Eatex

With a critical face on, I take a sip from my cup. The coffee is a little cold, but definitely not too sweet. Well, actually this cappuccino is not a coffee but an espresso drink and also I made it myself, with almond milk and hazelnut flavored syrup. Who knew there's a whole science to coffee making, and even more so to selling. I've always wanted to work in a café, so goof timing visiting Bhava and her brand new business! Besides, here they even use an ipad as a cash machine, where you just press some buttons when taking in an order - easy peasy! Or so I thought... Here's what I learned:

- Coffee = drip coffee (or filtered, as we'd call it in Germany)! Cappuccino, latte etc = espresso drink!
- forget the metric system, learn what ounces (oz) are
- English is a quick language! Use context to understand that "How long have you been here?" isn't about the length of my shift or even my visit in the States, but a question about since when the café has been opened.

My first time behind the counter went like this:
Customers come in. I'm nervous. Since I know the owner of this place, I don't wanna screw this up. They stare at the menu behind me. Then they ask, "What's the soup of the day?" Damn it, gotta go ask in the kitchen. Then they order something I don't understand, please don't mumble, open your mouth! Alright, the woman wants coffee cake! I press the according button and smile overconfidently. The man wants 2 tacos, so I double click on the item. A coworker confirms if he wants a set of tacos or 2 sets of tacos. Of course one set only. Oops. When they finish their order I realize I forgot WHICH coffee cake they wanted, so I have to ask again. Well, this didn't go as planned.
Other failures on my first day as a working class hero include trying to give out change and then having to look at the coins for a long time to understand what they are, or almost dropping plates, cookies or drinks and of course forgetting all my English vocabulary. I make up for my incompetence by being super friendly, motivated and patient with indecisive customers. But most people coming to the café are super nice themselves and I have an easy time working! Everybody always asks "How are you doin?" and chit chats about the weather or something similar appropriate. I know it's superficial and yet I enjoy the positive way of opening up a conversation just like that!

Ever since I came to Essex Junction, VT, and into Bhava's busy business life, I've been sincerely impressed with she's accomplished in such a short time. She started out baking from home and selling mostly vegan and gluten-free products in supermarkets and then finally opened up her own place. The SWEET ALCHEMY bakery & café isn't only comfy and has sweet treats to become diabetic for, but also offers proper food like wraps, pasta, tacos and even dosa, that's so animal-free and healthy, I could eat there every day for months and never get bored or sick! Not to mention the cool people working there or the fantastic view from the windows, but instead of going on ranting, I might as well post a few photos.
More about my time in Essex (or Eatex, as 'essen' is eating in German) next time!