College Girls. Coffee News Cafe, St. Paul

1: Even if she doesn't know anything about it, she wants to have a conversation about it.

2: People who are more educated tend to want to listen more.

1: It's just such a burdening process. I'm the only person with intellect she knows, I'm the only one pushing her in the other direction. Everyone else supports what she says. It's just so good to see what's on the other side of the tracks. You learn to defend yourself, articulate your position. We went out for a drink one night and I was, like, ready to leave. They were just talking about Mexicans and how they take our jobs. I said, these are people from Central and South America, poor countries, and they come here for a better life. There was a time when America offered a better life, and Europeans came here. And I guarantee you, if Canada had a better life you'd be running for the border. And she's like, I guess you're right. And I'm like, whew, watch your mouth.

2: It's so hard for them, too. Like, they cross rivers, or stay in the back of a car for four days to get here.

1: Last week I ended up waiting at someone's house for a pregnant woman who never showed up. So then this other woman who was there started asking me questions, about what I do, about my travels in Mexico, the people I stayed with. She asked, "What do they eat over there? Did you cook them American food?" And I said, "What do you consider American food?" She said, "I don't know. Cornbread." Then we started talking about Rita, and how sad it is for these people, and how the government is letting them down. And that was really interesting. She said, "I don't know what you believe in, but the bible says you get back what you give." She was talking about karma. I don't know. You know when you're having a conversation with someone, but you're also having a sub-conversation in your head? I censor myself, because there's just so much going on up there. But it was great. I was getting paid to help this pregnant woman, but instead I'm having this interesting conversation with this other person.