Here's a list of things I've loved so far....
1) Volunteering:
Basically I hang out in the Trade Centre and make sure that no one is where they shouldn't be, I know it's a hard life. All of the athletes are staying in the four hotels that are connected to the Trade Centre which has been transformed into the Athlete's village, it's all connected through pedways. The Trade Centre/Village includes the dinning room, Polyclinic, volunteer lounge and pretty much the sweetest athlete's lounge around. There's more in there but I don't really go there so I don't know what it is, like the mission offices. All I know is that Mission's staff think they are REALLY important and never want to check their coats and bag. So I pretty much hang out during the day and chat with coaches, athletes, Mission's Staff, other volunteers...really anyone because everyone is so friendly. Some of my co volunteers take it a little seriously....but it's ok. Better to be safe than sorry right? I even spoke to Kyle Shewfelt, Olympic Gold medalist from Athens and had NO IDEA. He's here with AthletesCan and gave me a pin! I then asked him what AthletesCan was and he was very nice...even though I realize now how stupid I must have looked. I probably should have done a little more research
2) Pins.
This shit is crazy team. I knew about Pin trading from hanging out in Vancouver last year but I had no idea it would take over here.
Pretty much everyone associated with the Games has pins that they give away and the point is to trade them. There is no real value system, it's just whatever you think is a great deal. There are some more rare pins but most of them are from the Territories so they are just rare to begin with. I wasn't going to collect pins...it's way to addictive, but then a really sweet little Albertan gymnast really wanted me to have one, so it started. At first I was just going to accept the pin but then quickly realized other provinces don't like it when you're not wearing their pin too....so I quickly accumulated an entire province/territory set. So pin collecting (I don't trade pins...I only accept them) is pretty great and gives you something to talk about to non-chatty co volunteers.)
3)Free Concerts!
So far I've seen Joel Plaskett, Hey!Rosetta and Matt Mays, all for FREE! Plus I sort of get a double show because they do their sound checks while I volunteer, I can't see them but the concerts take place literally right outside the athlete's village. Tuesday was too cold to stand outside and watch Sloan, (really...too cold, -30 with the wind chill and 70 km winds) but Saturday is Great Big Sea! Halifax is prepping themselves for the big crowds!
4) Athletes
These. Kids. are. AWESOME. IF only a quarter of them make it to Sochi 2014, Canada is going to DOMINATE. they are so great. They are all between the ages of 10-18 and are amazing.
I chat with a lot of them when they come in or are leaving. On my early shift they are all coming in for breakfast or leaving to compete so there is plenty of time to chit chat. Surprisingly, most are fairly chatty but there are by far some faves. You get to recognize most people (athletes, coaches, managers, missions staff) that come through, and the cool ones even remember you! Most of the athletes all travel in team packs and I have singled out some faves...
a) Wheelchair basketball - amazing. I don't know why but every single athlete, whether permanently in a wheel chair or not is SO NICE. Especially the boys on the Ontario team, they were pretty excited when I told them I was from Toronto on my first day (a nice change as most people don't think to highly of Toronto 'round here.) Now every time I see them, they stop and say hi or wave as they go bye in the hall. I love 'em! I'm also REALLY impressed with their skills, I don't know how, but most of them manage to go DOWN escalator in their chair.
b) Hockey. Right now it's just boy's hockey, girls play next week. But every team travels as a pack together at all times, coaches, players, managers, everyone. The Alberta boys even dress in the same outfit whenever they come to the Athlete's village - jeans, dress shoes and their grey Alberta sweatshirts. There is rarely a time when you see any hockey players walking around on their own, it's a pretty great way to build team unity! Also, on game day they wear their suits and spray on the Axe! It's just like going to the Keating dances!
c) Ontario's Hockey team: I was invited to a birthday party by one of their coaches on the first day...no I didn't go. Ontario doesn't always wear the same outfits when they come in so I didn't realize but every time they walked by I'd ask them how they were doing and tell them I was from Ontario!
So now their coach has caught on and has started calling me Toronto and giving me high fives...they lost in the semis but have a chance for Bronze tomorrow.
I decided that these Games would be SO fun as an athlete. They get to hang out with their friends all week, stay in a hotel, meet all their competition and hang out with other awesome kids from across the country. It's sort of neat because, depending on the sport, most of the teams know each other and their competitors and are actually very friendly. They been competing against them for a while now, so I guess it's easier to get to know them rather than not like them. what's cool is that they could all end up competing for Canada together in a few years....it's like watching the team being formed from the inside out!
5) Event:
I've been to two events. Most of the events are taking place outside of Halifax so it's hard to get to. But I have seen Wheelchair Basketball and Long Track speed skating....Whoa....
Wheelchair Basketball is CRAZY but amazing. If I ever tell you I want to try it, remind me about these kids....I wouldn't last and would probably break every bone in my body if I were to try it. It's so intense.
If you think speed skating looks fast on TV you should watch it live.....AH-MAZING! I have pictures but I'll post them to FB later.
So that's all for now. There is still a lot to talk about and a lot more to love but I think this post is long enough.
I'll be sure to fill you in on the Athlete's team attire next time...each province has some pretty awesome clothing....oh and the free Great Big Sea concert....no biggie!
Have a great day!
Kate
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