Yoron Island Hostess Diary (5) Waitande

Thinking that I'll be saying goodbye to this hospital tonight makes me sentimental. Although, since I was delirious with fever, I don't have many memories of it.

I couldn't sleep, so I was sitting on a chair in the lobby. I was startled when an old woman spoke to me from behind in a language I didn't understand. Old women in the middle of the night are scary. Plus, I had no idea what she was saying. She kept pointing here and there, trying hard to ask me something, so I thought she was asking where I came from and said, "From the mainland," to which she replied, "Asshe, waitande!" After that, she kept saying, "Wai, wai, you poor thing..." so I thought she was sympathizing with me for coming all the way to Yoron only to get sick. Still, what is this "wai" thing? Since Okinawa is close, do the elderly speak English like "Why?"

This time, she pointed at my chest and asked something. Maybe my name? When I answered, "I'm Satoru," she let out an extra-large "Waitande!"
"Nise? Wai! Churamerabi? Nise?" She seemed flustered. I don't know what I did wrong, but at least I learned that "Waitande!" is an exclamation used when surprised.

The old woman headed toward her hospital room while still flustered. She moves faster than I thought. Three more old women poked their heads out from her room, whispering "Wai" and "Waitande" to each other. I realized that the language barrier is as bad as being in a foreign country. People around the age of Madame or Poseidon probably watch TV, but I'm going to have a hard time with the elderly. Well, I'll take that as part of the fun of working while traveling.
My working vacation starts tomorrow.

(To be continued)

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