On other trips abroad, I had always made sure to learn this one phrase in advance. "I'm vegetarian." Just a short phrase in most languages, but it saves you a load of trouble.
Yesterday evening, I found myself wandering hungry and, after one week, still not having learned this phrase. (Whether out of carelessness or a certain fascination with my own helplessness, I am not sure; I suspect the latter.) I looked from barbecue joint to barbecue joint in mounting desperation, and finally went in to a place that seemed to serve noodles. I tried the combination pantomime and drawing routine that had been reliable so far. The woman in the shop frowned at first, and then with great conviction indicated that she knew just what I wanted.
She came back with a tray bearing white rice, kimchi, and a steaming bowl. I nodded thanks and reached in hungrily with my chopsticks to discover--
great big chunks of beef, still on the bone.
I ate my rice and kimchi. I cried pitifully into my napkin.
Eventually, I found another restaurant and had a totally delicious meal.
And first thing this morning I got one of my students to write down in my notebook:
"I am vegetarian."
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2 comments:
darling bee i love you! and your blog! :-) :-) :-) !!!!!!
LOL. Fortunately I'm not a vegetarian, but I remember when I took French, one of the students had an aversion to eating Fish or Seafood, so we spent an entire lesson practicing "Je suis allergique de tout le fruit de la mer" (forgive my mistakes... but you get the idea).
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