Got up this morning totally buzzing about what was to come today, although a little dread of having to work through the corporate metropolis that is Westfield. I hate large retail places like that with a passion. Too many people, too little space and everyone jostling for the same square inch of floor space! Well, I was most impressed with the ease of it all getting through Stratford and out to the Workforce check-in area.
The military personnel there were top notch and made sure to thank them for the work they were doing, even though they all agreed they'd rather be doing what they signed up to the military for! We had been told that there would be a bus service to take us down to the opposite side of the Park to the Riverbank Arena, although we'd have to get off at the main media centre which is about 5mins walk away. Asked some Games Makers where the bus went from and was met with blank looks. Asked some others and was definitively told "No such bus exists, sorry". Oh well, I'd have to walk through the Park, but I had an hour and half or
so to kill, so would take a wander down and soak up the atmosphere.
Corporate capitalisation was out in full force with beers at £4:30 and bottles of soft drinks £2:30. However, compared to some places I've been to, it wasn't too bad I guess. I saw the Gloriana boat moored up in the middle of the park and stopped to watch some sports on the "Park Live" big screen. I got down to the Riverbank and signed in and was presented with a bottle of water, a poncho and then told to go to the helpdesk to get my free gift unsure.gif Turns out it's an IOC Games Maker journal/diary and it's top top quality. Went through to the break area to wait til my shift started and met some people I'd seen on training before so we all compared notes on getting there. Turns out there IS a bus, but I'd come in the side entrance from Stratford rather than the main one, so it's not a surprise the other GM's didn't know where the bus went from...
Had a couple of cups of tea before going for our briefing and where we'd be during the afternoon and evening.
We went out and watched the Argentinians stuff South Africa 7-1 and then it was tea time. Options were chicken tikka massala or cheese and tomato queche. I went with the queche, even though it was actually mushroom...with wilted carrots and babycorn and a small salad and a bottle of drink. Dessert was a piece of fruit and/or a granola bar.
Then it was outside for GB V Japan and prior to the game I was assisting the GB team warm up by throwing balls back over the fence to them and also doing my main role of helping the photographers out by drying their benches and helping some of them set up.
A short time later was our first 'incident' where a couple of photographers were outside their permitted area, but they were as good as gold and both knew they shouldn't have been there and quickly moved back to where they should be.
A nasty incident happened to GB captain Kate Walsh right in front of me and I had the perfect view of her taking a stick to the face from one of the Japanese girls. I've not heard how she is, but she looked in a bad way on her way off.
Back inside for a quick cuppa after the game and then it was to the back of the stand in the photographers area there for the Germany V USA game and it was bloody freezing up there! Will be taking gloves and an under t-shirt next time. Mind you, for the views across the Park at night time, it was worth it.
Very easy coming home after the game as we got the Workforce bus from the Media Centre up to Stratford and then on the train straight home.
Completely knackered now and feet are killing and a huge blister, but do you know what? I can't wail til Wednesday and my second shift!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment