This is my ayi. Ms. Li. More or less, every expat (and thousands of Chinese families) have an ayi, or an aunt…at least in Shanghai. Actually, she was mine until I moved a few months ago and then her sister adopted me, or I adopted her, as my new apartment was too far away. Her sister was out of town the past month we got reunited Evidenced by her huge smile, she was extremely excited when I asked to take her photo.
My ayi is amazing... yes amazing. I think we all know I am not the tidiest person so she helps me in that regard. But, she is also my mom away from home, well a mom that can only communicate her opinion of my behavior to a limited degree, which I am completely fine with. She always make sure I am wearing enough warm clothing for when it’s cold, or that I have an umbrella when it’s raining. She is also one of the people I have known here the longest on the most consistent basis. I use the term “know” a bit loosely as we don’t know a whole lot about each other, due to the language barrier... but we do know each other. In fact, she probably knows more about me and my habits more so than anyone here: What I like to eat, how much wine is, or is not drunk, what days I sleep in… she brings a comforting presence to my cold apartment. Ms. Li, gotta love her.
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