HAIMING XIA

As I walked through the West Coast Farmers Market, the aroma of fried food swirled around me. The vendors and the shoppers, engaged in small talk as they loaded bags with fruits, handmade jewelry or even moisturizer, were interrupted by children demanding attention. 

As I looked around, I saw some vendors standing with their families and handing their children flyers, instructing them to hand them out to shoppers. Some vendors stood alone, looking slightly bored, but lighting up when shoppers approached. Some looked worried; maybe because the market was less bustling than it normally is. 

And as the early morning chill receded and rays of sunlight enveloped the stalls with warmth, I decided to talk to two of them.

​

“I’m selling bao. It’s called Bánh bao. My company sells it, it’s a traditional Chinese food. The biggest challenge I’ve faced, I think [is to] come to America because I’m from China. I want to change my life; I don’t want to stay in China because I want to have a better life so I came to America. Sorry about my English. I immigrated here one year ago. Every Sunday and every Saturday, I come to Farmers Market. I have market in Foster City on Saturday and Cupertino on Sunday. Sometimes business is very good, sometimes, maybe it depends on the weather, maybe not good.”

​