Day 5 – Monday 23rd July

When I arrived at Stratford Station this morning, it was considerably busier than last week.  I’m not sure if it’s to do with the Olympics – people star spotting or spectators doing a dummy-run – or because it’s the school holidays.  Luckily I’d arrived early to buy sun-cream, because, finally, the sun’s come out!  It’s one extreme or another, rain, rain, rain or huge heat and sun.  I was fortunate to meet another Games Maker in Boots, so we could benefit from the buy-one-get-one-free offer, which was very handy.

I arrived at work early again, despite the crowds.  Today we’ve been given reward cards.  Every time we get a sticker we get a prize.  I’m not sure what the reward is at the end, but I’m excited.  I found there was suncream available, but I think I’m happier with my own.

At the break-room I met Christina and Carlos who were just on their way to lunch after a quiet morning.  I joined them, which turned out to be a great decision – not just because they’re awesome people, but also because on the way a big red double-decker bus pulled round the corner.  I looked up to the top deck as I saw someone move, to see a lot of athletes waving at us – athletes with Team GB uniform.  I enthusiastically waved back.  My day had been made!

We also met with Mitzi, who’d been moved to Puerto Rico (the team not the country).  It was lovely to see her again and catch up.

Lunch came and went, but the Venezuelans were still at their lunch, so we went to the break room, chatted, caught up with the news, watched the Weakest Link.  It was great to have some us-time, to be ourselves and not just team-members.  We then headed back to the Venezuela office.  Luckily someone had brought from Venezuela a pile of magazines about their Olympics team, so we read that, helped Shernaz to read the Spanish, talked about language to one of the coaches, Victor.  We also talked Spanish-language music, as the office ladies had their iPod on. 

It was a very slow day.  On one hand I was enjoying everyone’s company, but on the other hand I was buzzing to do something helpful. So, when I was asking to sort out an error at the guest pass centre I jumped at the chance.  By this time, Christina had gone home and Carlos was on errands, so it was just me in the office.  It was me a great opportunity to chat to the office staff and coaches and trainers.  This experience is so good for my Spanish, especially being exposed to such a different accent and some different vocabulary.  After another trip to talk to the Guest Pass people about the error before, I came back to a couple of requests about room errors.  On my return I made sure to let the person who told me know it had been noted down.

“But will they do something about it?” he teased.  He then joked about remembering that British and Germans are always on time!  I’m really glad that we’re at a point with the Venezuelans where we can laugh with them.  It’s possibly made my day as much as waving at a bus-full of Team GB, as did chatting to one of the athletes – a shooter, I think.  She was lovely, and loved being in London, asking me where to visit.  She and her coach also told me I should visit Venezuela, and the whole of South America.  In all honesty, I’d love to, but of course it’s expensive to get there.  I didn’t mention the danger to them!

So quiet was the day that I went home early.  But the day wasn’t pointless – I’m so happy to be here.  All the events brightened my day and are things I’ll never forget.

Day 4 – Sunday 22nd July

Two of my three or four (if I’m lucky) days off seem to be Olympics-related.  I’m literally living, breathing, eating and sleeping Olympics at the moment.  In the mornings I write my diary from the day before, I invariably leave early for work (in case there are delays).  Being in Olympics uniform, there’s rarely any 1h40 journey that goes by without a question about my job.  Then I go to work, come home and sleep, where I dream about the Olympic village.

And I love every moment.  I mean, how many people really have to privilege of knowing the Olympic Village so well they dream about it at night?  I love my job very much.

So today was my first day off.  It was great to have a rest, but I always caught myself wondering what was going on all those miles away.

After a lazy morning we headed to Falconwood Harvester to spend time with Matt’s family because his brother is on leave from Afghanistan.  It was great to meet him, see his photos and hear his stories: a very unique experience and so great to finally meet one of Britain's heroes.  Harvester was good, as always, but, as always, I filled up too much on the free salad!

Following that, Matt, Maxine and I went back to Bexleyheath – to Danson Park to see the Olympic torch arrive.  There was a great party, with free Coke and Nature Valley bars (as if I don’t get enough of those at work).  There was music and entertainment on the stage as well with, according to statistics, 20,000 spectators watching and, like us, lining the route the torch would take.  The sun was shining brightly – a welcome release after months of rain.  It was great to be able to sit and soak in the sun whilst waiting for the torch to arrive.

About ten minutes before the projected time, everyone stood up, and the day turned from a lazy Sunday afternoon in the park to a once in a lifetime opportunity.  The park was buzzing with excitement, the atmosphere was electric, the people were cheering anyone walking past.  Suddenly, a wave of louder cheers could be heard in the distance and before long we saw it: the legendary flame on the golden torch, being carried proudly by Lennox Lewis.  As he strode past it was clear how proud he was at being involved in this inequivocable moment.

A great moment but a quick one.  Lennox climbed onto the stage and lit a cauldron for everyone to see, and everyone cheered again, much much louder than before.  Not for the first time this week, and definitely not the last the month (I hope) I felt so proud of my country.  I’d missed the opportunity to see the flame in Birmingham and Hastings, missing it both times by just a few days, so it was great to be given the honour of being able to see it before it reaches London next week.

Following this we rejoined Matt’s brothers and friends at the pub.  It was great to meet everyone.  One guy told me he’s putting up the parents of a Danish rower – his girlfriend’s Danish and this was part of a scheme Denmark had set up to avoid the extortionate costs of London’s hotels.  It was so great to see this side of the Olympic spirit, right here in Bexleyheath.

So, it was a busy day off in the end, but a lovely one, meeting some lovely new people and basking more in the Olympic fever that’s becoming more and more evident here in Britain’s capital.

Day 3 – Saturday 21st July

There’s a well-known saying about London buses – that you wait ages for one and then several come along at once.  Apparently that culture has transferred over to London 2012.  I arrived early in case there was any news I needed to take my time reading.  The rest of my team from the morning shift were taking a break, so I joined them.  I sadly learnt that Mitzi had been moved to the Puerto Rican team, where they needed a Spanish-speaking driver, so we were down a Spanish speaker and a driver, and I’d have to work alone in the afternoon after people from the morning shift had gone home.

At first it didn’t seem like a terrible prospect.  There were a couple of events – some men came to remove some furniture to turn a bedroom into an office space.  One of the officials at one point came running to me and saying that her phone was speaking to her in French.  In fact it was the automated message from Vodafone advising her to top up, which left them all in hysterics.  We also had to chase up some office furniture that was ordered in May.

The drama began after Kathleen and Christina had gone home.  I was sitting with the Chef de Mission, Artemio.  He’d been asking me if I was married.  The was puzzling for me until I remembered – in Spain they wear wedding rings on their right hands, where I wear a ring my parents gave me.  I quickly explained this, to his amusement.  They then asked me to find a news channel in Spanish on the television in the office.  They’d just settled on watching the BBC News instead when Marelia came into the office to ask me to go to the residence desk to chase some missing keys.  This was all forgotten when I arrived to find a huge pile of Venezuelan luggage outside the Residence Office.  I hurried back to the Venezuelans, foreseeing that I’d have to carry it all.  Luckily the NOC Americas boss – my superior – was there and together we persuaded a couple of Venezuelans – the Doctor and some coaches – to come and help me.  It was there it was realised that one was missing.  There was a lot of stressful pandemonium as I helped with the cases and ask the poor office guy for help to find the missing suitcase.  Unfortunately for the man whose case was missing, the only solution was to wait for half an hour to an hour for the van to finish dropping all the cases off all over the Village and then return.  The situation with the missing keys, and luggage, is difficult because I already know the answers before I go down to the office, but with an official standing there next to me I have to ask anyway.  The positive thing is that I’ve become really comfortable around officials in the office, such as Marelia, so my Spanish is getting as fluent as during the year abroad.

It really is a dream come true to work every day in Spanish.  It’s a beautiful language and a wonderful feeling to get it right.  I can even hear myself speaking in a Venezuelan accent.  Kathleen says that it proves that I’m musical, which is really nice to hear.  I don’t know, though, if it’s great or a disaster for my Spanish!

Dinner was good again – lamb, potatoes, mangetout and broccoli.  I met up with Roy, who I met at a couple of training sessions.  It’s lovely that he remembers me, and this time came bearing the gift of a knitting pattern for a bloke in a Games Maker uniform!  He (Roy) is a really good bloke – a sort of gentle giant.  I think he’s a retired policeman.  He’s been working with Ethiopia, and before that was helping other countries to move in.  When I was given a pin this morning, I felt so privileged to be included as part of the Venezuela team.  However, Roy had several on each side of his lanyard.  Pins being the coveted thing in the Olympic Village, needless to say, I’m a little jealous!

Thankfully everything that I’d had to leave hanging was resolved after dinner quite quickly, except the keys which should arrive soon, hopefully tomorrow.  I was sitting in the office watching Indiana Jones with an athlete when I was told there was nothing left for me to do.  When I leave, I always double check that they really want me to go – partially because I don’t want them to feel obliged to let me go, and also because I don’t want to miss anything going on in the Village.

On the way back, I chatted to a woman working in the Aquatic Centre, who told me that some Australians had told her that our pool was better than Sydney 2000 – what an honour!  I have the day off tomorrow.  I’m really looking forward to it, but with a pang of guilt that I’m away from Olympic Village for a whole day!

Day 2 – Friday 20th July

Today was more of a fixed timetable, starting at 3 and ending at 10.  I arrived early, at half 2, to rest from my long commute in before facing the day ahead.  There was a group of ladies waiting for their country, the Bahamas, to finish their meeting.  I reassured them that the same had happened to us, and that we’d gone on a walk, which seemed to brighten their day a little.

I find most Games Makers easy to talk to.  They’re eager to share their knowledge, anecdotes and experiences.  One man in the Opening Ceremony this morning showed me a quicker way to get from Lewisham to Stratford, which was very helpful.  He couldn’t share anything about the Opening Ceremony, but you could sense a certain buzz about him to suggest that it’s going to be very, very good.

After quickly meeting with everyone, we headed to the office, where we were set to work straight away.  After reporting a leak in a bathroom, Carlos, Kathleen, Shernaz and I were set to work, moving a bed, bedding, mattress and nightstand from one floor to another via a lift, which was as difficult as it sounded, and involved Kathleen having to teach us how to make a bed with hospital corners (in my defence I’ve only used fitted sheets before!), and we also moved a table and whiteboard from one meeting room to another.  It’s just a demonstration of how varied our tasks are.  Which I really like.

Following that, whilst chasing some missing stationery, Shernaz and I happened upon some arriving athletes and trainers.  They were really lovely, and all call me ‘Sofía’, which is probably best for now.  The athletes looked pretty nervous, but seeing their faces light up after I pointed out the WiFi passwords was wonderful.  I’ve found all the athletes I’ve spoken to really pleasant and just normal.  I was in a lift with a girl from El Salvador who was really nice, and excited to be in London.  I know we’ve been told not to bother the athletes, but I really don’t want to be cold.  I’ve found just saying ‘Hi’ or even ‘How are you?’ to meet somewhere in the middle is nice and appropriate.

After this, we reunited some suitcases with their owners, and then went in search of the missing stationery.  This concluded in being sent to Westfield Shopping Centre for some supplies.  It felt a little strange being in the outside world.  It was amazing how many athletes were there shopping.  Some Australians stopped me to ask for directions to a place to buy an iron.  As I said, just normal people.  It’s just so nice, and makes it easy not to be star-struck. 

By the time everything was finished it was well past dinner-time.  Today’s dinner of pasta and vegetables was a little more sensible than toad in the hole and couscous, and having been told to take our time we chatted with one of the Holiday Inn employees, Leanne.  She had been nominated by her boss in Ireland to work at the Village, which must have been a wonderful honour.  All the Holiday Inn people come from all over the world, and have crazy hours.

The Venezuelans wanted a quiet evening so we were sent home early.  It was another tiring day for all at the Olympic Village, and I don’t see it changing.  But I love helping and keeping busy.  I think people like seeing me on the trains in my uniform (I narrowly escaped being a ‘referee’ for some drunk people doing gymnastics on the train poles).  However, I regretted naming the fake caller function on my Olympics phone “Hugo Chavez” (after the Venezuelan president) when I pocket-dialled the fake caller and had a heart attack when my phone rang and Hugo Chavez was on the caller ID!  Ha!

Day 1 – Thursday 19th July 2012

(Foreword - sorry for the late update - the place I was staying didn't have internet.  But now I do!  I'll post daily, but the updates will be a week after the occurrence.  Better late than never, eh?)

It’d be a lie to say that I wasn’t nervous this morning.  Images on the news of the media bothering fellow “Games Makers” last night added to worries about language and my responsibilities.  But I was so excited.  After six months of interviews and training, travelling down/ up to London once a month, this was it.  My stint at the London 2012 Olympic Games was beginning.

Despite my dummy run the previous day, which I was grateful for, I left in good time.  At the moment I’m staying in Bexleyheath with the wonderful Maxine and Matt – a good hour’s journey by train, bus or District Light Railway from the village in Stratford, with about 30 minutes’ walking added on.

On my way to the station I decided to stop at Sainsbury’s for a snack and drink – the best bet seeing as it’s a sponsor of the Games and I didn’t want to get into trouble for using an ASDA carrier bag/ products.  However, I didn’t expect to see three workers standing in the first aisle looking horrified.  I know the jury’s out on whether the uniform looks good or not, but I didn’t think it was that bad!

“Are you here for us or just for you?” one of them stuttered – they thought I was there for an inspection!  

I laughed a lot, apologised and reassured them that I just wanted a snack for my journey.  After that they were more relaxed, asking questions about my role.  I warned them that I’d probably be back.  I don’t want to be guilty of giving Sainsbury’s in Bexleyheath a scare every day!

On the train I felt a little conspicuous in my purple and red top, beige trousers and grey shoes.  I had a nice chat with an American man, who works in insurance in the City.  He seemed pretty positive about the Olympics, which was nice to hear after so much negativity in the media.  As the DLR train neared Stratford, more purple and red shirts appeared on the train.  Rather than feeling nervously conspicuous I started feeling a sense of pride and solidarity, which only grew as the train neared Stratford, the beautiful Olympic Stadium standing proud for everyone to see, a little like a crown.

At the station I met Carlos, one of my team members, and a Spanish opera singer, and we both walked into the Olympic Village together.  After passing through the airport-style security, manned by some very cheery security guys, I picked up my meal vouchers and a bottle of water and we made our way up the path.  The sight was amazing.  Some of the countries have already arrived, so the balconies of their residences have been draped in flags.  Some countries, like Italy, have put massive banners up too.

At 11 we met the other team members – Christina, Mitzi, Shernaz and Kathleen – and we sat in the break room, exchanging numbers and waiting for Venezuela to leave their initial meeting.  1 o’clock came and went, so we made our way to the dining area.  It was pretty much a school canteen, with a McDonald’s in the corner, a salad bar and a hot food counter, with piles of fruit and cereal bars in the centre, plus fridges of Coca Cola products and water.  I opted for a strange mixture of toad in the hole and couscous (yeah, I know) and corn on the cob.  There were so many people in the canteen, which is amazing seeing as not everyone’s arrived yet.  And there weren’t just people in purple, but also in blue, army uniform and police uniform.  We were amazed by the number of guns the policemen had.

We returned to the break room still not having been called.  Instead of hanging around we went for a walk to see all the apartment blocks and their decorations.  Some athletes and officials were milling around.  It was so great to see so many nations in one place.  We managed to sneak a peek at a team welcome ceremony – a short procession for every country, which is important for some countries that may not win any medals, with a colourful performance at the end.

Finally at about 4 we got the call.  Christina went to greet the delegates (no athletes yet) and we headed to their apartment block.  Whilst we were waiting, the New Zealand team walked by, dressed very smartly in black and white and carrying a banner.  We could only guess they were going to their team ceremony.

Finally a very tired group of Venezuelan officials arrived on a bus with Christina.  Together we greeted them all, then a nice guy, Alex, from the support team showed us around, revealing that we’d have to go into each of the athletes’ and officials’ rooms to do an inventory of everything, to make sure everything was there and functioning.  The most bizarre was a missing shower rail, and a whole apartment with missing keys.  This process took a while, but it was fun trying to speed the process up.  Christina and I became really efficient!

With the Venezuelans sleepy and jet-lagged we were allowed to go at 7/7h30.  Some people went straight home, but Carlos, Shernaz and I opted to use our meal voucher.  I went to McD’s because I felt I deserved it!

On the way back it was lovely to stand and talk with some other Games Makers – one driving at ExCel and one doing accreditation (passes) at the Villiage – she’d done some of the Venezuelans!  It made me realise that we’re all cogs in a very special, precious, important wheel.  As the BBC demonstrated yesterday, perhaps not everyone will appreciate this, but it doesn’t make it any less special or exciting.  I can’t wait for tomorrow!

Pipedream (8 days to go)

In early July 2005 the decision was made in Singapore for London to host the Olympic Games in July/August 2012. I remember the build-up, the day, the euphoria, very well. I remember my Geography teacher standing in the classroom that overlooked the English Channel, pointing in the general direction of France, and making a joke. Of course, Paris, against the odds, had lost out to us.

I was only 15 years of age and, although it seemed like half a lifetime away, I remember thinking to myself, “I’ll be 22 by then. I’ll be old enough to work there.” It seemed like a pipedream. I imagined that sort of work to be only available for people who knew the likes of Steve Redgrave and Seb Coe. Plus, 2012 seemed such a long way away. To any fifteen-year-old, anything above eighteen seems old and a very long way away.

Over the years, my life has moved on dramatically. I’ve finished my studies, I just graduated with a 2:1 at the University of Birmingham with a degree in French, Spanish and European Studies. I’ve spent a life-changing year abroad, meeting wonderful people, seeing unforgettable places. Like every young person, I’ve had relationships and friendships come and go. I’ve made brilliant decisions and I’ve made terrible mistakes, and everything in between. It feels like I’m a whole different person now, and yet fundamentally I’m the same happy, healthy person I always was. And the preparation for the London 2012 Olympic Games has always been there.

Two years ago, just before I went abroad, the call-out for Volunteers – Games Makers – began. Remembering that day, that pipedream five years previously, I took a chance and applied. It didn’t need a second thought. I ticked through all the boxes. I’d find a place in London. I’d do anything possible to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of the Olympic Games and represent my country. I think I applied to work in the shops in a few of the venues. I didn’t realise my language skills would be recognised the way they have been.

I went abroad and had the time of my life. The application remained at the back of my mind, and was soon forgotten nothing came of it. I was all right with that – I could be a part of the Olympics in other ways. Namely on my couch.

But then, a little over six months ago, almost like something out of Harry Potter, I unexpectedly received the letter asking me to ExCel near the London Docklands for an interview. It was for a totally different post than the one I had applied for, one I had no idea about, but still exciting. I took a cheeky day off Uni and breezed into the interview, nowhere near nervous enough, more interested in the interview practice (I had another the following day for something totally different) than daring to believe I could get the position, and had a wonderful chat with the interviewer for twenty minutes. Maybe I would have been more nervous had I known I really was in with a chance

A month later, on a train to see my Aunt in Scotland, I got the email through. I excitedly told the man next to me; I phoned my parents; I told my Aunt when I arrived; I told my other Scottish relatives. I couldn’t believe I would be a part of this.

Since then, I’ve been to role training in various parts of East London once a month, negotiating everything around my lectures and my exams. With great difficulty I arranged place(s) to stay in London, for which I am extremely grateful. I've walked alone in Hackney in the dead of night. I've been up at the crack of dawn. I tried to drive a BMW around the scary streets of London. I've walked around the Olympic Village. Venezuela is my new favourite country. The training has been an experience in itself.

Now it’s just past midnight on July 11th 2012. In less than six days I’ll be at my first house in London. In 8 days I start my first shift. The London 2012 website says it’s just under 17 days to go until 20h12 (see what they did there?) on July 27th , when the Opening Ceremony begins.

The pipedream of a fifteen year old girl is getting very, very real. I couldn’t be more excited!