Pesach Chronicals: Days 1-4

We arrived Sunday night. We got the key to our two story room and dropped off our bags. First thing we did was go raid the kitchen. For dinner we had:

Marshmallows

Jelly beans

Tuna

Chicken soup

Then we went to sleep and our fun began…

Day 1

Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce

Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs

Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce

Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs

Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah Matzah

Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates Seder plates

I think I write about myself to much.

Perhaps I should philosophize more.

Or write about current events.

Then again this is all for my friends and family back home.

And I keep my life entertaining.

We stopped for lunch. People came over that knew who we were. I knew who they were for the most part. It’s interesting. I often come across people that know me but I don’t know them. It’s because of camp I suppose. They’re expecting a performance from us. We’re known to be talented.

Expectations suck.

One thing I noticed; the kitchen was calm. When I worked at a mashgiach last year, it was insane. Everyone yells. Everyone curses. All the cooks play around. They put music on a boombox. Things are breaking and everyone is running around like mad. Here though, not even close.

Not one person screamed out F***.

I mean like not even once.

We barely made it time to get showers. Even when the Seder started we couldn’t sit down. Someone wanted another seder plate, this one wanted more matzah, this one a certain wine, etc. however we eventually we able to sit down at the head table and enjoy our Seder alongside a wonderful family called the Gopin’s.

Part of our job, which I love, is to go around visiting and seeing to it that everyone is having a good time. Believe me, it’s a lot more fun when you’re buzzed from a lot of strong wine. The room was divided in two. One side was the communal Seder and the other side had freestanding partitions for private Sederim. We went around the private side visiting. That night we became acquainted with the New family, a real charming bunch. The senior member even came over to the other side to see me right after. Another family wanted a good wine and I suggested cabinet sauvignon. I ran to get them a bottle and later found out it was and $80 bottle what I gave them. Oh.

After the seder we went to crack and check more eggs. 100 regular eggs and 80 separated eggs, again, a lot more fun when you’re tipsy. I took a crack (hahahaha) at doing two eggs at once with each hand. It really wasn’t all that hard. Woohoo by the end of Pesach I will be cracking eggs with one hand.

I have high goals

Day 2

The night before was botched up. Wasn’t my fault. I didn’t know what they needed nor where it was. This time around I knew what was going on and could see a dozen ways to make it faster, better, and way easier. Mother, since I know you’re reading this, I have you to thank for that trait.

Before we were puting out all the matzah, lettuce and seder stuff ourselves, but to me that was ridiculous. Gather up all the floor staff and have them do it! As long as I can distribute over my duties to others, I could get other things done in the meantime! This time, instead of making all these seder plates, I was going to get the waiters to make an assembly line. Just zip a seder plate down a table, one worker does one thing, and out the door it goes. There wasn’t enough lettuce to cover all the trays. Well, instead of plopping it on, just make one quick neat layer with just enough to cover the dish and look substantial. Voala, suddenly we even had extra lettuce. And the floor staff could do everything.

Matzah on the tables, waiters.

Extra charoses, waiters.

Extra moror, waiters.

Lettuce, waiters.

Etc…

Once I knew what was going on and could do it the way I wanted, it was a heck of a lot smoother. Never got to do that assembly line, but sure as hell didn’t worry about bringing it out.

We also did the kids club. We take the older boys while another gal and her friend take the younger children. I have to meet her. I heard she was quite good and creative and could use some ideas. Meanwhile;

Gaga tournament

Just give boys a ball

This time the seder had no deadline. And this time I drank a lot more wine, so our visiting duties were more productive. We actually met the people this time around thus starting our growing popularity here.

There’s a lot of old people here. Old people seem to always have something to tell you that is irrelevant to everything but it sure is pleasant. And then some of them speak Yiddish to you and you have to nod and pretend to understand what they’re saying.

It was great, despite (because of) how lit I was from wine. Spent a good long time with some families. The people seemed to love us. By the end it was just a few younger folks just smoozing.

I chilled with the hotel staff until about 4 AM.

Boy was it fun.

Day 3

Tired

I don’t know why I have to peel potatoes, chop onions, and slice pumpkin. It’s not my job. As a mashgiach last year, I never had to do anything. I just helped the staff by choice. Whatever. I just did a bunch of eggs so if they needed they would have. That’s all they need from me really. Just walk in once in a while and avoid the kitchen for the most part. Real chill day.

Two boys showed up for kid’s club. Two. I was planning to split a group of boys in two groups and have them compete by making small Pesach themed skits, but, two boys. So we played them in soccer and then they just left. We decided to go see the girls and the younger age group and perhaps help or something, or at least watch to get some ideas. We walked in and the young woman that does it had us round them up in a circle for a game. I could see she’s good with kids. Then all of a sudden without warning

And now Dovid is going to tell you all a story.

Oh.

Apparently I had to say a story. Pick a word. Say that word three times in my story. Once I say that word everyone freezes. Then try to find kids that move and get them out.

Oh

Well I did it. The word was matzah. Three boys went out to the store for Pesach…a robber came…he was jewish…brought him to the seder…yay It worked.

Whew.

But…

Now we have two Rabbis in the room

here for our game show

Now

and

Then!

She pretended to hold a microphone and preceded to have all the kids ask us questions about Pesach. It was good, a real smart idea. This girl was a quick thinker, took advantage of our presence in a genius way. I was impressed. I left looking forward to helping again.

In the end I played footy for the first time.

It’s super fun.

My team won.

Day 4

I can crack eggs with one hand on both hands now.

We woke up and hour a 40 minutes later than we were supposed to.

Oh &*%#.

Nothing much.

Usual kitchen stuff.

Breakfast

Lunch

We got to know our co-workers a little better by lunch. The main one is real intelligent, has good goals, and thinks in a good direction. The other one is quiet, but also mature. It’s nice to know we’re working with good people.

Played cards with some new friends

No boys showed up for kid’s club

Made gifilte fish

Helped the girls

Dinner.

We had a Hawaiian buffet. Wow. Helped out the girls to make a movie night for the kids. we watched The Prince of Egypt. Do you know how intense that movie is!? The tenth plague, G-d comes down

and kills everybody!!!

Pesach Chronicals: Day 5; The Egg Song