Ironically, my last blog entry mentioned how smooth tuk-tuk rides are, but talking to the drivers, not so much.
Last Thursday morning, we had gone to the morning market and I needed to get back to the Lao-American Center to meet a friend. So I hopped on the tuk-tuk, telling him to take me there. Although he originally said he knew where it was, he didn’t! We had to stop by a few of his other tuk-tuk friends until one could point him in the right direction.
So we are driving, and he points to the side of the road, which I took as asking if it was a good drop-off point. Instead of pulling over,the driver turned the corner down a dirt road near my guest house. Heading in the wrong direction, I began trying to stay ‘stop,’ but I couldn’t think of the word! I started making weird noises, hoping he’d understand- “jop jop jop,” “yop yop yop.” I finally said “dai leo,” something that is I think like saying “ok” when something is done. Luckily he understood, and I didn’t have too far to walk home!
Now I will forever remember the Lao word for stop, “yut.”
4 Responses to “Yut!”
So it is now “tuk-tuk yut”
What a wondrous thing, learning new languages and being able to use them.
I am so proud of you Amy. I are someone that will have a far future, as not so many people in this world want to be out of one’s own comfort like you. Your experience reminds me my first trip riding subway in DC; although I know the language, but it did not help. Lateral, I learned that I had to study the metro system and the city before you step on it. Any way, leaning by doing is the best way and sure way to learn, don’t you think so.
Good luck with you journey of cross-cultural learning.
Cheers,
I am so proud of you Amy. You are someone that will have a far future, as not so many people in this world want to be out of one’s own comfort like you. This is the first step to become a world citizen. Your experience reminds me my first trip riding subway in DC; although I know the language, but it did not help. Lateral, I learned that I had to study the metro system and the city before you step on it. Any way, leaning by doing is the best way and sure way to learn, don’t you think so.
Good luck with you journey of cross-cultural learning.
Cheers,
Hi Amy,
This is definitely funny. Another word you could use is “chod,” literally mean “park” or “to stop a moving vehicle” such as a car, a cart or a plane.