Day Three of my 30 Day Vow of Silence – Teriyaki Tofu

Today was another productive day.  I spent most of it preparing new marketing material and coordinating events I will be hosting later this month.  I also moved out of one home, to spend a little time in another friends, and soon settle into my own home, up here in Encinitas.  After yesterday's car fiasco, I decided to get my bicycle fixed so that I could begin riding it around. 

When I entered the bicycle shop to ask for help, I presented the owner with my little "Silent Practice" card, and his first reaction was to kindly let me know, "I don't have time for this today," as he handed me back my card.  I could tell he thought I was a pan handler, like many of the "deaf" people I see go around with their little mini sign language cards while asking for donations.  I quickly showed him my journal in which I'd already written the reason I came into the bike shop, and his attitude shifted immediatly.  He was very helpful from that point on, and it dawned on me that many people assume that because you cannot speak, things must be spoken to you more softly or slower; as though lack of speech was a sign of intelligence.  This is something I've often noticed with foreign languages as well.  How many of you have been guilty of treating a foreigner as though they had less intelligence because they did not have a full grasp on the local language?  How many of you have been a foreigner in another country and played the part of being less intelligent because you couldn't speak the language?  Just something to take notice of.

My day continued, and as I'm new to the area, I'm having fun exploring different eating venues.  I walked into this Hawaiian place and after informing the young girl at the register of my vow of silence, made an order for Teriyaki Tofu.  The girl was super excited about the whole thing which made me quite happy.  I sat outside, excited about my meal, as I was quite hungry.  When the food came out, I've got to admit I was disappointed.  I realize now, that Tofu is not an often ordered dish at this establishment.  It was pretty much Tofu straight out of the package, cut in squares, fried up, and then soaked with Teriyaki sauce.  Very plain.  The dish was accompanied with two large mounds of white rice and some macaroni salad.  The salad was the best part of the meal.  I found myself really wanting to comment to them about the meal.  If this is the regular preparation, it's not really worth being on the menu...there other items looked delicious as I watched other patrons happily eating.  Given my vow of silence, I would have had to write down the comments, but I realized they may not come across with the compassion I wanted...and I was feeling lazy...so nothing was shared.

 I ended the day at a beautiful sound healing with Cosmic Gongs, and time spent with wonderful friends, one of which made the comment, that although I was being silent, I seemed to be the loudest one in the room.