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!

Exam Season!

I realised I haven’t blogged for a while.  My life has been a mêlée of revision and exams, mixed with keyboard playing and a little writing every day to keep me sane.

I’m beginning to think beyond my final exam next Monday.  It’s extremely exciting.  I have an interview for a company called ‘Babylangues’ on Wednesday, which, if I get the position, may see me back in Nantes (where I spent my first semester of the Year Abroad) for a couple of months.  I’ve been applying for other jobs here and there, with differing levels of language usage.  I’ve had a couple of rejections, but that’s okay: the Olympics will last several weeks and it’s a long time to wait for a member of staff.  And teaching French kids English would be fun!

I’ve been doing a little research about Venezuela in my spare time in preparation for July and August.  The more I learn the more excited I grow.  I’m waiting until my Spanish exam is over before I look more into the differences between Latin American Spanish and Castilian (Spanish) Spanish and their different customs and idioms are.  I know there are some subtle differences, and something said innocently in one can be offensive in the other.  I don’t want to cause an international debacle! 

I’m finding the pressure of everything lifting a little as my degree completion bar looks more and more full, and I’m definitely starting to feel like myself again.

I’m starting to find ideas for post-exams – and, funnily enough, they’re all creative.

The list so far:

·         Write.  This is my passion (outside languages) and something I have missed doing since I finished a novella called The Conscription last summer (which is available on request!).  Luckily I’ve helped my longing by writing short 100-250-word flash-fiction in the evenings (which is also available!).  It’s been like nibbling on something when all you want is a big three-course meal: it just makes me hungry for more!

·         Cook.  Okay, so I can cook well enough to survive and feel good about what I’ve eaten every day, but I want to broaden my horizons a little.  Be able to cook something special.  I received a French Cuisine Cookbook for my birthday last month, and I want to learn to make tapas, too.  And desserts.  I love making desserts.

·         Sew.  I want to learn to make clothes.  I started to take the first steps last summer, but for some reason time sort of ran away from me.  My mother used to make my clothes when I was little and I’m still in awe of her.  I have a couple of patterns for tops I want to make.

I also want to make Spanish and French into a pastime.  It’s so much a part of who I am, and I want to enjoy it again.  I mean, with the amount of music I listen to and movies I watch I’ve never really lost that love.  But it’s always been part-enjoyment, part-studying.  I just want to be free to love it!

By the end of the summer/ my unemployment (whichever comes first) hopefully the creative juices will be flowing and I’ll have something awesome to do in the evenings and weekends!  I can’t wait for a life where I don’t have to worry about work after 5pm.  Of course, I am well aware that I am possibly speaking too soon.  Oh!  The delights of the unknown!

The unknown’s on my doorstep.  It’s so exciting!

It's Getting More Real

A very big blog update today – in length and importance.

Yesterday (May 3^rd) saw my return to London’s East End for my fifth Games Maker training meeting, otherwise known as the day I found out the country I was going to be linked to in July and August.  Alongside six others, I’m going to be an NOC (National Olympic Committee) Assistant to Venezuela.  I’m so very excited.  I love learning about new places!  The two girls I met are really lovely and I'm really looking forward to working with them and meeting the rest of my team. 

Any chance to speak Spanish is a godsend to me.  After enquiring a little and reading around the Internet, it looks like a great country.  I really can’t wait to represent the UK, and to be a cog the massive machinery that’s going to make the Olympics go smoothly and amazingly.  I’m truly excited.

Obviously, I have to pick and choose what I post here, but I shall share my experience, for people who are interested and for my own future reference.  Everything I put here will be honest.  In other words, if I’m positive, it’ll be me saying it and not just in case LOCOG find the time in their very busy schedule to find this blog and read it.

Today I returned to London – this time to the UDAC centre to pick up my uniform.  This is one of the many things that has convinced me that the Olympics are going to run very smoothly: if a simple uniform collection can be planned so well, with so much thought through, then the events are going to be marvellous.

I admit I was nervous about the Uniform.  It had received bad press and opinions, and I wasn’t too sure about the colouring.  However, I don’t know what it is, but it’s a lot better in reality.  It could be the excitement; it could be having adjusted to it.  But it’s wonderful.  It’s so, so comfortable and practical (non-iron!).  There’s something about knowing that it’s so sustainable (made of recycled material) that’s comforting as well. 

 

I also got my identity/access card, which is exciting but nerve-wracking.  I don’t want to lose it!  The photo on it is incredibly serious.  As photos are when they tell you not to smile!  It’s not quite as murderous as the one on my passport and driving license, more… ‘Don’t you dare mess with me’.   Ha ha ha.

On the way home, I took a detour to find one of the only two or three Chipotle restaurants in London.  It’s an American Mexican restaurant chain that does things like burritos and tacos, but the best thing there (that I can’t believe they didn’t invent in the UK yet) is the wonderful burrito bowl.  It’s literally a bowl full of burrito filling, without the messiness and calories of a tortilla wrap.  If I had some spare cash I’d certainly start a business!  It was as tasty as America, most definitely, if not as big a portion size (thank goodness!).

I’m genuinely very happy to be alive and British this year.  I came home to amazing plans for the Jubilee weekend (I’ve always wanted a street party!), and the Olympics are so, so close (according to the website, just under 84 days until the Opening Ceremony). 

It’s going to be a great summer.

Anticipation

4 exams down, 5 to go.  It's been a bit of a mix.  One terrible (apparently I came out looking pale), two good and one I feel great about.  So on average pretty good, I think.  Last night almost resulted in disaster due to our next door neighbours’ partying antics at 4am, but this morning’s exam turned out to be the best so far.  I think this was partly due to the desire for some form of (very) passive revenge, and, of course, mostly because of my excellent study regime!  And tea.  The importance of tea can never be forgotten in times of need.

At this moment in time I just can’t wait for the exams to be over and for the rest of my life to begin!

Tomorrow following my exam I’m back off to London's East End for my fifth module training for the Olympics.  This is the big’un, when I find out which continent and then country I will be a part of during the five and a bit weeks I’m working there which until now has been kept as a big surprise.  I’m really excited.  I don’t really mind who I get.  I just can’t wait to represent this country the best I can, and to be unofficially a part of another.  

I return to London to get my sexy Games Maker Uniform (including bag and the all-important umbrella) and Pass on Friday as well, so it’s a big week for me Olympics-wise.  Everything seems to be stepping up a gear, which is wonderful as it makes it become so much more real and gives me something to look forward to.  I booked my driver training for after the exams so I don’t have to freak out either thing anything more than I have to.

I’ve also applied for a couple of jobs – one in London, one in Nantes and one in Hastings – but I’m not really holding much hope because of my commitment to the Olympics.  Except perhaps for the one in Nantes because that wouldn’t start until September.  Plus, I mean, it’s Nantes.  If I could live in Nantes or Oviedo I think my life would be complete.

In the meantime, music, writing, friends and family are helping my plough on through my exams.  I can’t believe I’m so close to the end!