Park Life!

Hurrah!  At last I find role that is more stimulating.

Yesterday began at 6.20 am with a good morning from behind me as a lined up to sign in for the day. Yes, still on time!  It was the northern guy who had pecked me on the cheek last week.  Is he stalking me? Strange that he is directly behind me out of 70,000 volunteers.  He then came and sat by me as I had coffee to wake me up.  I made my excuses quickly as he told me he would come and find me later!

I had asked to work in Information today as Mobility was not really getting me anywhere!  I had to do some negotiating with the staffing team (of which I was meant to be a part) because I had not been trained!  Was told to go to Britannia Row, opposite Park Live (the big screen) where I had been before.  But this time in a nice white tent away from the sun, sand, wind and rain - it just gets better I thought, especially as I was to work with two nice, young, friendly guys.  They quickly showed me the ropes and I jumped straight in.  We were quite busy with most people requesting maps (despite the fact the same ones were sent with their tickets) until the events in the  venues began at 9.00.  We then had about 2 hours with little to do so we sat and watched the games on the PC.  From 11.30 the crowds began egressing (official Games Maker terminology), so much so that I found it difficult to go and have lunch with Elaine (sporting her increasingly battered orange Panama hat) who treated me to a salad on her EDF vouchers.

 I had progressed from "where are the toilets?" to how do I get the recycled tickets, which incidentally they have stopped issuing because they deem the Olympic Park to be too crowded.  They do change the rules almost daily!  No wonder the public get confused and annoyed at times.  I assisted a father and son from abroad get to see Stamford Bridge, gave out info on the Leonardo exhibition, helped many people plan journeys to other venues,  completed a number of lost and found reports (no children today, thankfully), advised on what could be seen for free in the Park, as everyone had been advised to come 2 hours early and as a result had plenty of time to kill and a lesser quota of "where are the toilets?"  My Park knowledge, gleaned from being posted in different locations, came in very useful.  Being mostly busy of course meant that time went faster.  I finally felt I was doing a more worthwhile job and actually helping people.  Everyone was nice and friendly.  A better day! 

And aren't Team GB doing brilliantly!  There is a great spirit in the Park which is a joy to witness.  Came home and watched the Games on TV.  Seems I can't get enough!

Had scheduled day off today and won't be working tomorrow  because we have tickets to the Stadium - Mo Farah in the 5000m heats. Hurrah!