Claire Rogers is learning Mandarin in preparation for the New Bohemians’ upcoming four month tandem bicycle trip in China and SE Asia. She is finding the language recordings interesting:

(Read with the Green Eggs And Ham in mind)

I’m progressing well and I’m so proud
these language lessons I repeat out loud.
I can say Yes, I’m an American
and, I speak a little Mandarin
I know: I know and I don’t know, too
I know Hello, Please and Thank you

I can say, when we meet,
shall we have lunch on Long Peace Street?
At the restaurant or the cafe?
Excuse me please and what did you say?

I can ask, Would you like tea with me?
Shall we go now, or at three?
I can say Miss, I’d like two beers
I’d like one there and I’d like one here.
I can ask, To the hotel? My place? Or yours?
and, Shall we go to eat at four?

And I can say Not my place or yours
Not at five and not at four
Not at one and not at two
I don’t want tea and not with you
It is impossible you see
I will not drink with you at three.
I do not want a beer
And I don’t want your beer here.

So now I am at lesson nine
and pretty soon I’ll start to whine,
for that one thing I cannot ask
(Pimsleur, I take you to task)
That which would put me most at ease
is how to ask Where’s the bathroom please?
-Claire Rogers