While waiting for my bus one Thursday afternoon, I saw an Obaa-chan walking her dog. I smiled at her and waved hi at the cute dog.
Most of the time, when I do this, Nihonjins just smile back and continue on their way, wherever that is. Sometimes, they don’t even bother and will just ignore me. 😅 But this Obaachan stopped and suddenly talked to me in Japanese. 😱 I could only understand bits of what she’s saying since I only know basic vocabs and sentences at the moment.
I smiled sheepishly and said, “Gomenasai, Obaachan. Nihongo ga amari wakarimasen. Chotto… Yukkurihanashite kudasai!” 😭 Meaning I only know very little Japanese and I didn’t understand her. I also asked her to speak slowly.
She spoke again slowly, still smiling. I understood that she was asking me where I was from and that I looked Japanese, so she spoke to me in Nihongo. Then she continued to ask me where I live in Sendai. “Ayashi ni sunde imasu. Watashi wa ALT desu.”(I live in Ayashi. I am an ALT.) and pointed towards Osawa Sho.
“Ahhh! Naruhodo.” I told her her dog is very cute so I said hi. She said thank you before waving goodbye.
Mejo pinagpawisan ako on a very chilly snowy day in Sendai sa biglaang Nihongo practice. 😂
