【生活】國際學生大使的聚會 @ il Giardino Romantico

當一群熱心助人、開朗活潑的大使們^[註]同聚在一起會是什麼樣的情形呢？我們從二月十四日受訓那天第一次與今年度所有的大使們相見過後其實很少有機會能夠交流。因為大家能夠進去辦公的時間不一，工作量也會依照負責地區而有所不同。導致平時很少有機會碰面。所以每當聽到消息說要聚會，我當然毫不猶豫的一定第一個先答應。可惜上次已經錯過一次出遊的機會。不過還好這次剛好可以參與。但話說，這次的聚會也不簡單呢！

What happens when a group of enthusiastic, passionate, and outgoing ambassadors get together? Ever since our training session in February, we had not had another chance to meet and get to know each other better. Because we work at different hours, according to our respective schedules, and our work load also differs depending on the area of which we are in charge. That is why I never hesitate to agree to join any gatherings with the ambassadors. Unfortunately I had already missed one outing opportunity. Although I was fortunate enough to join the gathering this time, it was only after a tremendous amount of effort, that we were finally able to arrange this gathering.

幾個禮拜前就收到通知說要『烤肉』。但前幾天才又聽到消息說當天天氣不太穩定，可能要改去餐廳吃飯。我心裡其實想說，只要能聚在一起，其實去哪裡，吃什麼都是其次。不過別人可不見得想的跟我一樣。離活動當天不到48小時，大夥兒都還在靠email傳來傳去決定要去哪家餐廳吃。沒想到！到了前一天有人說有個教會的場所可以提供我們用餐。就這樣臨時又從外食改到『烤肉』。

A couple of weeks ago, we all received an email asking us all to go out for a barbeque. Then, we got another email saying that the weather didn't look too good, so arrangements might be made so that we would dine at a restaurant. I didn't mind, really, where we went or what we did, as long as we got a chance to sit down and socialise. Others didn't seem to be on the same line of thought. Forty-eight hours before our scheduled gathering time, people were still trying to figure out what restaurant to go to. Then, someone offered a venue at their church to carry out our usual barbeque plan.

只是烤肉地點離我們學校有一段距離。活動前一天晚上我11點才發email問說要搭便車的話是幾點然後在哪兒集合。沒想到活動當天到了12點我還是沒得到回應。只好先打電話給認識的問一下。當我去到其他幾位大使的宿舍時，才發現：阿哩！他們有另外準備食物耶！

The venue was quite a distance from campus. I sent off an email the night before, asking where and when to meet if we needed a lift. I waited till 12pm the next day, two hours prior to the set time of our meeting time, still no answer. Finally, I decided to call someone and find out. When I got to the halls of the other ambassadors, I realised that they had prepared some of their home cuisines to bring!

看到之後當然是百感交集。因為，如果早點說，我也可以準備一些。應該說，大家都可以分工合作準備不同的異國美食來分享。但是看到他們準備的道地異國美食，又是感動又是興奮的說不出話來。當我們到了場地之後，另外一位大使才將我心中的話表達了出來。呵呵。

I didn't know how to react at first. If they had mentioned earlier, all of us could have helped prepare a little of our own cuisines and make a little contribution. But then I was so excited by the sight and the smell of their food that I didn't make any comments. When we finally arrived, another ambassador finally expressed what I also had in mind.

不過教會提供的場所雖然說可避風避雨，還有廚房的設施也都可以使用。不過『烤肉』要去哪兒烤呢？還好他們到了教堂後方一塊若是下雨多少可以避雨的地方，準備在那點燃烤肉架。

We were fortunate to have shelter in the dining area behind the church, but what do we do about the barbeque? The boys found a place behind the church to set up the barbeque, and finally, everything began to run smoothly.

一群人圍繞就為了點燃四個烤肉架。
All these people gathering around to light four barbeque sets...

這裡沒有一樣是我能吃的！哈！
None of these are for me...

雖然原定是要來『烤肉』的，然後也本來只是我們大使之間的聚會。後來不知道怎麼約到一堆不認識的人。其實都是學校職員[可以說是我們的上司]的親屬與朋友。實際上出席的大使只有十位吧！所以到最後就變成了我們這些大使在『招待』這些人耶。其實我們也不一定要這樣。但是前面提到的特徵，就是為什麼我們這一群人呢，遇到這樣的情形，早就忘了這是我們自己要happy的場合。反倒是忙著招呼一堆不認識的人！哈！！然後還怕食物不夠，出的太慢，招呼不周等等的...

Although it was originally planned as 'barbeque' for us ambassadors, somehow a whole lot of other people we had never even seen turned up. Most of them are family and friends of the staff, who are in a way, our employers. Only about ten of us were actually ambassadors. So, in the end, we were actually catering for this group of people, instead of merely filling our own tummies. This has to do with the general characteristic of 'ambassadors'. We don't worry about being hungry. We don't get upset about being given too much work. We worry about these people NOT having enough food. And our happiness is the result of satisfying other people.

不過廢話說了那麼多，我想大家還是最關心美食的吧！？

Enough of that. Let's come and see some of the food that we prepared for the day:

一整桌的美食。
A table full of delicous food.

奈及利亞美食- jallof rice。[IRRT代表 International Recruitment and Relations Team]
Nigerian cuisine - jallof rice. IRRT stands for International Recruitment and Relations Team.

只是胡蘿蔔與甘藍菜。拌上美乃滋也是挺美味的。
Simply carrots and cabbage, but tastes great with a bit of mayo.

陸續上桌的烤肉。
Barbeque chicken, amongst others...

甘比亞美食。
Gambian cuisine.

也是甘比亞料理。
Another Gamgian cuisine.

印度美食。
Indian cuisine.

除了美食當然也少不了飲料。
Drinks to go with the food.

美食 & 一群不認識的人！哈！！
Delicious food, and a group of people we don't really know. Ha!

雖說有一半一上都是我們不認識的人啊，不過我們自己也玩得挺開心的。時常因為自己的身分，忘了有許多大使還是大學部來著的。有幾位已經畢業要準備回國了。感覺挺可惜的。才認識你們不久，你們就要離開了。不過我想，這份大使的工作帶給我的一些經驗，真的是很難忘也很特別呢。

Although we didn't know half the people that showed up, it was a lot of fun. A lot of times I forget that there are also undergrads amongst us. Some of them are already preparing to head home. What a pity. I've only gotten to know you. However, the experience from being a student ambassador up to now, offers some of the most unique and unforgettable memories of my life here in the UK.

註：【生活】利物浦大學國際學生大使