Funny Miscommunication (Boys be warend)

The other day I was at coffee and the thought came upon me, "hey I should probably tell them I am leaving next week." I prepared for my lack of Vietnamese skills and wrote out dates and even drew an impressive map. When I finally mustered up the courage, I paid for my drink and showed her my notes. I tried to say "'bạn' (friend) and I 'đi Mỹ' (go back to America)" followed by me pointing to June 5th on the calendar I had created.



After seeing her expression I knew she hadn't understood. Then, she got an idea! She went over to the cabinet with the products they sell only to point to the pack of PADS! Oh my goodness she had thought I was trying to ask her for feminine products! If it wasn't for my determination to get this point across I might have died laughing.

Finally, after a second attempt, I was successfully able to communicate that I would 1)be leaving June 5th and 2)I would be up in Da Nang next year (to that she gave me a little pat on the arm).
Still a little wary of my point actually being made, I was relieved when I got call from her husband's nephew asking if this were true.

Even though we have not been able communicate these past nine, I have many good memories with this couple and I will miss them dearly.