold clothing. The plethora of stores and smells overloaded my senses, I became a disoriented consumer.  Groups of people (friends and families) majority walked the paths and seldom did I see an individual without anyone accompanying them. The stores were mainstream pop culture excluding ethnic backgrounds, particular type of people owning the store and integration of culture in products. Hours passed and the continuous cycle of strollers, window shoppers, some of the same faces walked out with one or a few bags. I investigated why consumers are leaving with less bags. I checked each store looking in categories of need, wants and possible gifts. The price tag stood out and how mentally drained I was after sifting and I thought this must be the reason. In summation, I observed the worker (proletariat) shopping for need in which the swap meet provided majority of at low priced. The mall however catered to the wants of the consumer and popular products (expensive), some products with limited uses.