Frankie & Ryan ESCAPE FROM HELL

[ryanreacts]

For the last month, my sister and I have been stuck in Gardiner, Montana Hell.

In October, we were offered seasonal housekeeping jobs at The Ridgeline Hotel. We were told that we could move in on November 19th and start work the next day, but shortly after arriving we were told that we actually wouldn't start work until December 4th. And when we finally did start work, we were informed that hours would be minimal until at least mid-January, TWO FULL MONTHS after we got there.

The whole point of accepting these jobs was to earn as much money as possible, so what was the fucking point of lying about our start date? What was the point of hiring us at all if there were almost no hours until the season was half over?

Plus, we didn't have access to a kitchen, and the free breakfast we had heard about wasn't available yet because the season hadn't started. So we had to stress over every cent we spent, even if we only spent money on food because we were hungry.

PLUS, the bunk beds in our tiny room were majorly uncomfortable

Also, our start date wasn't the only thing that the Operations Manager lied about. Was she "really" a liar, or "just" seriously disorganized? I don't know, and I don't care. The point is, we were utterly miserable.

BUT THEN, twelve days ago, Frankie found another nearby job on CoolWorks! Dishwashers slash stewards slash Back Of House Associates at Crazy Mountain Ranch!

We both applied on Sunday, December 10th. And then, the very next day, the Executive Chef gave her a call. They talked for nearly an hour, and he called me almost immediately after. I was pretty much convinced that we would not get hired, since staff housing is three miles away from the restaurant and the roads are impossible to walk on in winter . . . but apparently both of our references said good things about us, because he offered us jobs that Tuesday, less than forty-eight hours after we applied!

One week later, on December 19th, we left the Ridgeline (November 19th to December 19th - we are beyond grateful that we only stayed for one month!) and moved in here. And then, wonder of wonders, we really did start work the very next day!

I . . . honestly can't believe it. This place is so much better.

 

• The housing is free (technically we each have to pay a $500 deposit, but those will get taken out of our first three paychecks) and, get this, WE HAVE OUR OWN ROOMS! With our own bathrooms and walk-in closets with built-in shelves! And full beds which are literally one thousand times more comfortable than those goddamn bunk beds, I am not even exaggerating.
• Whenever we work we get free food, and they feed us very well. Tacos, fish & chips, yellow curry, beef stroganoff. Today we got a whole Christmas dinner: braised tri-tip, loaded mashed potatoes, green beans, carrots, stuffing, cranberries, and beignets! And there's always leftover food, so we can pack ourselves a to-go box. AND the staff dining room has bread, cereal, apples, chips, string cheese, Gatorade, and I don't even know what else!
• There's a hiring bonus, which we should receive next week.
• Our building has a kitchenette, but we are like a one-minute walk away from a building with a huge full kitchen we can use whenever we want. Which we haven't done so far, what with all the free food.
• We don't have to leave our building to do laundry, we can just walk downstairs.
• I am still somewhat shocked by this, but literally no one has even asked why I don't drive. Three people other than Frankie have driven me to or from work, and none of them have said or done anything to make me feel like a burden.

So, yeah. This place is a massive major upgrade. I am thinking we will probably take our money and return to Washington once the season ends, but it's so nice here that we might possibly decide to stick around. We'll see.

In conclusion: If this is a dream, DO NOT fucking pinch me.