Week 20: Maya starts volunteering at the café

Danish with English gloss, line-aligned.

finding the volunteering
Storyboard: Maya has heard that many Danes volunteer in their free time, and she likes the idea — a way to meet people and use her Danish. One evening she browses a volunteering website, reads a few listings, and finds the little café she already knows, which needs weekend helpers, so she fills in the short sign-up form.
Jeg har hørt, at mange danskere arbejder frivilligt i deres fritid.	I have heard that many Danes volunteer in their free time.
Jeg kan godt lide idéen.	I like the idea.
Jeg vil gerne lære at tale bedre dansk og møde nye mennesker.	I want to learn to speak better Danish and meet new people.
En aften sidder jeg med min computer.	One evening, I am sitting with my computer.
Jeg finder en hjemmeside for frivilligt arbejde.	I find a website for voluntary work.
Jeg læser de første tre annoncer på siden.	I read the first three listings on the site.
Den første annonce er fra en sportsklub.	The first listing is from a sports club.
Men de mangler hjælp torsdag aften, og der spiller jeg badminton.	But they need help on Thursday evenings, and I play badminton then.
Den anden annonce er fra et museum.	The second listing is from a museum.
De har brug for en person onsdag aften, men der træner jeg.	They need a person on Wednesday evenings, but I work out then.
Så kigger jeg på den tredje annonce.	Then I look at the third listing.
Den er fra den lille café, som jeg allerede kender.	It is from the little café that I already know.
De mangler folk til lørdag formiddag.	They need people for Saturday mornings.
Det passer mig helt perfekt.	That suits me absolutely perfectly.
Jeg udfylder en kort formular med mit navn og min e-mailadresse.	I fill in a short form with my name and my email address.
Jeg skriver også mit telefonnummer: tolv, fireogtredive, seksoghalvtreds, otteoghalvfjerds.	I also write my phone number: twelve, thirty-four, fifty-six, seventy-eight.
Til sidst trykker jeg på send.	Finally, I press send.
Jeg har aldrig arbejdet på en café før, men jeg er klar til at lære det.	I have never worked in a café before, but I am ready to learn it.
first shift arrival
Storyboard: On her very first Saturday shift, Maya arrives early at the little café. She ties her new apron in the back room and carries the chairs out to the pavement to prepare for opening.
Det er min første lørdagsvagt på den lille café.	It is my first Saturday shift at the little café.
Jeg er ankommet tidligt.	I have arrived early.
Solen skinner på gaden i København.	The sun is shining on the street in Copenhagen.
Jeg glæder mig, men jeg er også lidt nervøs.	I am looking forward to it, but I am also a little nervous.
Det er første gang, jeg arbejder på en café.	It is the first time I am working in a café.
Jeg gik ind i baglokalet for at gøre mig klar.	I went into the back room to get ready.
På et bord lå der et nyt forklæde til mig.	On a table lay a new apron for me.
Jeg tog det på og bandt det på ryggen.	I put it on and tied it in the back.
Det føltes godt at have det på.	It felt good to wear it.
Nu er jeg klar til at begynde.	Now I am ready to begin.
Jeg skal lære at åbne caféen rigtigt.	I have to learn to open the café correctly.
Først låste bestyreren den tunge hoveddør op.	First, the manager unlocked the heavy front door.
Bagefter gik jeg ud på fortovet for at gøre klar.	Afterwards, I went out onto the pavement to get ready.
Jeg bar fire stole ud.	I carried four chairs out.
Jeg har stillet dem rundt om et lille bord.	I have placed them around a little table.
Om lidt kommer de andre frivillige.	In a little while, the other volunteers will arrive.
Jeg er meget spændt på min første dag.	I am very excited about my first day.
learning the machine
Storyboard: Before the doors open, an experienced volunteer brings Maya over to the large espresso machine. The volunteer shows her how to grind the coffee beans and how to steam the milk. Maya watches every step closely, because it is her first time behind the counter.
Det er min første gang bag disken.	It is my first time behind the counter.
Caféen er ikke åben endnu.	The café is not open yet.
En af de erfarne frivillige kalder på mig.	One of the experienced volunteers calls for me.
Vi står foran den store espressomaskine.	We stand in front of the large espresso machine.
"I dag skal du lære at lave kaffe," siger han.	"Today you must learn to make coffee," he says.
Jeg har aldrig lavet kaffe på sådan en maskine før.	I have never made coffee on such a machine before.
Det første skridt er at male kaffebønnerne.	The first step is to grind the coffee beans.
Han trykker på en lille knap.	He presses a small button.
Maskinen maler de brune bønner med en høj lyd.	The machine grinds the brown beans with a loud sound.
Det andet skridt er at dampe mælken.	The second step is to steam the milk.
Han hælder kold mælk op i en metalkande.	He pours cold milk into a metal jug.
Bagefter tænder han for den varme damp.	Afterwards he turns on the hot steam.
Jeg kigger nøje på hans hænder imens.	I look closely at his hands meanwhile.
Mælken i kanden bliver hurtigt varm og tyk.	The milk in the jug quickly becomes warm and thick.
Han har tydeligvis lavet kaffe mange gange før.	He has clearly made coffee many times before.
Da jeg ankom i morges, var jeg meget nervøs.	When I arrived this morning, I was very nervous.
Men han forklarede det godt, så jeg har allerede forstået det meste.	But he explained it well, so I have already understood most of it.
the first coffee
Storyboard: When the morning rush hits, Maya makes a cappuccino for a waiting customer. She has held the steam wand a bit too deep in the milk, so it does not get a thick foam. It still looks acceptable, though, so she pours the milk over the coffee and hands it over with a polite smile.
Her til formiddag har vi haft utrolig travlt.	This morning we have been incredibly busy.
Jeg har lige lavet min allerførste cappuccino.	I have just made my very first cappuccino.
Lidt i ti kom en mand hen til disken.	A little before ten, a man came over to the counter.
"En cappuccino, tak," sagde han.	"A cappuccino, please," he said.
Jeg har netop lært at bruge espressomaskinen.	I have just learned to use the espresso machine.
Så jeg gik hen til maskinen med det samme.	So I went over to the machine right away.
Jeg bryggede kaffen og satte damprøret ned i mælken.	I brewed the coffee and put the steam wand down into the milk.
Men jeg holdt det lidt for dybt nede.	But I held it a little too deep down.
Jeg har nok været lidt for nervøs.	I have probably been a little too nervous.
Der kom desværre ikke noget tykt skum på mælken.	Unfortunately, the milk did not get any thick foam.
Jeg kiggede forsigtigt ned i kanden.	I looked carefully down into the pitcher.
Skummet var ikke helt perfekt.	The foam was not completely perfect.
Men det så stadig acceptabelt ud.	But it still looked acceptable.
Jeg hældte den varme mælk over kaffen i koppen.	I poured the hot milk over the coffee in the cup.
Derefter gav jeg kaffen til manden med et høfligt smil.	Then I gave the coffee to the man with a polite smile.
"Værsgo, det bliver femoghalvtreds kroner," sagde jeg.	"Here you go, that will be fifty-five kroner," I said.
Han tog koppen og satte sig ved det første bord.	He took the cup and sat down at the first table.
bun with cheese
Storyboard: A moment later, she slices a warm sourdough bun and adds a thick piece of cheese. She places it on a small plate and navigates through the standing customers to deliver it safely to a corner booth.
Lidt efter kom den næste bestilling.	Shortly after, the next order came.
Jeg har allerede lavet min første kaffe i dag.	I have already made my first coffee today.
Men denne kunde ville bare have mad.	But this customer just wanted food.
Han bestilte en bolle med ost.	He ordered a bun with cheese.
Jeg tog en lun surdejsbolle fra kurven.	I took a warm sourdough bun from the basket.
Surdejsbrød har ofte en hård skorpe.	Sourdough bread often has a hard crust.
Men jeg har lært at skære brødet hurtigt over.	But I have learned to cut the bread in half quickly.
Derefter lagde jeg en tyk skive ost på bollen.	Afterwards, I put a thick slice of cheese on the bun.
Jeg anrettede maden pænt på en lille tallerken.	I arranged the food nicely on a small plate.
Nu skulle jeg aflevere den til kunden.	Now I had to deliver it to the customer.
Der stod mange mennesker midt i caféen.	There were many people standing in the middle of the café.
Jeg balancerede tallerkenen og gik forsigtigt frem.	I balanced the plate and walked carefully forward.
Jeg gik langsomt forbi de andre gæster.	I walked slowly past the other guests.
Kunden sad heldigvis helt nede i hjørnet.	Fortunately, the customer was sitting right down in the corner.
Han ventede ved det fjerde bord.	He was waiting at the fourth table.
Jeg satte tallerkenen på bordet foran ham.	I placed the plate on the table in front of him.
"Værsgo, en lun bolle med ost," sagde jeg.	"Here you go, a warm bun with cheese," I said.
"Mange tak," svarede manden.	"Thank you very much," the man replied.
Det er dejligt at se en tilfreds gæst.	It is lovely to see a satisfied guest.
the ginger beer
Storyboard: During her second Saturday shift, a woman asks for a ginger beer. Maya finds the ginger beer in the glass fridge, inverts it so that the ginger mixes. Then she hands it to the customer.
Det var min anden lørdagsvagt i caféen.	It was my second Saturday shift in the café.
Jeg har allerede lært at lave meget af arbejdet.	I have already learned to do a lot of the work.
Den formiddag var det dejligt varmt udenfor.	That morning it was wonderfully warm outside.
En kvinde kom hen til disken.	A woman came over to the counter.
"Jeg vil gerne bede om en ginger beer," sagde hun.	"I would like to ask for a ginger beer," she said.
"Selvfølgelig, et øjeblik," svarede jeg.	"Of course, just a moment," I answered.
Jeg gik over til det store glaskøleskab bag disken.	I went over to the large glass fridge behind the counter.
Jeg kiggede på den tredje hylde.	I looked on the third shelf.
Der stod de kolde flasker med ginger beer.	The cold bottles of ginger beer were standing there.
Jeg fandt en flaske og tog den ud.	I found a bottle and took it out.
Ingefæren lå som en tyk sky nede i bunden.	The ginger lay like a thick cloud down at the bottom.
Jeg har lært at blande den, før jeg åbner flasken.	I have learned to mix it before I open the bottle.
Så jeg vendte flasken meget forsigtigt på hovedet.	So I turned the bottle very carefully upside down.
Jeg holdt den sådan i et par sekunder.	I held it like that for a couple of seconds.
Ingefæren blandede sig langsomt med resten af væsken.	The ginger mixed slowly with the rest of the liquid.
Nu så drikken helt rigtig ud.	Now the drink looked exactly right.
Jeg vendte flasken om igen og stillede den på disken.	I turned the bottle around again and placed it on the counter.
"Værsgo, det bliver femogtredive kroner," sagde jeg til hende.	"Here you go, that will be thirty-five kroner," I said to her.
Hun betalte, og hun har sikkert nydt sin kolde drik.	She paid, and she has probably enjoyed her cold drink.
second coffee progress
Storyboard: Later that morning, Maya tries foaming milk again for a large latte. This second attempt turns out much better, and she realizes that she has finally learned to control the pressure of the hot steam.
Senere samme lørdag fik vi igen meget travlt.	Later the same Saturday, we got very busy again.
En ung kvinde kom op til disken og bestilte en stor cappuccino.	A young woman came up to the counter and ordered a large cappuccino.
Min første kop var ikke helt perfekt.	My first cup was not quite perfect.
Men denne gang var jeg klar.	But this time I was ready.
Jeg tog metalkanden og hældte kold mælk i den.	I took the metal pitcher and poured cold milk into it.
Jeg satte kanden under maskinen og tændte for den varme damp.	I placed the pitcher under the machine and turned on the hot steam.
Jeg skruede ikke op for trykket med det samme.	I did not turn up the pressure immediately.
Jeg har nemlig lært at lytte til maskinen.	I have actually learned to listen to the machine.
Den høje lyd fra dampen var helt rigtig denne gang.	The loud sound from the steam was exactly right this time.
Mælken blev langsomt varm.	The milk slowly became warm.
Og skummet på toppen blev meget tykt og blødt.	And the foam on top became very thick and soft.
Det var et stort fremskridt.	It was a big step forward.
Jeg hældte forsigtigt mælken over kaffen i en stor kop.	I carefully poured the milk over the coffee in a large cup.
Det lignede faktisk en rigtig professionel cappuccino.	It actually looked like a real professional cappuccino.
"Værsgo," sagde jeg og stillede koppen på disken.	"Here you go," I said and placed the cup on the counter.
Kvinden smilede og tog sin kaffe.	The woman smiled and took her coffee.
Jeg har endelig lært at kontrollere trykket.	I have finally learned to control the pressure.
third saturday regular
Storyboard: By her third Saturday, Maya spots a familiar older man walking towards the front door. She has memorized his usual order, so when he reaches the counter she greets him and offers to make his usual cortado.
På min tredje lørdag stod jeg klar bag disken.	On my third Saturday, I stood ready behind the counter.
Jeg har endelig lært at slappe lidt af i caféen.	I have finally learned to relax a bit in the café.
Gennem vinduet så jeg en ældre mand på gaden.	Through the window, I saw an older man on the street.
Han gik langsomt hen mod hoveddøren.	He walked slowly towards the front door.
Han var her også på min første og min anden vagt.	He was also here on my first and my second shift.
Han er en af caféens faste kunder.	He is one of the café's regular customers.
Jeg har lært at huske hans bestilling udenad.	I have learned to remember his order by heart.
Han køber altid præcis det samme.	He always buys exactly the same thing.
Han åbnede døren og kom op til kassen.	He opened the door and came up to the register.
Jeg kiggede på ham og smilte.	I looked at him and smiled.
"Godmorgen," sagde jeg.	"Good morning," I said.
"Skal jeg lave din sædvanlige cortado?"	"Should I make your usual cortado?"
Manden kiggede overrasket på mig.	The man looked at me surprised.
Så smilte han glad.	Then he smiled happily.
"Ja tak, det vil jeg meget gerne," svarede han.	"Yes please, I would very much like that," he answered.
Jeg gik hen til espressomaskinen.	I went over to the espresso machine.
Jeg har lavet kaffe mange gange nu, så det gik hurtigt.	I have made coffee many times now, so it went quickly.
Det var en god følelse at kende vores gæster.	It was a good feeling to know our guests.
hanging up apron
Storyboard: After the busy shift ends, Maya scrubs the wooden counter clean. She hangs her apron on the hook in the staff room, locks the front door, and steps out into the bright afternoon street, happy with what she has learned so far.
Min tredje vagt på caféen var endelig slut.	My third shift at the café was finally over.
Det har været en meget travl lørdag.	It has been a very busy Saturday.
Jeg vaskede den store trædisk ren.	I washed the large wooden counter clean.
Bagefter gik jeg ud i personalerummet.	Afterwards, I went out into the staff room.
Jeg tog mit forklæde af.	I took off my apron.
Jeg hængte det på den første krog på væggen.	I hung it on the first hook on the wall.
Jeg har lært rigtig meget på mine første vagter.	I have learned a whole lot on my first shifts.
Jeg har endelig lært at skumme mælk rigtigt.	I have finally learned to froth milk correctly.
Jeg har også lært at huske en fast kundes bestilling.	I have also learned to remember a regular customer's order.
Det har været sjovt, men jeg var også lidt træt.	It has been fun, but I was also a bit tired.
Jeg tog min taske fra bordet.	I took my bag from the table.
Så gik jeg ud til hoveddøren.	Then I walked out to the front door.
Eftermiddagsholdet tog nu over.	The afternoon shift now took over.
Jeg trådte ud på gaden.	I stepped out onto the street.
Eftermiddagssolen skinnede stærkt over byen.	The afternoon sun was shining brightly over the city.
Jeg smilede for mig selv på vejen til bussen.	I smiled to myself on the way to the bus.
Jeg er meget glad for mit nye frivillige arbejde.	I am very happy with my new volunteer work.
Jeg glæder mig allerede til min fjerde vagt.	I am already looking forward to my fourth shift.

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