One thing I love doing is going to different parts of this planet. A few years ago I went to China for the first time. I’d lived in Hong Kong when I was younger, and often looked longingly toward China as I hydrofoiled my way to Macao.
When I found out the great dam project was about to close down the Emerald Gorge on the Yangtze, I made up my mind that it was time to make that trip.
And what a trip it was! More exciting and interesting than I’d imagined.
As I made my way from Beijing to Wuhan and then onto the boat that would take me up the river, I kept running into the most puzzling signs written in English–well, almost. I’m used to dealing with non-native speakers of English, so I accepted the challenge of trying to figure out exactly what these signs meant.
What really worried me was, what if I got those message wrong? What if I did something I wasn’t supposed to do or didn’t have what they expected me to have? Call me paranoid, but armed guards make me nervous.
So here’s one sign that I’m still thinking about. I figured out the “showu” and the “tilket,” but what in heaven’s name is a “rarer?”
While you’re working on it, think about a steely-eyed soldier standing at the entrance who is watching you. You’re fumbling with your “tilket” and praying there’s a “rarer” attached.
Linda Covella says
Papers was my guess, too. Funny. What a great trip, though. I love traveling, too!
MG Higgins says
Thank goodness the sign said OR rarers and not AND.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Great guess. I think you're right.
H. L. Dyer says
Hmmm… I'll guess that the P's got swapped for R's and they meant PAPERS
Very funny.
Tricia J. O'Brien says
You made me laugh out loud! And next time I'm fumbling with a tilket I'll probably guffaw in public for no apparent reason(hopefully there will be no armed guards).
Thanks so much for visiting my blog and putting the comment on Beth's. Sooo appreciated. You have made this a happy Saturday.