Who Knew?

The other day I was shopping and had everything on my list…except for taco seasoning. It’s not something we usually buy, since it can’t be found in most stores, but the store I was in at the time often carries a few foreign food selections. So, after going up and down each aisle twice, I decided I would put my much-practiced, but rarely-used, Japanese to use. I didn’t know (quite obviously) the word for “taco seasoning,” so I thought I would just ask for the “taco” section. I didn’t know “taco” either, but, since it is a foreign word, and most foreign words are basically the same as in their native country with just a slight Japanese accent, I thought I would be okay. So, mustering up my courage, I called out to the nearest grocery worker “sumimasen!” (excuse me). He turned around, looked at me, turned back, turned around again, and then decided he would be equally courageous and help the poor helpless foreigner. In (what I thought was) perfect Japanese, I asked, “Taco-wa doko desu ka?" (where are the tacos?) He nodded in understanding; I felt all warm and fuzzy and proud inside, and then he motioned for me to follow him. We walked past the snack section, past the dog-food section, into the vegetable and fish section and by this time I was getting a little confused. But, then he proudly displayed it…Tako…octopus.
Not quite what I had in mind for supper.