The "Goin' Chinese" Story

It was an ordinary day. Heading out to supper on the island of Barbados. Being it's the off-season and we have no rental car yet, our choices are somewhat limited. We have tried every restaurant except one. Tonight we are heading there. CHINESE!! My least favorite, but my wife and two traveling companions enjoy it, so I will suffer through it. Place called "Oriental Dining". Very original! Up the stairs and we are greeted by our server Ben. Ben is the best part of the evening!! He came to Barbados a few months ago from Shanghi, China knowing zero English. Has a 7 month visa before he must decide to return or renew the visa. We had a great time with the language thing. And, Ben enjoyed the experience, also, I think. Drink orders started with the other three ordering bottles of Lemon Twist, a Banks Beer product. I decided I just wanted a Coke, since I had just finished two Twists before we left for the restaurant. After he had written it down, I changed and asked him for a Piña Colada. "Scratch the Coke?" he said. "Yes, please," I said. So he scatted the Coke and wrote my new choice. Then, much to everyone's dismay, I said, "No, make that a rum and Coke." Again he said, "Scratch the Piña Colada?" I nodded yes. Drinks arrived quickly and mine was 2/3 full; and it tasted like rum only. Carol ordered for me, since I have no idea about Chinese food. We both had sweet and sour chicken with a huge plate of white rice to share. Just Sue ordered the same, but with chow mein instead of rice. Jerry had shrimp and mushrooms. And, did he pay!! Ate a forkful and smoke came out his ears and nose. Now, he loves hot food, but he could only eat half. Lips, tongue, throat and every other part of his digestive system was either numb or on fire. Ben was enjoying watching, since we were his only customers. See, I'm not the only one who doesn't like Chinese. Jerry downed a quick glass of ice water, but didn't relieve the burning. Ben brought styrofoam trays for all, but Jerry. No more for him. Jerry and Just Sue decided they each wanted an extra bottle of Twist to take home with them and asked Ben for two more with the tops still on. Shortly he brought our checks and the caps from their empty bottles. He laughed with us as he returned for two more. He was a great waiter as well as a fine young guy and stood for a photo with me. For me, he was the best part of the meal. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - while visiting Barbados I am using my iPad2 and am not able to crop photos or change fonts in Blogger.