While walking around Scoville Park on Nov. 5, Bearlyn Anugraha Charles, 24, of India, stopped to answer a few questions for the Oak Leaves.
Q: What brings you here?
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A: I’m actually just here in Chicago for work, I’m on a business trip from India. I’m in software. This is my first trip anywhere outside India. I’m seeing winter and fall for the first time. I love how clean the city is.
Q: What area of India are you from?
A: The south region, Chennai. I’m just in Oak Park today. I ran into someone at a music store who invited me to their church, Unity Temple. Oak Park is kind of laid back compared to downtown.
Q: What did you think of Unity Temple?
A: It was nice. I loved the choir.
Q: Anything that’s been surprising in the time that you’ve been here?
A: The entire country has been surprising, since it’s my first experience here. I came from a place where it never gets below 80 degrees.
Q: Favorite food from home?
A: Briyani. It’s famous; it’s made from rice. We eat a lot of spicy dishes. In India, spices matter. Here, there’s a lot of cheese.
Q: Any other thoughts on cuisine differences between India and America?
A: I’m a huge tea person. Here, people don’t add much milk. Here, I see a lot of black tea flavors, chamomile and Earl Grey. I’m getting used to it. Bacon is my new favorite thing. I tried it for the first time, and I liked it. Pancakes are new to us, too. I had that at breakfast.
Q: Last movie you watched?
A: “Gone Girl.”
Q: Last book you read?
A: Right now, I’m reading “And Then There Were None,” by Agatha Christie.
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.