Laundry

We are… perplexed, but not driven to despair;

2 Corinthians 4:8

I have been in Guangzhou China for several weeks now. Acclimation and culture shocks less difficult. The time finally arrives when I need to

(hang on…)

do the laundry.

Detergent waits to be used. Dirty clothes wait to be cleaned. Patience waits to be tested,

I remove the machine cloth cover for the first time. Ok, it somewhat resembles a washer; it has a drum that holds maybe 1.5 gallons of water. Because of my height this should be enough for a pair of pants (shorts) and my left sock.

So, I begin by separating the colors. Before putting the darks in I first measure the correct amount of liquid detergent and pour it in. The machine has buttons, switches and lights that need to be pushed, pulled and/or lit (I think).

My goal is simple: water flow.

I am smart enough (I think) to realize the specific order the buttons need to be pushed, pulled and/or lit to obtain said goal: water flow. However, I cannot figure out this order on my 河马 Chinese machine.

Anyway, no choice…so I go for it while whispering to the machine.

Push, pull, push, light on, water flow? Nope.
Push, pull, pull, push, light, water flow? Nothing
Push, push, push, pull, light on, water flow? No
Pull, pull, push, push, water flow? Not this one either.

I study the machine panel again with the belief a long hard stare will solve the problem. Nope, it still resembles a multi-step algebraic equation…in Chinese too!

I hate algebra; algebra hates me.

Since I can’t reach my goal of water flow there’s only one thing left to do: go shopping for more clothes in a country where Chinese men’s average height is 5’3”.

I stand 6’2”.

Dear Lord, Huh?

September 2013