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Language Table in the Good Old Days

    (Update June 2021)  The Schedule at the right has been updated and is currently in effect for in person meetings.  Zoom meetings have been significantly reduced in number.  As before, please e-mail or write in the comments if you are interested in a Zoom group.  otherwise, feel free to attend any of our groups here in Bemidji at the time scheduled on the right.  Welcome back!

     COVID 19 shut down our weekly language table meetings when it shut down our restaurants last March here in Minnesota. (see my previous post, COVID 19 Septuagenarian Blues).  Beginning in April, some of our groups began meeting on the computer, via Zoom.  Although this was an excellent means to continue our language connection given the circumstances, and I plan to continue its use when it fits the circumstance, I certainly missed communicating through waves of air rather than waves of electrons.  There are some vibrations that don't transmit well in electronic waves.

     So when I heard that my favorite meeting place, the Wild Hare Bistro, was opening for take-out and outside dining, I was cautiously optimistic.

     Our Mandarin Chinese table has only two regular participants, so at our last Zoom meeting, we decided to try the Wild Hare, weather permitting.

     Upon our arrival last Tuesday, we could see that our friends who work there had worked hard to make it a safe and friendly atmosphere.  With sneeze shields, staff  wearing masks, and tables outside properly spaced, even a customer over 70 with a previous health condition like myself can feel very comfortable.

     My friend and I, sitting 6 feet apart and at least 6 feet from the other customers, greeted each other with a 你好 老朋友, ni hao lao peng you, (greetings old friend).  We talked about life, language, memorization techniques and restaurants for about an hour or a little more, said  再见, Zai jian, (see you later) and parted.  How good it felt to be in the same air space!

     I'm not comfortable with a larger group like we had in the old days yet, but that time will come.  In the meantime, for a family group or a group of two or three, try the Wild Hare Bistro here in Bemidji (web site).  You'll be happy you did.