I had intended to go on a Tom mascot hunt this morning, but decided that resting might actually be a nicer option, so got to grips with the last blog update, and then got myself sorted to head to shift early. The threat of Pizza for our last day due to the workforce canteen being closed, meant that would be the only food option available on shift.
Managed to get a wander up towards the top of the building, but only as far as floor 11, once out of the lift the views were great, but the building was unfinished and still full of concrete dust. The only parts fully finished were those being used, and even then it was only finished to the bare minimum needed.
The final shift as expected was not hectic, a few journalists in to collect their final certificates and medals, and even a few who had not been to see us to register for their press kits. We had a few from the Broadcasting side, trying to score some freebies at the last minute, and to be fair, we had loads of kit left over, which being branded, really would not have been much use for other things, so maybe, possibly, we might have been a little more generous with our distribution, and maybe, possibly we received a few bits and pieces in exchange for our nice gesture. Came home with some great pins, and an Italian TV RAI fleece. Great doing business guys.
I did the final shared service rounds and said goodbye and thank you to all the people I had met, it has been fun getting to know them all and communicate with my fledgling Portuguese.
Then we were done.
The tech guys were in dismantling all the equipment, so not much left to do apart from say goodbyes and head off for the final time.
Passing the park to get back to the apartment was a very different experience with no crowds of people milling around, no loud hailer greetings in Portuguese, no music from within the park, just the occasional clanking of machinery as things were being taken apart.
Some of the legacy will remain as one of the Carioca arenas will become a training school for future athletes, gymnasts etc. The MPC where we were based, likely will be offices with a car park below. Some of the temporary tennis structures will be removed, but will have to keep an eye on the area to see what happens with the other things.
Still not feeling great I arrived back to the apartment, and decided not to go to dinner with Lisa, but to sort out my packing. An early start in the morning beckons. 3 different alarms set, transport booked to get me to the airport, and I went to take in the night view for the final time.
Not sleeping well I eventually made it up and out of the door at 5.25am, to wait for Marcio the driver to collect me. When 5.35 arrived I started to get concerned, and with no wifi was challenged again to find out what happened. Using my precious expensive 3G there was a message from some 50 minutes earlier to say, very sorry he couldn't make it. Panic started to set in, no Portuguese, no wifi to book an Uber ride, I headed onto the street to try and flag a cab down. Luckily they are around at that time and I managed to get one to stop and he was brilliant in speedily getting me to the airport. Communication via google translate is a life saver. He even told me off for leaving it late to go to the airport. But the bonus was the fare was lower on the meter than I had been quoted for the booking. I later found that my pre-booked car had also arranged to collect someone else at the same time and had also cancelled them but at least the evening before. I think Maggie (who was his other booking) gave him a piece of her mind and reminded him there was no shame in saying you can't do something, in fact that is far more preferable than letting people down. No is sometimes an acceptable answer.
Met up with John and Maggie, also travelling via Casablanca back to Gatwick, checked in and headed towards departures, taking the time to check out each shop to see if any of the elusive Tom mascots remained. Result. Found loads in just one of the stores, but large ones, so decided to buy 3. Sorted.
Took breakfast at the little cafe by the departure gate, and then we were onto the flight, along with many of the Tunisian and Moroccan team, the latter who towards the end of the flight were changing into their formal clothing, were greeted in Morocco, by huge banks of press photographers and outside the airport a large crowd of people with banners and a band, welcoming their athletes home. It would have brought a lump to my throat, if my throat had not already become sore through all the coughing I was doing.
We got on to a bus to take us to our transit hotel, which turned out to be some 40 minutes away in the centre of Casablanca, and with no money on us other than English or Brazilian, we had to head to bed with no drink or supper. Thankfully eventually working out what the proper time was, we arranged to meet for breakfast at 7am.
The morning ride back to the airport seemed to take forever, but we did see a little of Casablanca, then arrived at the airport to queues getting in to the terminal. In fact queues everywhere for everything, and quite why having been through passport control they need to again check your passport after 10 metres I haven't worked out. Getting tired and frustrated, we eventually got to our departure gate, just as boarding had started, and with a short sub 3 hour flight home, we were soon at Gatwick, collecting luggage and out through customs to head home.
So 2 1/2 weeks of an adventure comes to an end.
I am vocally challenged, but oh it is so nice to be back and in my own bed.
Now to plan the next adventure, but first I have the finish for both Winchester half marathon this Sunday, The Start and finish at the Great South towards the end of October, and results for our Totton Running Club Race "The Stinger", to do.
No rest for the wicked eh?
One last Blogpost to come, but It's been great chatting to you all, thanks for your company through my last couple of weeks, will let you know when I am off again.
Tchau Thcau
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