Two months after I moved in America, I got a job at Rental Company. My title was Outer Banks Vacation Specialist, even though I could barely find my way home. It made me feel good until I was faced with challenges.
"Thank you for calling Bla-Bla Realty, this is Teuta how may I help you," what a long way to answer the phone, but I had to do as I was trained, hoping the caller wouldn't ask where I was from and what my name meant.
"I would like to rent a four bedrooms and 4 bathrooms home somewhere in Kitty Hawk," said a women with a thick voice and a heavy accent.
"When do you want to check in and out?" I asked very nervous, my fingers ready to type and my eyes on my yellow cheat stickers that decorated everything in front of me.
"The week of July fourth and we want to be right on the ocean,"
"Ok," I said and started searching but had a hard time holding the phone and typing.
"Please hold while I am searching," I said sounding like a robot. When I found few houses available I picked up the phone but only to hear snoring on the phone. I talked but she didn't wake up. So, I hung up and called her back, thanking Carolyn A. Doughty for inventing caller ID.
"Ma'am, we have a few houses available but they are pretty big, over 10 bedrooms."
"That's fine. Bigger is always better," she said laughing and I knew what she meant. I gave her a property number so she could see online.
"Can you see the ocean from the couch?"
"I don't know how the furniture is set up." What a lazy woman, I thought. She wants to spend all that money to come sit on the couch.
"If you can't see the ocean, move the sofa near the window."
"Are you sure that's ok? Will the owner be mad at me?"
"They may keep the security deposit if they have to call somebody to put it back."
"Then, I will put them back before I leave."
"What is your price range?" I asked.
"Around $1200," she said.
"I am sorry but there is nothing available for that price. Not even one bedroom condos with no water view."
"That's not true. You don't understand. This always happens to us."
"You can check the prices online,"
"You didn't even understand what I asked because I have an accent."
"Ma'am, I have an accent too, and I understood everything you said. Your English is very good," and I repeated everything she told me.
"You don't want us there because we are not Americans."
"I am not American either. I am telling you the truth; there is no vacation in Outer Banks for $1200. This is an expensive area. I am sorry I can't help you."
"Majaka Tarabotata," said the woman in Macedonian.
"Hey, leave my mother alone. It's not her fault you want to vacation in an expensive area."
"Are you a Macedonian?"
"No, but I understood what you just said."
"Oh come on, I embarrassed you and now you don't want to admit you're a Macedonian."
"My name is Teuta and I am glad, I am not Macedonian either American. Please hold, I have another call," I said, took a beep breath and went outside my office seeking help.
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