Saturday, September 16, 2006

translators need apply

at a nice cafe/pastry shop in cuzco, where the floors are clean, the tables wiped down, the empanadas are the second best in south america (so far), and they sell actual apple pie - when one goes into the bathroom, one can still expect to throw the toilet paper in the garbage can. fine, just the way it is. one atually gets used to it. however, one of the more exciting aspects of throwing the toilet paper in the garbage is reading the signs posted in spanish, then translated literally int english, encouraging people to do so. an example:

We will thank to make good use
of the paper, depositing it into
the basket and avoiding the
waste of the same one, taking
care of the environment.
Thank you
WHAT!?
what physical action is to be taken upon reading this sign?
what exactly qualifies as good use of toilet paper? what same one?
i invite you to ponder this during your next trip to the bathroom.

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