My First English Lesson

I had dreams about giving my first English lesson in China.  I would be in my classroom, dressed ever so professionally, my chalkboard would be pristine and organized, and my students would be eager and ready to learn.  (I know, I know…I dream big)

My first English lesson happened a few days ago…in a shoe store.

Yes, I was buying shoes…but they were really cheap and cute!

It happened like this. 

Beth and I were on an adventure.  In that adventure, we found a coffee shop with a really nice Chinese barista who showed me where to buy my umbrella (different story to come later about Beijing monsoons).  We then wandered over to this mall of sorts.  I became super excited about a small shop overflowing with shoes.  I eagerly began to look around and with the help of the store owner I discovered my shoe size (with wool socks I am a size 40). 

After a few minutes in the store, I became aware that the store’s population had risen from 4 to about 10.  As the shop owner, Beth, and I repeatedly said my shoe size of forty and the price of forty five, I began to hear a low mumble.  As I tuned and looked, I saw 3 men at the front of the store repeating, “Forty – Five,” “Forty Five,” and “Forty Five.”  As I looked at the crowd that had gathered, which included the little ladies picking up the shoes I had tried on and the men mimicking my words, I realized that I had just completed my first English lesson.  Forty Five!