Sooooo you may have imagined that one of the difficulties of living abroad is the language.
It is one of ours, especially when we want to order food.
We've become big fans of restaurants that have picture menus. Or that are super busy so we can walk around with the waitress and point to what looks good. In fact, our conversations when we talk about new restaurants with friends usually go like this:
US: "We found a great new restaurant!"
FRIEND: "Really?! Did the menu have pictures?"
So you see, we are not the only ones who use this method of determining what is a good restaurant vs a bad one.
Anyways, there is a great little hole in the wall that I like to go to. The Ayi (Auntie in Chinese--used similar to Ajuma or Emo to my Korean friends), is super nice and patient. Today Ed and I went to there to eat. Usually there are other people in the restaurant, so we can point to what they are eating and we can eat it. That wasn't the case today. No one was there. Just us.
Today we ordered our food by going into the kitchen and hand picking our food. Yup, I pointed to the meat I wanted. Pointed to the veggies I wanted. And they made it. And it was really good. Sometimes, if they are really patient and not super busy, they'll just bring us food that they think we will like. We don't have to do anything but sit there and smile (and of course make the universal gesture for "I don't know").
And the Ayi always is super happy to see us! That's the amazing part. I don't think she ever mutters (in Chinese of course) "Damn, those stupid white people are here again. I don't know what the hell they want to eat. I'd wish they go away!"
To me she is always saying "Hi! Welcome gorgeous white people who don't speak Chinese. Wow you have pretty smiles. I like your noses. Do you want to eat meat today? How about some nice tomatoes and eggs? You know what, I'll give you some eggplant and potatoes covered in delicious gravy. And rice. You'll love it. Sit right down. I'll be back with your food soon. Keep smiling and don't worry."
And that is reason enough to love Asia. People will feed you. They want to give you food that you will like. They want to make you happy. They do it with a smile. Before coming to Asia, I was worried about eating. "How would we order food if we don't speak the language?" I wondered. Now I know. Pictures help. Pointing is the best. But a smile, a shrug and a good attitude goes a lot further.
