Pupu…what?

I was teaching some students about El Salvador the other day. People don’t know much about it, even in America. I know, I know…it’s the size of a pea. So I have to spread the word on the motherland, if not for my sake than at least to spread the word on its super delicious food.  But sometimes students just like to tease me:

Miss Alex: So this is the traditional food we eat.

::points to picture and then the word ‘pupusa’ ::

Student: Oooo …

Miss Alex: Do you know what that is? [My mistake, I should have said “Do you know what that says?”]

Student: … Pupuzilla! 

Miss Alex: What?! No, pupusa!

Student: No, pupuzilla. 

*A pupusa is a traditional Salvadorian dish made of a thick, hand-made corn tortilla that is usually filled with a blend of cheese, beans and pork. Pupusas are typically served with ‘curtido’ (lightly fermented cabbage slaw with red chilies and vinegar) and a watery tomato salsa.

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Wai-Pi!

Funny story: I was teaching my students about Pi Day. We were talking about students in America and how they make pies and sell them at bake sales, which they don’t really have here. Then at the end of class I asked some follow-up questions.

The last question was “What kind of pie do you like?” And I got many answers like chocolate pie, apple pie, walnut pie. Finally as we were wrapping up, this teeny little girl raises her hand and very seriously says “Wai pie”. I was confused and kept saying what? and she kept repeating until slowly the other students understood what she said and started laughing.

At this point, I am the one looking lost at the Korean teacher, while she herself is trying to decipher what she meant. Finally she let’s out a loud laugh, and says to me “Wi-fi! Wi-fi, haha!”. This is super funny if you know that Koreans have a hard time pronouncing “f” so they will say “Wi-pi” for the wireless internet. What a nice witty surprise to end the day.