Sometimes I am amazed at what people do for amusement. Tuesday I waiting for my tour to arrive when I spotted a group of teenagers that were picking up the rocks outside from the ground and throwing them at eat other. I was wishing that this wasn't my tour, because I knew how little I would enjoy it, and of course it was. One of the chaperons came into the shop to tell me that the English group had arrived. I went with her hoping the best for the tour only knowing that no one would pay any attention to what I was saying.
It is times like these that remind me of giving tours at St. John's. Almost every kid that came to visit doesn't pay attention, leaving me only either talking to myself or the parents. So during the tour I spent most of my time talking to the teacher and the other chaperon. The only thing that these kid were interested in was shoving each other around outside and throwing rocks. I guess I have to be thankful for my time spent as a tour guide. It prepared me for what expect from groups such as this.
My afternoon was a little more exciting, since I actually helped Clara translate some stuff. A group of Russians walked into the store and didn't speak any English or Italian. We just had to point to things and hope that they would understand. Clara surprised me by speaking a few words of Russian. Now I really feel terrible. It seems like everyone in the monastery can speak some other language, and I only limited to English and broken Italian. After everyone left and we closed the store, Clara had me read information written in Italian so that she could translate it into Russian. She said it would be good practice for me when I am trying to pronounce some words in Italian. I managed to get through it, but struggled at some parts; especially when there were punctuation marks, because I did not figure that I would have to know how to say a comma in Italian.
There was much discussion about me during dinner tonight. I usually get about two or three bowls of vegetable soup, but today I just wasn't too hungry. Don Luigi was the first to comment being surprised when I didn't return with another bowl. He asked if I was sick or something. Don Ignazio guessed it was because of what the Abbot had said a few days ago. He said that I was getting a little bigger since the last time he saw me. Considering he didn't recognize me when he saw me the first time I returned, I think his judgment is a little suspect.
I think my new nickname should be the cleaner. Not just because I almost finish every dish that Pinnucia and Italia make, but also because that's all I did Wednesday. Don Ignazio borrowed me in the morning from Clara to do some cleaning of the monastery. I first cleaned the balconies in the lower part of the church and began to vacuum the long hallway leading to the Sacrestia, when Fabrizio came and told me to help him. I guess today I would be helping everyone with everything.
There was a shipment of boxes for the store that we had to carry there in his little 4 x 4 truck. We loaded the boxes, but before we went on our way, he showed me something that he got as a gift. It was a AK 47 is his trunk. I just had to ask if it worked or not and he cocked the barrel and pulled the trigger. Luckily it wasn't loaded like the last time he brought a gun to the monastery. Oh yeah a little side note. The day that I left the monastery, the Abbot had lunch with us. Fabrizio wanted to show him something and unaware to all of us it was a rifle. The Abbot is really into rifles apparently and decided to shoot of a few rounds. We were in the kitchen cleaning dishes when we heard this loud bang that almost made me drop the plate in my hand. My first instinct was to hit the floor or start running, but I noticed the Abbot holding the rifle. Well anyway Fabrizio and I drove to the shop. He showed me the ammo for the gun and told me that every Saturday, he goes off a little path off the road to shoot a few rounds.
Once we got to the store and unloaded all the boxes, I had a choice: either help Clara set up, or finish cleaning. I decided that I would take a break from cleaning and help her out. Since we had to open many boxes and only had one box cutter, I pulled out my little all purpose tool that I always carry around with me. When she saw it all she could do was laugh. I said that you never know when you might need something and I would better off with this than nothing at all.
There was garlic bread today during lunch today. Don Ignazio didn't want to rub any garlic on his bread, but I love the taste so I rubbed it all over the bread until there was nothing left. Don Ignazio said that people would not want to buy anything from me while I worked in the shop in the afternoon, because my breath would reek of garlic. He said as soon as I open my mouth, they would leave and take their money with them. I wish that actually happened today, because I did have one very strange visitor.
a few minutes later to wipe the handle he just touched. He then made his way to other door and came inside. He bought one pen and was on his way out the open door when he decided to unlock the other door and walk out that way. I thought it was very weird considering that no one else was blocking the door, but I hadn't seen anything strange yet. Outside the door he started on his way and then came back to the same spot. He did this at least three times before he finally committed to his method of walking. I can't be too sure, but from the looks of it I think that man suffers from OCD.
My day was filled with strange occurrences. Miciotto came outside of his little hiding place to get food, but apparently dry food wasn't good enough for him.He wouldn't leave Cecilia alone and refused to eat his food. Cecilia went in the back and pulled out a tupperware container filled pasta and meat. She told me that Clara had made this or him to eat and I couldn't believe my ears. Clara, the one who tells Miciotto to get out of the shop had made him a delicious meal. Well he is spoiled, because he couldn't eat the dry food until it was topped with the pasta. When Cecilia went to check on his progress, he eat the entire dish including the dry food. What a greedy little cat. Definitely has a little Garfield in him.
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