Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a barista in Stari-Kuty is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I roll into work at my little café on Shevchenka Street, right? The sun’s shining, birds are chirping, and I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill.
First off, I spill coffee all over the counter. Like, seriously? I’m a barista, not a coffee fountain! My boss, Oleg, just shakes his head. He’s this grumpy dude, but deep down, I know he cares. He’s like, “You gotta get it together, kid.” Thanks, Oleg. Real motivational.
Then, this lady walks in. She’s got a dog. Not just any dog—a huge, fluffy beast that looks like it could eat my face. I’m tryin’ to take her order, but the dog’s all up in my grill, sniffing my apron. I’m like, “Dude, back off!” But she’s all, “He’s friendly!” Yeah, right. Friendly until he decides my leg looks like a chew toy.
So, I finally get her order—two lattes and a blueberry muffin. Easy peasy, right? Wrong! The milk frother decides to go rogue. It’s sputtering and spraying milk everywhere. I’m dodging like I’m in a milk war. I swear, I’m gonna need a raincoat for my shift.
After that chaos, I take a breather outside. Stari-Kuty is beautiful, man. The Dniester River is glistening, and I can see the old church on the hill. It’s peaceful, but then I hear this loud music. Turns out, there’s a wedding at the park nearby. I can’t help but smile. Weddings are cute, but also, like, super awkward. I mean, who doesn’t love a good dance-off?
Back inside, the café is packed. I’m talkin’ standing room only. People are everywhere—on Haharina Street, they’re lined up for coffee like it’s Black Friday. I’m pouring shots like a madman. “One cappuccino, two espressos, and a caramel macchiato!” I’m basically a barista ninja at this point.
Then, this guy walks in. He’s wearing a bright yellow shirt and flip-flops. It’s like, dude, it’s October! He orders a hot chocolate. A hot chocolate? Really? I mean, who drinks that in the fall? But whatever, I make it. He takes a sip and goes, “This is the best thing ever!” I’m like, “Bro, it’s just hot chocolate.” But hey, if it makes him happy, I’m all for it.
Around noon, I get a break. I step outside for a quick bite. I grab a pierogi from a street vendor on Soborna Street. Man, those things are heavenly! I’m munching away, and I see my buddy, Vasyl, walking by. He’s got this huge grin on his face. Turns out, he just got engaged! I’m like, “Dude, congrats!” We hug it out, and I’m feelin’ all warm and fuzzy inside.
But then, back to work. The afternoon rush hits, and it’s like a scene from a disaster movie. I’m juggling orders, and my brain’s about to explode. I hear someone yell, “Hey! I ordered a vanilla latte, not a regular!” I’m like, “Chill, man! I’m not a mind reader!”
Finally, the day winds down. I’m exhausted but happy. I clean up the café, and Oleg gives me a nod. “Good job today.” I’m like, “Thanks, man. I survived!”
As I walk home, I can’t help but think about Stari-Kuty. It’s quirky, it’s chaotic, but it’s home. The streets, the people, the coffee—it’s all part of this wild ride. I can’t wait to do it all again tomorrow.