We don’t do our own laundry. There is a “self help” laundry facility available to us with a few machines and soap and such, but few of us have the time to go get that done. Most of us go to one of the several contracted laundry points and drop off our dirty clothes, then return sometime later and pick it up. It’s sort of clean, sort of dry, sort of folded (usually inside out). Good enough for field work. War is hell…
The laundry guy has become my buddy over the last month. It all started when I went in the first time to drop off my bag. I said, “It’s my first time, so I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to do.” The guy looks at me and says…..Something. I stare at him.
Nope. Didn’t get it.
He says it again. Same result.
He says it a third time.
I say, “Sorry. I have no idea what you are saying.”
He says, “You don’t understand me?”
I say, “Nope. Sorry.”
He takes a big breath and says “First time?”
Ahhhhhh! I got it that time! “First time! Yes! Yes, it is. First time.”
He smiles and says, “Welcome.”
I hand him my bag and fill out the paper.
He looks at the paper and tries to say my last 4 (SSN, it’s how the laundry is tracked…And taxes). He gets it wrong. I correct him with a smile. He gets it right. Success!
He hands me the slip and I say, “How do I say this in your language?”
He says my last four in accented, but understandable English.
I say, “No, in YOUR language.”
He says it.
I say it, poorly.
He says it again.
I say it much better, but still horribly wrong.
He says it again.
I say it. “Pa-CHA-li-may-ti-ta-lee”
He bursts out “Pa-CHA-li-may-ti-ta-lee!”
I say it again. I’m rockin’ now. I got it!
He smiles, hands me my slip and says “Tomorrow. 3 o’clock.” Okay. I’ll pick up my laundry after 3pm tomorrow. At busy times it takes as long as three days.
This goes on for two weeks, or about four visits. I’ve seen him in the DFAC a few times. A few times walking around outside. Every time I see him he gives me a big smile and says “Hello, Sir! Pa-CHA-li-may-ta-ti-lee!”
I smile, say it back and drive on…
Last week, my first pickup, I showed up as I was told, 3pm the next day. I sign for my bag and happen to look down the form. I’m the only guy on the form who’s laundry is ready. That’s odd, but okay.
I go back to my room. Put away the clean clothes, pack up the dirty clothes and go back to drop off the load. Now there are two soldiers ahead of me in the laundry line, finishing their paperwork. For whatever reason, they stop and count out all of their clothes. Re-stuff the bag, and then sign their forms. The guy says to them “Three days.” They acknowledge and walk away.
I hand the guy my bag. He is noticeably “miffed” He says “These people! They count their things. One sock. Two sock. It takes too long! I am busy! It’s just me here! I wash, I dry, I fold. I’m no thief! Have you had any trouble?”
“Nooooooo.”
“They take too long! -I tell them 3-days!”
He hands me back my paper and says, “Tomorrow, 3 o’clock.”
