After registering in December 2010 my first shift was finally here. And it was everything I could have possibly hoped, Southbank was definitely the best choice location. After debrief and meeting the rest of our lovely team we were let loose between the London Eye and the National Theatre. It was a bit quiet to start with and I was a bit worried no-one would come and talk to us but after my first question (Where is Tate Britain?) the enquiries flowed. It was our job to rove up and down the Southbank and replenish our fellow ambassadors' stocks of free maps and Time Out magazines. This was a great way to mingle amongst the question-laden public and to soak up the atmosphere, which, incidentally, was fantastic. At the end of the shift in our debrief we were asked for common questions but actually there wasn't one common question, it was all very varied, from 'what's that building over there?' to 'is there a good family pub for food?' plus the ones we anticipated in training: 'where's the nearest toilet?' and 'can I have my photo taken with you?'.
Today's difficult question: "where's the nearest payphone?" (we guessed Waterloo station, but who uses payphones these days?!)
Today's best question: "Is there something going on on the river? Why are all these people here?" (answer: 'no, this is just what the Southbank is like at its best, followed by me gushing about how great the Southbank is).
Today's loveliest people: (apart from our team) were probably the policemen also roaming up and down. Particularly the ones that stopped to ask my sister if she thought she was wearing sensible shoes for the job and questioning the heel height. Haha.
Today's less than lovely people: the people from a very famous cola brand who were transferring their guests from their hospitality area to a bus to take them to the handball. They told us to move as they were trying to guide masses of people past where we were (a very open area near the National Theatre and 'masses' turned out to a few groups of no more than five people), and told us not to hand over Time Out magazines to their guests (who were asking for them) as it was slowing them up (even though they were still calling people from the hospitality room). They were less than friendly and bordering on rude to lovely volunteers who were just trying to help members of the public.
Celebrity spots: Jim Rosenthal......some of our fellow ambassadors saw some of the American athletes. I'll let you decide which is better.
After our shift we decided on a busman's holiday and explored the Southbank for ourselves. So many amazing things going on- we watched the South African singers and dancers in "Ekhaya - South Africa's Olympic Home" at Queen Elizabeth Hall, salivated over the food at the Real Food Summer Market round the back of the Southbank centre, had a look round the Priceless London Wonderground, marvelled at the maze of books at aMAZEme, had our passport photo taken for our World Passport as part of the Festival of the World and had bubbles and sushi overlooking the bustling and sunny Southbank.
Looking forward to what tomorrow brings.....
Timber Robots climbing up the side of the Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre.
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