Ok so every now and then I have a moment of irritation at the fact that I am washing dishes when I just finished getting my Master's degree, but I guess this is where I am supposed to be right now. I keep reminding myself that this is what I am doing because it allows me to be with the person that I love, not because it is what I will be doing for the rest of my life. I got a job at a Hummus restaurant, actually to be more accurate, Ben got it for me. It's a small place so it's just me and the owner working there. The owner is a very nice guy named Dan who is teaching me Hebrew while he practices his English. The great thing is it's about two shops away from Ben's garage so he can visit me for lunch...or as seems to be more common so far, I can bring him the things he forgot from home:)
Today was my second day and I am beat. I don't know how Ben stands on his feet for so long each day, I don't work nearly as long as he does and I am just aching by the end of it (or really in the middle of it)! Generally I work from 10am until 5pm, but sometimes, when it is slow (like today), a bit less. Here is a list of my duties so far, just so you can picture it:) Wash dishes, cut vegetables, wash dishes, clear tables, wash dishes, toast pitas, wash dishes, squeeze lemons, wash dishes, try to remember to smile, and remember not to crack my knuckles (I'm better at that than I thought I would be)! I think as I get used to things he may teach me how to prepare things (but not his secret hummus recipe!).
There is one part about this job that is actually pretty disturbing, the reason I got the job. The only reason there was an opening for this position was because the Sudanese man who was doing the job before was driving away business. Customers were complaining that they did not like him being near/touching their food! It's really appalling to me, but I think there is an image here in Israel that the Sudanese live a dirty lifestyle (I actually don't know much about it), and therefore do not want them near food. So the guy showed up for work the first morning I was there and hadn't been told yet! So there I am only an hour into the job and he comes in to get fired. Basically I got the job instead of him because I am white....yuck. It felt very weird.
Moving on to better things....my friend Hadas is coming to visit! Well, actually she is visiting her Dad who lives on a kibbutz near Haifa (in the North), but I will get to see her too! I think we are planning to meet this weekend in Tel Aviv, and make our way to the kibbutz where her dad lives. Ben has a meeting in Beer Sheva with the army on Monday so we would probably head down to Beer Sheva Sunday night (this all requires taking two days off work, but I already have the o.k. if our plan works). We don't have the details figured out at all, but no matter what I get to see Hadas...so cool!
No new pictures this time...sorry.
Congrats on the new job. I love hearing about all the places you guys are traveling to. I associate so much of those places with Bible stories, sometimes I forget that they are modern day cities that you can still visit. :-p Have fun with your buddy!!!
ReplyDeleteWow Lauren! I think it sounds like a cool job. I mean, I understand post-degree you feel like you might be doing something else, but you won't be doing it forever. Plus, think of all the people you will get to meet. I am sure there are "regulars" to the restaurant that you will get to know. That is great!
ReplyDeleteThat's a tough one, the other man being fired because of his race. Sad. It makes me wonder what one could do to try to change the stereotype??
Love you, miss you!!!! Thanks for writing.
Love, Stacy