Just when I thought the weather was done with its nasty tricks, the wind came in to ruin my day. Don Ignazio asked me to clean the Garden of Crows, where St. Benedict stopped a falling rock from crushing one of his followers. I thought I only had to clean up the leaves that were on the ground, but Don Carlo also asked me to sweep up the dust that collected over the times. Well there was enough dust to cause me some problems.
At first I didn't feel any different from earlier when I started, but as soon as I was done cleaning, the dust started to affect my breathing. It also didn't help that I had to rush, since groups were starting to come through and mess up my flow of cleaning. Clara promised to get me a mask for when I have to clean so that I don't have to breathe in all of that hazardous stuff. No matter which way I tried, the wind seemed to know exactly when and in which direction to blow. To make matters even worse, Clara asked me to clean the stairs of one of the entrances of the monastery. Of course the wind picked up even more from before, causing more problems when we were cleaning. Every time we tried to dump the dust and dirt, the wind would blow it right back onto the ground we just cleaned.
I think I have to stop making promises, because they always seem to backfire on me. Tonight at dinner I noticed we were going to eat one of my favorite bowls of soup, so I told Pinnucia that there would be nothing left tonight, thinking that everyone else would help me finish it. Well Don Antonio was not eating with us tonight and everyone else only had one bowl, which left me eating the entire thing by myself. I had to eat FIVE bowls of soup, the most I have every eaten in one setting. My stomach was completely empty before dinner, but felt like I would explode after the fourth. I couldn't even eat anything else, because I had to focus all of my strength on finishing. Next time I will just keep my mouth shut.
Pinnucia leaves Wednesday to see her granddaughter Sara in Sardegna. She came to say bye to everyone before she left and her first stop was the shop. I guess I was too focused in my work to notice that she was standing behind me. When she spoke she nearly made me jump across the room, scaring me out of my seat. She said that she will be back in about two weeks, so before I leave, with Sara to show everyone. I can't wait to she her even though I already saw the photos from when Pinnucia went to she her in Kenya.
In the afternoon I played to role of a bouncer again. This time I had to keep this stray dog out of the monastery. Apparently he followed this group of teenagers hoping to sneak past me. I just happened to look up at the right moment when I noticed him standing at the entrance. As soon as I got up and walked to the door, he started to run away. I guess you can say that I chased him outside, where he began to whimper. I don't make the rules here, but no dogs allowed little guy; sorry.
What are parents teaching their children nowadays? Why is that when the machine doesn't work, instead of asking for help they start beating on it. I know it's terrible to say, but I am waiting for the day when the machine tips over and crushes someone.
There were a lot of people in the shop on Thursday and I had to help move the line along when I heard the kids beating on the machine. I dropped everything and had to rush over before they did something really stupid. I opened it, gave the kid his kit-kat, and went back to the register. Not even one minute later did I hear another kid beating on the machine. Did you really not just see me open the machine and get the candy? Think children. It's causing using your brain, you know that thing in your thick skull a few inches above your shoulders. I even saw one trying to tip the machine. I am telling you it's only a matter of time before someone gets crushed by the machine. What's more important; a few minutes of waiting or your life?
Some people just can't take a hint. It was well past the time when we normally close when this group of teenagers showed up hoping to do a tour and mass. Cecilia told them that they had to be quick, but of course that's not how things went. The guide took his time explaining the frescoes and hadn't even done the mass yet. They finally finished around 7 pm with everything, but continued to wander through the church. Cecilia had already turned off the lights suggesting that we were closed, but that still didn't stop them. I had to go and start dragging people out; well not dragging, but pushing them closer and closer to the exit. Some people just need that much help.
Our little stray dog returns again this afternoon. Cecilia apparently made friends with it, because it only stays still for her. Miciotto was actually a little jealous, since he was forced to stay on the roof while Cecilia gave the dog water. Miciotto was staring at the dog almost like he was trying to burn a hole through him.
Felt like I had my hand in everything Friday morning. I was running around doing this and that for everyone again. I had to change all of the trash bags outside, then sit in the Sacrestia for about thirty minutes, and then run back to the shop and package postcards. Clara stopped me from doing that and made me unload a truck of water, juice, and soda for our machines. Even though the morning started off slow, it sure did pick up for me. And here I thought it would be a nice quiet relaxing day.
Today for lunch we had another guest visiting from another monastery. His name is Francesco and will be staying with us until Sunday. Once again Sacro Speco is acting like a revolving door, because Don Luigi left two days ago and we now have another monk staying with us here. As soon as someone leaves, another person comes to fill the empty seat. We were talking about how long the hallways are at Montecassino today. It just keeps coming up in our discussions for some reason. I guess it's because the length is so unbelievable; 180 meters. Don Carlo suggested that it would be better to use a bike to get to and from your room instead of walking. I don't think it would be such a bad idea.
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