April 16, 2007
Early this morning GuMa kindly accompanied me to the train station, and saw me off as I departed for Hualein. It was a 2.5 hour ride. I’ll have to catch the view on my way back to Taipei, because I slept most of the journey. Jet lag must be wearing off because I’m no longer as awake in the mornings as I had been (a short-lived abnormality).
I had a bit of time between my arrival in Hualein and the pick up time for my ride. So I took the opportunity to wander around and find some items I’d been needing. Then I found a café to relax in. Actually, in typical fashion, the café found me.
“Have you eaten? Yes? How about something to drink? No? You like coffee? No? How about tea? Sit down! Sit down here. You want to eat this fruit first?” (pointing to papaya)
Okay, I’d like cold milk tea and that delicious-looking papaya… Oh, you don’t sell the papaya—just for the staff? Okay, no papaya. Just the tea… What’s this? Free sample of doughy snack? Tastes good, thank you… Buy a big one? … Oh okay—that’s 30 cents…
For a moment I feel like a sucker for being reeled in so easily. Then I remember that I was looking for exactly this place—a comfortable, air-conditioned resting place with chilled beverage, and friendly atmosphere. So I sit back and enjoy the moment.
I get to practice my Mandarin too—and they their English. They are very nice, and one of the waiters and I have a long chat in Chinglish. By the end of it, I do get a plate of papaya after all, and another snack, on the house.
Such a pleasant afternoon. The post office lady didn’t charge me for my postcards. And all the store keepers were very patient as I tried to work around my small Mandarin vocabulary to communicate that I was searching for a small dolly because my duffle bag has begun to strain at the seams. (hee hee, sorry Dad!)
Early this morning GuMa kindly accompanied me to the train station, and saw me off as I departed for Hualein. It was a 2.5 hour ride. I’ll have to catch the view on my way back to Taipei, because I slept most of the journey. Jet lag must be wearing off because I’m no longer as awake in the mornings as I had been (a short-lived abnormality).
I had a bit of time between my arrival in Hualein and the pick up time for my ride. So I took the opportunity to wander around and find some items I’d been needing. Then I found a café to relax in. Actually, in typical fashion, the café found me.
“Have you eaten? Yes? How about something to drink? No? You like coffee? No? How about tea? Sit down! Sit down here. You want to eat this fruit first?” (pointing to papaya)
Okay, I’d like cold milk tea and that delicious-looking papaya… Oh, you don’t sell the papaya—just for the staff? Okay, no papaya. Just the tea… What’s this? Free sample of doughy snack? Tastes good, thank you… Buy a big one? … Oh okay—that’s 30 cents…
For a moment I feel like a sucker for being reeled in so easily. Then I remember that I was looking for exactly this place—a comfortable, air-conditioned resting place with chilled beverage, and friendly atmosphere. So I sit back and enjoy the moment.
I get to practice my Mandarin too—and they their English. They are very nice, and one of the waiters and I have a long chat in Chinglish. By the end of it, I do get a plate of papaya after all, and another snack, on the house.
Such a pleasant afternoon. The post office lady didn’t charge me for my postcards. And all the store keepers were very patient as I tried to work around my small Mandarin vocabulary to communicate that I was searching for a small dolly because my duffle bag has begun to strain at the seams. (hee hee, sorry Dad!)
1 comment:
Deme! I miss you so much!! i know that you are having an amazing time and are learning so much and hvaing some amazing experiances!1 I lvoe to hear all your stories and waht you have been doing! I just got surgery yesterday so I am jsut haning out at home this week.. :) haha but I lvoe to hear everything and am excited to hear and see pictures of everything!
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