Back in Halifax that is.
I. love. the. Maritimes. There is just a fun-loving vibe! It might be because they play this in the bar though ..Still I love it.
I highly suggest visiting and quickly learning this song.
I filled out an application last year to volunteer for the 2011 Canada Games. I didn't really think of it at the time but when I starting getting Volunteer Newsletters from the Canada Games, I realized that I had actually been approved to volunteer at the Games!
So I'm here in Halifax, it looks pretty much exactly like it did in the summer, except there is a lot of white and a biting cold in the air. What makes it even cooler is that I got here for the Canada Games a year to the day the Olympics in Vancouver started!I also just watched CTV's program for the year anniversary of Vancouver....it was great. I love the Olympics even a year later! I wish they happened EVERY year.
Now, the Canada Games are not the Olympics but they are equally as exciting, just not as global. Why? because some of these kids competing from each province and territory will be our athletes in Sochi 2014! Whoa, I know. I even met one of our Freestyle skiers in the airport...and she won silver today! Congrats Dara Howell! Needless to say I'm pretty pumped to be here.
So here's a run down of my first two days.
I was a little nervous leaving because I really didn't have a lot of information about what I'd be doing. I'd received a few emails and got a message about where to check in but I had no idea of my shifts, times, or even really what I'd be doing. But whatever....I knew it would be fun once I got here.
Things I've learned since arriving:
1) The Maritimes live up to their friendly reputation. I already knew this but it's been pretty obvious in the past two days. I can't tell you how many people have Welcomed me to Halifax! Pretty much everyone I've talked too.
Example: Older lady volunteers at the airport. Somehow, after speaking to them and explaining my situation. ( I just arrived and had no idea what I was doing or how to get the Accreditation Centre.) I was in a van, that I probably wasn't supposed to be in, with the Squash and Short Track officials and was on my way to the Games and the city!
Example 2: Jean.
Getting to the accreditation centre was easy, getting back downtown, not so much. I decided that I was going to figure out the public buses. Enter Jean. Jean first asked me if the bus was coming and then quickly informed me that I was at the wrong stop and that she would walk to me to the right stop. Jean was probably in her late 70's early 80's and loved to talk but all I could make out from our conversation was " I wish I was young again", "the young girls that go to University here go out and get pregnant" and that even though "Toronto and Ontario have an attitude, it's ok". Thanks Jean I probably would have ended up in Truro without you.
2) Halifax just has a different work ethic I think we should adopt.
I didn't really know what I was doing for the Games until this morning. I got a call from my Volunteer supervisor who told me to just show up at the World Trade Centre " at some point" tomorrow and he'd go over all of the training with me. After hanging out in the Security office for a while and meeting tons of volunteers and officials, I learned a lot and did get my schedule in order, but nothing seems too serious.
3) Ontario has a biiiiiiit of a reputation.
So I was introduced to everyone I met today as the girl who came down from Ontario. The usual response was "OOOOOHHH YOU'RE the girl from Ontario!!" This was usually followed up with "...did you come all the way out here to volunteer?" This happened with pretty much everyone I spoke to, from the ladies in the airport yesterday to the head of Security. Something tells me there are not a lot of volunteers from outside of Halifax. I'm not upset about it. Apparently, being from Ontario will get me a new jacket from the Canada Games Store! They only had XL jackets when I checked in so "because I came all the way from Ontario, they'll pick me up a new coat from the Games store". Alright by me.
Ontario has a reputation but I need to watch out when I say I'm from Toronto.... Don't worry I'm True Blue T Dot, I don't let their hate get me down. Some Haligonians love Toronto but I was told today, "Nice to meet you but I hate Toronto" So much for welcoming me to Nova Scotia. I love the Maritime vibe but don't worry, I make sure everyone knows about the best city in world :
and I'll keep cheering on Team Ontario!
GO O GO!
What's on the agenda for tomorrow? Well I'm off to my first volunteer shift and maybe even a Free Joel Plaskett show!
Have a great day!
Kate
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