Life at la ristorante by Alana Patrick 5/2013
So far, we've worked two days at Momi Ristorante. The first Italian word we learned was stanka. One of the waiters: "You stanka?' Me: "I stink?! Thanks..." Later we figured out it actually means TIRED! Which we definitely are. We are on our feet all day - bussing dishes, making espressos and cappuccinos, running food, sweeping floors, the list goes on and on. Momi keeps us busy, that is for sure!
Kelly and I literally jump for joy whenever someone who speaks English comes to the restaurant. Our Italian is no molto bene to say the least.... and everyone we work with speaks sooo fast! But, the Italian is rubbing off. Even if we are completely useless at speaking the language, Kelly and I are slowly becoming Italian... Today, a rare American group came in. After we had met them and chatted for a while, one of the guys asked - in clear English - "Are you guys making pasta?" Kelly enthusiastically responded," Siiii! " Another time today, one of the customers asked me where in the states I was from and I responded, unconsciously using my best Italian accent," Meeeneeeesota!" We bring a new meaning to the phrase 'dumb American's...At least we make people laugh?
Speaking of accents, no one can pronounce our names. When I introduced myself, one of the other workers said, "Oh, like the President Franklin?" Me: "No, not Delano, ALANA." Him: "Ohhhhhhhhhhh I see, Haaahlano!" Kelly is Carly or Kahhhhlie. But, no worries, Momi came up with an obvious solution:. He renamed us!. Kelly is "Maria" and I am "Magdalena." Should we be offended? Welllll at least people know our names now...
The biggest challenge of the trip so far has been finding weeeefeeee (Italian for wifi, of course). There is NONE in the whole town of Blevio! We asked Momi about three times, and he was no help. But then today, we saw him on the internet at work! Us: WHATTT, HOWWW?! Kahhlly and Delano did some quick investigating, and we found out we needed to go to the cityof Como and buy a modem and an internet plan. Which is exactly what we did! Maybe we aren't such dumb Americans after all...
Tonight we are enjoying our weeefeee in the hotel before a busy day at the ristorante tomorrow! Arrivederci til later!
