Lessons from Granny

Text by Lena Gidwani Translation by Emma Xu Photo by CFP

Lessons from Granny

Text by Lena Gidwani Translation by Emma Xu Photo by CFP

Today, I must confess.

I'm not the dog and cat lover that I pretend to be.

There, I said it. It's taken me years and years to admit this. I know it's fashionable to be one, and my darling husband would be tremendously disheartened if he read this. But frankly, I just don't see the fascination. Sure, they're cute and adorable, and make great companions, but so are hamsters and flsh, and I'd rather much keep them. Anyway, moving on.

I was in my local traditional Chinese medicine market recently. A peaceful sanctuary in which I have always enjoyed exploring the wonderful visual impression and facets of this age-old market. I was strolling along, when out of the blue I heard the sweet sounds of song, the most exquisite song I've had the pleasure of hearing. Enthralled, I followed the sound, and it brought me to a small, almost insigniflcant shop. An older lady stood there, surrounded by bales of dried produce. She lookedaround 60, maybe even 70. And there she was, just singing away in all her glory. I turned around, thinking that perhaps I was in the way of a hidden camera or heaven forbid, her lover. I was right… just behind me, stood a man, smiling, his hair black, his arms strong. He had a sensual light in his eyes. It was enthralling, watching them look at each other with wide-eyed flxation.

COLUMNIST'S PROFILE Lena Gidwani is a

resident of Guangzhou for 13 years, self

confessed networker, magazine editor and

an avid writer.

Lena Gidwani，网络工作者、杂志编辑、作家，在广州居住13年。

To cut a long story short, Granny was admiring her husband, who as it turned out, turned 80 that day. I was astonished.

“80? Wow! He looks so young!” I proclaimed, surprised to hear his age.

Granny had a twinkle in her eyes as she softly whispered, “It's the dried seahorse tonic. He's been drinking it since he was 30! In Guangxi, we always say “常吃海马，八十公公老来少 (eating seahorses keeps that 80-year-old Granddaddy young)!”

Granny had plenty to share with me. Farmed seahorse tonic, she said, has been a local delicacy for over 2,000 years, and used widely in traditional Chinese medicine to enhance a man's… well, virility. They're also good for lowering cholesterol, treating ailments and so on. Now, let's get one thing clear: seahorses are treasured, and flercely protected in China. They are only legally used for medicinal purposes when farmed locally. Traditional Chinese medicine doctors say that one must take it regularly, and cannot expect to see effects in a short time.

Farmed seahorses. Of course, I should have guessed. I had to smile. Granny sure was a lucky girl. Then again, so was Grandpa.

Now, just for the record, I've never had seahorse, and neither am I inclined to. I'm just not the type. The only ones I've had, and will ever have, are those delicious chocolate ones from Guylian.

Sometimes, all you have to do is listen. Or wander around a local Chinese market. Thanks, Granny. I'll have to remember your tip when my darling husband gets older…

老阿婆教我的事儿

我最近爱去本地的中药市场——一处世外桃源。我正沿街闲逛，忽然飘来一阵甜美的歌声。如痴如醉，我循着歌声，走到一间不起眼的小铺子。一位老阿婆站在里面，被一捆捆干货团团围住。她看起来约莫六七十岁，正仪态万方地放声歌唱。想着自己也许挡住了隐藏的镜头，或阻隔了她与爱人，我转过身来。果不其然……就在我身后，站着一位男人，他头发乌黑，臂膀壮实，嘴角含笑，眼中漾着春光。他俩痴情对望，看着煞是迷人。

长话短说，阿婆很崇拜她的丈夫，那天他刚满80。我惊得目瞪口呆。

“80？哇！真显年轻啊！”我夸道。

阿婆的眼睛闪着光，柔声说道，“他30岁就开始喝干海马泡的药酒了！广西有句俗话,‘常吃海马，八十公公老来少’。”

阿婆倾囊相授。海马，她说，是当地流传了两千多年的珍馐，也是应用广泛的中药材。海马可以……咳，壮阳，还能降低胆固醇,调理身体。海马在中国是国家级保护动物，只有以人工养殖的海马入药才不犯法。中医说要长期服用，短期内是见不到明显药效的。

海马？我努力保持微笑。老阿婆真幸运，老爷子也是。

我发誓，我从未养过海马，也不想一试，还是海马形的巧克力更适合我。

不过，有一天当我亲爱的丈夫老去时，说不定我会记起今日所学……