My Practictical Experience

by Makhamethoane Innocentia (South Africa)

Making a local connection South Africa

When I was doing my 1st Year practicals in 2017 I went to the Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape in South Africa and what a great experience I had in the city surrounded by the the Atlantic ocean. It was really a great experience for me as it was my first time going out of my hometown and being able to great memorable experience. The hotel which I was doing my training was just situated near the beach and while I would be serving guest in the Blue Roof which is situated on the roof of the hotel I would see the whale playing in the sea, and most of the guest will show me in excitement. I can I forget the fresh morning air when I used to walk to the hotel to start my shift, as the staff accommodation was not far from the hotel, and during my off day I would go to the beach and enjoy myself playing in the water and just run away from the waves, while my other flatmates and classmates would carry me and throw me deeper where big waves would be coming, and I remember I would be crying returning to the shores. Many friends are made in Plettenberg Bay some where the guest I used to serve and while I was doing my training and ensuring I offer the best service to the guest who will be spending alot of money from their savings to come and relax during the festive season in South Africa I was also creating myself memorable experience. While being the hotel I was privileged to be a Butler in the wedding functions held at the hotel, organised Romantic turn-down, and I also did arrange a anniversary welcoming in one of the guest rooms prior to their arrival. How can I forget the evening shift I used to work in the Bar and working with the experience barman who would teach me how to make cocktails such as Pina Colada, Strawberry Daiquire, Mojito, Bloody Mary etc. How can I forget the evening of the Christmas Eve 2017 when I was trusted for the first time by the Restaurant Manager to serve one of the table on my own without an assistance of the permanent staff, and everything went well from the First Course until the Desert in an A la carte dinner menu, and I remember the way the couple was so impressed by my professional service and during the serving of coffee after their had drank their wine, I accidentally poured the whole teapot on the gentleman while trying to serve his wife, and I remember the incidence very well as if it was yesterday, I wished there was a hole that could open that I can hide in. The General Manager quickly came for rescue and fortunately the gentleman was an in house guest and he quickly went to to his room and changed the trouser and was not burnt and he came back, and later went to the bar where as a training I was working all sections and he made it a joke and was not angry at me and understood and told me to not feel bad about it accident do happen. The experience I had at the Plettenberg hotel ha really contributed to the person I am in my personal life and also in my career as a hotelier. I remember the first days when I didn't have confidence in myself because of lack of knowledge of the menu and the ways of welcoming and seating guest, I was actually afraid to approach guest and take their menu. But when days went by I adjusted and the staff was very patient with us students they really had a heart to teach. I remember was my hard work was recognized I would get calls during my Off days to come and assist because of different reason and I would gladly go even though some of the students would say I shouldn't go but I knew I was creating my own profile to the company and also training myself for the future, for a better position that will require my experience.