September 24, 2004
Leave me were I am, I'm only sleeping
The clock on the wall at the coffee shop began it’s slow tinkly chime at 8am this morning. We could hear it through the open door as we sat outside with our harbor view and gentle silky breeze. It was like church bells tolling out death for me. I didn’t want to go upstairs today. Things at work are busy, chaotic and there are many frustrations along with a few rewards. It can be very intense and overwhelming at times. I can’t really say a whole lot more about what I am doing at work but I will say that it is sometimes a big mental, emotional, and physical drain. But I guess anything really worth doing is.
Today is Friday so I am in my blue Pulotasi. It is my favorite and looks the best on me.
I wave Netta down and get her to pour me a cup of tea to go. I think I may need an extra cup this morning. She must see I am tired because when I get to my desk I find that instead of tea I got coffee, fixed up just the way I like it. It is a nice treat.
But first (before finding and enjoying my coffee) I open the door to my office and am assaulted by a smell that is reminiscent of the smell of a dead mouse. I quickly come to find that this is because there is in fact a dead mouse under my desk. I squeal loudly.
Just outside my office the meter readers gather every morning to get their reading assignments for the day. About 15 soles are treated to my squeal and come running. Since I look extra cute today, one of them kindly removes the dead mouse. I open the window and pray the smell vacates quickly. Eventually I take the lid off my Styrofoam coffee cup (I should remember to bring my own travel cup to work so I can stop using these) and find my treat. By then the expired mouse smell is gone.
The rest of the morning blows away like a chaotic wind storm and soon it is 11:53. This is the designated meeting time for Mo, Chris, Blaine and I too meet every Friday for lunch. Which means I am late. I find my wallet and rush down to the bakery/café for lunch.
There are many good places to have lunch in town these days. Everything from a 2 tala Samoa plate at Pinati to the fancy pasta lunch special at Sails. But we usually end up at The Bakery. The food is great and the owners treat us well, even if it does get packed and slow and full of Yachties.
I open the door and the smell of fresh baked bread wafts out. They make loaves of fresh white bread, by the truck full here. I usually buy whole meal, or dark rye bread for home, but I love the smell of white bread during the day.
Comments
Pinati is not bad food! Especially for the dirt cheep price. I mean I am not going to ever choose it over the Bakery but…In a pinch or when I’m broke it is great!
Yes, it is the same Bakery that was by the old food court, only they have moved. Now they are next to the little Molesi. They have a lot more room so they expanded the menu into this “Café Menu” that is great. They have great Nachos, and this sandwich they call the “Steak Bomb” that is a lot like a Philly cheese steak. And all kinds of other great café style food. As well as fresh salads and soup. It can get expensive if you go everyday but a few times a week is reasonable. It is by far my favorite lunch place in town.
Have you ever had the fish at Pinati? Not bad for the most dirt cheap place on the island.
Is the bakery new? or are you talking about the bakery over by the old food court? I was in there one day when I was on vacation and I was talking to the owner and he was telling me that the base their recipe for their cinnamon rolls on the one from Cinnabon, which is pretty cool in a wierd, globalization way.
There was another guy at the table, this massive Samoan from Wellington. I mean massive. The guy was at least three and half bills. Anyway, he starts going on and on about places like Cinnabon were why Americans were so fat. This was hillarious coming from a guy who weighed more than me and my guest (from America, incidentally) combined.
I don't know why I felt compelled to tell you that. I guess I must be bored.