First, I was asking the direction to go to the supermarket. At that time, I felt that I understood the direction,, "go straight turn left turn right and on and on.." Then he explained it once more time just to make me clear which way to go. I was feeling that I heard all the words he was saying. I was so happy following the direction,, In my heart I said to my self that I would be so confident walking along the way with full spirit of knowing the new place....but it turned out that I had not fully understood what he was taking about as the native speaker spoke very quickly and I quickly forgot his explanation. I only remembered the first and the last words of him,,, the middle parts of the speech had gone away,,,,,,, and as you may guess, I got lost in the middle of nowhere.... and it happened more than once,,, I have a list of experiences in getting lost,,, in people's land,,,, and it really feels like I am getting lost in the jungle of big buildings without knowing where is north, south, west, east,,, and you know the weapon for coming out from the jungle is the bravery to ask the very unknown persons you meet on the way,,,,, approach them and just ask, and they will show you the very right way.. though you only understand very first words,,, then you can ask another person, and go on asking until you find the place,,,
You know, sometimes it is advantageous of pretending to get lost when you need a partner to practice your confidence in speaking,,, you can ask and listen,,, you know you can practice both your speaking and listening at the same time for free. So do not worry if you get lost,,, there are many of us who ever experienced being lost even when they were in the very close area from their apartment...and sometimes people really feel willing to get lost with the one they love,, just to spend the time longer though actually they know the right ways,,, you never know whether you really get lost, or you pretend to get lost,,,,,
Second,,I once got a call from a staff in the woman clinic, in the capital hospital. They asked me whether I needed the treatment, and I said yes. Then I was asking the place as I never went to that clinic.. Then the person asked me whether I have pin. Then I got confused,, pin? pin What? what pin? PIN like we use in ATM? pin means code? oh God, what pin? I do not have it,,,,,,,, Do we need the pin to go to see the doctor in the hospital? I was wondering why she asked the pin... then I just kept silent, not talking,,, then the lady said " If you have a pin, I will give you the direction, you can take note or draw"..... OMG,,,,,,, I understand now that she was asking about the "pen." In the country where I was studying, they pronounce pen as pin...This experience teaches me to really pay attention to the pronunciation of different people living in different countries,,, there is no right or wrong but,,,, it is just a matter of the way we pronounce the words.... Each time I remember this experience, I laugh as I am like a silly lady being confused just because of one English word "pen" which actually I know very well, I use frequently,, but because of different pronunciation, I find it hard to understand the message from the native speaker.
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