Tomorrow is my second volunteer shift for the 2010 Olympics...my venue is going to be UBC Thunderbird Stadium (mostly women's hockey, although there will be two men's games I work there also)...so, my first shift was Friday Feb 5th (the day after arriving home from Vietnam...can you say "jetlag?")...the first shift was great...I'll give a quick synopsis:
Drove to Kirk's work, dropped my car there. Jumped onto bus to head to UBC (I had steadfastly done my research on the web the night before as I am not a transit user). Well, luckily I checked with the driver after a few minutes...just to make sure I was headed the right way. Of course, I was not on the correct bus (for some reason the 9 bus only goes to UBC 50% of the time? How do you know if it goes or not, I have no idea!). The driver helpfully told me to catch the 99 to UBC and I just have to walk up Broadway to Granville...it was a great way to head to the venue, since I know driving is out of the question. Half an hour later I arrive at the bus loop at UBC and walk another 10 minutes (in the right direction this time!) and get to UBC Thunderbird Stadium half an hour early...
The shift was great...we are "Team Leaders" and will be in charge of approximately 10 event services staff (mostly ushers). We did a lot of training today, particularly in the outside security area...we also worked shifts around the facility so that we understand what our reports are being asked to do.
There were two women's hockey teams practicing today...Team Sweden and Team Slovakia. You can feel the excitement from everyone involved, from the athletes, to the security, to the police officers, to the other volunteers, to the paid staff, etc. Even all the stares from onlookers on the bus as they saw me in my uniform! This city is coming to life!
My second shift is tomorrow...at BC Place ... for the dress rehearsal for the opening ceremonies. I was able to score tickets for Kirk and one daughter to go to the evening. Should be fun for them. I hope I am in position to see some of the night myself! We'll see how it all goes! Stay tuned...
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Kim, I will be at the Venue Communications Center in the Plaza of Nations from 3:30 to 11 pm on Wednesday. If you have a radio (or know someone with a radio) I will be at call sign BASE. We are there to relay communications between team members.
ReplyDeleteGreat to read about someone else's adventure.
Too bad I didn't get this message until now. I was call sign "Kingston 10"...not sure if you heard me at the end of the night as I had a lost boy I was trying to reunite for about 30 minutes with his aunt. All worked out in the end! I am jealous you were inside all day! I wasn't so lucky!
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