-Get into work, put my bag in my locker, change out of my flip flops, walk into the conference center
-Walk around and search for Daniel (pronounced Danielle. He is the Banquet Manager that I shadow).
-Spot Daniel, wave him down, and fall into step next to him.
-Accompany Daniel on his cigarette break
-Walk to an event that is happening and make sure all is well.
-Walk through the back kitchen and get some coffee.
-Stand around while Daniel talks to someone in Hebrew.
-Walk to the office (with Daniel of course) and sit at the desk while he schedules the waiters time for the day.
-Sit there while Daniel argues with other Banquet staff in Hebrew
-Accompany Daniel on his cigarette break.
-Hopefully get another latte
-Check on an event that is happening and help the waiter's bus some tables.
-Walk upstairs to the 11th floor where the boardrooms are to make sure the meetings are going well.
-Ask Daniel what words he is using in Hebrew mean in English.
-Practice saying these words to Daniel.
-Go on lunch break at the cafeteria and eat hummus.
-Walk back down to the conference center to search for Daniel.
-Stand around while Daniel talks to co workers in Hebrew. Sometimes looking at them as if I know what they are saying, sometimes looking around in the distance.
-Wave down Daniel and fall into step next to him (actually behind because I can't walk as fast as he can especially when I am wearing my heels).
-Check on event that is happening and check on set up for other events.
-Accompany Daniel on his cigarette break.
-Walk around with Daniel and stand there while he talks to other staff in Hebrew...or argues in Hebrew.
-Repeat the Hebrew words to Daniel that I tried to learn for the day.
-Check on event with Daniel again.
-Accompany Daniel on his cigarette break.
-Day is over and walk home. Sometimes it is a 4 hour day sometimes it is an 8 hour day, but you get the jist.
Some of the events are extremely boring, some are amazing. Thursday night there was a Georgian wedding. 550+ were coming and they spent $10,000 on vodka alone. I was just there for set up and left before the event started, which went until 5am. I don't even know when or if I want to get married, but seeing this amazing set up made me want to get married right on the spot...or at least become a professional wedding crasher. The dance floor was huge and it lit up different colors--it was like a huge dance dance revolution floor.
Tomorrow I am working from 4pm-12am for an awards dinner for the best wine in Israel. I don't think tomorrow will be much different then my typical breakdown above, except maybe I will be able to add a few different things to my day. Yesterday my "new task" was placing the floral arrangements on the tables and then I fell back into step with Daniel.
As tedious as it can be, and as much I wish I was somewhere else when I am working, and as tough as it is to think about the kind of work I was managing before I came here compared to what I am doing now, I have learned a lot already about the way the banquet staff operates, and it is a great growing experience doing all of this when I can't understand 90% of what people are saying. Stay positive. Stay positive. Stay positive.
