Translation

My role at work is global. It's not often that I travel but when I do it's to The Netherlands or China. The Netherlands is amazing and beautiful. China is amazing and beautiful. The Netherlands is easier. Most people speak English but Dutch is pretty easy to sort of translate. Chinese, not so much. After a few days on the subway we could recognize some of the symbols. Like three.

The thing about China, is that everyone is very welcoming and friendly. Especially at the hotels. The concierge especially.

Need a car?
Need a cab?
Need a contact to buy pearls from because you absolutely need to buy your wife some jewelry? Done.
Need Tylenol because you are absolutely getting a cold and feel like you might die?
Done.

Need eye drops because your eyes are used to the amazingly clear and clean Pacific Northwest air and the air in China is not so clear?
Done.

Maybe.

He spoke some English. The ask for eye drops was tricky. I showed him what I meant. He said he'd look into it. There was a decent amount of charades done.

While I was waiting for the car to take me to the office he came over and showed me a photo of something. All in Chinese. He asked, earnestly, 'For blood in eyes'?

Blood in eyes.

"Yes! Yes, blood in my eyes."

"For 50 RMB I can have them in your room when you return from the office."

"Perfect," I handed him the money. For 150 RMB ($9 American) I would have Tylenol and eye drops in my room in eight hours or so.






When I returned that afternoon, I hurriedly opened the packages waiting on the table for me. The Tylenol looked like ours, just with Chinese writing. The eye drops, not really. But for me, it was impossible to know. Plus, I was desperate. My eyes were itching, burning and
glowing red.

I took out my contacts and opened the eye drops. For an instant, I thought, "maybe I should have this translated".

Minty tears.

I dismissed the thought. That would add another 20 minutes onto waiting for the drops. I was clear, he was clear. "Blood in eyes" is a pretty clear statement.

I pulled the lid off, pulled my eye lid open wide. So wide. Squeezed.

And, screamed.

The minty mouth drops splashed into my right eye with force. My eyelid slammed shut. The tears came. The swearing started.



I should have had the label translated.