I spent 1 year working on this place. Literally. 1 year ago on the 18th of December I post a message in my blog telling the world, that I finally found a baito and it seems cool so far. You know what? After the whole year working there every week it's still cool. Still fun. I can't belive I have to leave.
Japan turns out to have so many new experiences waiting for me that I lost my count on how many "I have never..." are closed and crossed out from my life.
What can I say, you can't claim you've experienced true Japanese culture without actually working there. Because it's an important part of the culture. Seriously, can you imagine Japan without work in one sentence?
I had there a lot. My first nomikai with collegues. My first drink making job (not sure if I can say bartender). Going on an ambulance to a hospital (I'm glad to have this scar on my finger because it would be a reminder of this place). A real farewell party which makes me cry right now. I'm so happy that I worked with this people.
My baito was not only a place to earn money for me. I had the best tencho in the world and the best team in the world. Making drinks was fun and always seemed to be kind of competition in speed with myself. And at the same time I knew that I was never alone and people would help me. Even the washing up, usually the most unpleasant work in a restaurant possible, won't be a bad memory - it was in the kitchen where I had the most interesting discussions about politics, cinema, books, Japanese history and Russian language. And besides, it's always exciting for a person who is interested in cooking to be in a place where so many delisious dishes are being cooked all the time.
Oh, and it's wine bar. One can't just work in a wine bar and not learn about at least the basics.
I will miss you, Tsui-teru.