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My ayi. She liked having a picture taken with the TALL gal. |
I said I wouldn't.
But I did.
And I am LOVING it.
I got an ayi. (Pronounced: I.E.)
There is really no acceptable English translation for the Chinese word "ayi".
Here's my translation: ayi = maid-nanny-cook-housekeeper-janitor-assistant
It. Is. A. DELIGHT!
SHE. Is. A. DELIGHT! Although, she laughs and mumbles at the tornado that is my closet. That happens in any language though, so it's probably best I can't understand!
During my holiday I prayed about some ways to make life a little smoother here. An ayi, folks. That was the best solution ever!
Married people, especially those with children who have full-time ayi's, have said things such as, "You're single so you won't need one. " Umm, no I may not need one. But I could also say the same for you. So let's not start a debate, okay? Okay.
Yes I'm single, which means: I get to choose how I spend my time and money. My choice is to not worry with cleaning my small studio or taking my laundry across the street when I can pay someone to do it! Actually, the thought was confirmed when I arrived home from Thailand smelling the sewage-like stench in my bathroom. It is well worth it to pay an ayi just for the mere fact she may know what to do when that wretchedness comes back!
English teachers are fortunate in China. Ayi's, not so much. She probably has a family and is needing any work possible. Plus, paying an ayi for an hour is less than buying a Starbucks coffee. Sad, for many reasons.
The challenge:
Ayi's very rarely speak English.
In the classroom that is not an issue; my Chinese teacher interprets for me.
In the home, it creates a need for creativity. Thank goodness for translate apps! Even then, the translation does not often work.
For example:
Once we got to the laundry room, things became even more confusing. I've been there once before and quickly left. I could have figured it out, but being able to use a friend's washer was far more appealing at the time. My ayi had a lot of questions in the laundry room. She asked a security guard who definitely had no clue.
Thankfully, a gal came in who knew English! I'm finding that to be super rare in my part of town. It turns out she is also single and lives in my building so we will be getting together sometime soon! We both got excited about not having to eat so many dinners by ourselves!
Jeannie (her chosen English name) was fascinated to meet an English speaker from the states who was attempting to have an ayi help with some things. She asked, "HOW do you communicate when I'm not here?" I told her we use my phone and I point and make facial expressions.
I thought the evening went rather well! Until I got a text from her that I couldn't get to translate on my phone. I waited until I saw my Chinese co-teacher today and asked her. It basically said, "I will come to your place tonight at 5pm. Two nights a week for two hours. We will go to the store together to get a drying rack, pan, and mop." Ummmm
Even after texting her that wouldn't work for me, she showed up at 5pm. I showed her that I can only pay for one night a week not two and I could not pay her tonight. After a bit I left to get a massage expecting her to be gone when I returned. Nope. Still there.
Apparently I'm a softy and paid her anyway. I don't know if I got had or if it was truly lost in translation.
Next week we will see how it goes. Otherwise, I may need to bring in reinforcements to translate!
You have adventures, even with the laundry!
ReplyDeleteHa! THAT is FOR SURE!!
DeleteGreat idea to get an ayi. Could you get one for me, too?
ReplyDeleteYou most definitely need one with everything going on in your life! I have heard many people say here that if/when they move back to the states it will be a huge adjustment to not have that help. It's a nice perk here for sure!
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