Clean Sheets Day

Monday is Clean Sheets Day here at the CUC. It's the most glorious day of the week, and as Andrea will attest, I look forward to it very, very much. I probably mention Clean Sheets Day or the countdown to it at least once per every dirty sheet day.

The maids come every morning, very similar to a hotel housekeeping service. There is a maid "quarters" of sorts on each floor where they hang out during the day, watch TV, and do their thing. Andrea found out quickly that they also keep a plunger on hand down there. That was how we learned that in China the toilet paper does not get flushed down the throne. Put it in the trash bin next to the seat, and there will be no need for the "tou lah."

On a daily basis, the maids change our garbage cans, toss some chemicals in the toilet, and take a quick mop to the floor. They also restock toilet paper, if necessary. On Mondays, however, they really deliver the goods.

When we arrived the first night, our beds were made with a fitted sheet, a pillow, and a comforter covered with a white duvet. I never thought anything of it until the following Monday when the maid came in. I was peacefully asleep under my covers when one of the maids shook my knee to wake me. I was startled, and didn't understand her grabbing at my bed sheet and motioning to me. I waved her off, thanking her in Chinese for the gesture.

She shrugged and moved on to Andrea's bed. I laid three feet away watching them strip the one next to me and re-sheet it in about 30 seconds. They folded the blanket and stacked it with the pillow at the head of the bed.

At that moment, I prayed that they would return in the afternoon to finish my side. Clean sheets are right up there on my favorite little-things-that-make-a-huge-difference list. They never returned, and since that day, I have been counting my blessings for Mondays.

When I got home from a long and sweaty day of training at the velodrome, the sheets welcomed me with open arms. I showered and haven't left them since.

I love Clean Sheets Day.

XOXO