Pancake Lady and Man Save the Day

This morning had the potential to be quite miserable. After going to bed a bit later than usual on a work night, I was extremely confused to be blared awake from a deep state of REM by my cacophonous cell phone alarm. I glanced out my window and didn't believe it could be 6:00 already; visibility was only about 5 meters outside, as the fog penetrates the air on the 21st floor in the early morning much more than down below. Of course, after accidentally snoozing for 24 minutes (8-minute intervals), I awoke much later than I intended to, and had a late start to my day.

I keep my life in a small wristlet: my keys, my subway card, and my cash. Alas, after walking the 5 minute walk to my regular breakfast joint (AKA a man and a woman who sell delicious fried dough with eggs from a small cart), I was distraught to realize I'd left my life behind, back in the apartment. This meant not only did I have no money to pay for my breakfast (only1.8 kuai), but I also didn't have money to take my 2 buses to commute to work. I was extremely stressed because if I had to walk all the way back to the apartment, and all the way back out to the bus stop, then wait for a later bus, which would mean more traffic, I would most certainly be late for work. I started to walk away from Pancake Lady and Man, but they yelled after me in Chinese "Aimei! Aimei! Where are you going???" I explained to them that I left my money behind, and had to run back to get it before I was late for work! They not only said this was impossible, but actually looked offended that I didn't ask them to help me! They gave me my breakfast, and pushed 4 kuai into my hand for the two buses that I had to take to school, and insisted that I take it, and pay them back whenever the next time I come is.

It truly made my morning that my favorite local street food preparers feel comfortable enough with me to know that I'll make good on any debt I owe. It may be a sum of less than a US dollar, but the sentiment means significantly more.