When I applied to become a volunteer for Paris 2024, I filled out the application, like everyone else, then sat back to wait. The process is such that normally if they think you'll fit the team/event, you get an offer for an interview, then if you answer their questions as they expect/like/want they may allocate a role.
I don't remember having an interview for this event, but I was offered a role for Road Events Team. The dates were 30th August to 3rd Sept. Then 8th.
When my shifts came through it was for only 1st and 8th September. I spent ages agonising about whether 2 days in Paris at a costly time was worth it just to be involved.
A view of a last minute post (on a facebook volunteer group) asking for help at the Sitting volleyball made me email and ask if I could indeed help, and I was offered 8 shifts at North Paris Arena.
Time then to book flight and accommodation, well, you know the story so far.
This morning at 4am, there was a message to say the Para Tri (my one of two original shifts) had been postponed until tomorrow.
I suspect this is because it rained in the last few days so the Seine may not be at its best for the swim. So, my shift disappears, I am not free on Monday or Tuesday to help.
I am so happy I took up the sitting volleyball role.
Now, what to do with my free day...
...well I did lots of walking...again.
Decided I would head down to Notre Dame and work my way back from there, planned to maybe visit the Louvre, try and see the Paralympic flame. Check out where Invalides was for my archery visit tomorrow and see where the mood took me.
I headed to Notre Dame, they are still rebuilding after the fire but are hoping to have completed by December.
I wandered around the outside, crossing the river to get a different view decided to head towards the Louvre and I passed a Memorial garden and crypt that I decided to stop and look round.
It was a memorial to those who had been sent to the concentration and death camps during the 2nd World War. It was incredibly evocative with video testimonials included. Maps of all the camps, and their purpose, lights to commemorate those lost. Certainly thought provoking.
As I was leaving the memorial, I received a call from friends John and Lesley who had been in Paris for the weekend, having been lucky enough to win it in a competition. They'd seen athletics, received some great memorabilia and had a great time, also bumping into people they knew.
A quick change of plan for me, as I decided to head and meet them for lunch before they set off home again. (Via Eastern Airlines...yup the same that cancelled our flight).
I hopped on a metro and headed to where they'd suggested meeting. Sadly the restaurant they'd mentioned was closed, but after attempting to get a table at one, that advised they didn't have 2 of the 3 main meals on their menu, we found a lovely Italian not far, where we feasted on pizza.
John and Lesley needed to head back to their hotel to collect luggage and as we headed back to the metro, we bumped into the owner of the original restaurant/bar where we were going to meet.
The owner, delighted to see John, disappeared inside the restaurant to grab him some glasses he'd put aside for him and he gave us all a bottle of water before we headed off again to the metro.
Before heading back to their hotel we took a few pictures of the Eiffel Tower and the Liberty statue at the end of Swan Island, one of 6, in Paris.
(Me taking a picture of Lesley taking a picture of John who was taking a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower 😀)
A little bit of fun.
They grabbed their bags and we headed our separate ways, them to the airport and me for another wander. Maybe to head back to my original plan.
I passed the Eiffel Tower where a lady stopped me to ask if I knew where she could find the arena to watch the blind football. At the same time a lady stopped to interview her, so I looked it up to make sure it was the stadium behind the Eiffel Tower at Champs de Mars. (And not even in a volunteer uniform)
I continued past the Pont Alexander III and National Assembly where I should have been this morning, and also found where to go for my archery session tomorrow at Invalides.
Getting increasingly tired now I headed towards Place de la Concorde, forgetting it was all screened off, so I missed seeing it up close. Also didn't see the flame.
I decided that maybe this was the sign to head back, my phone dying too. I did see the official Olympic shop and realised I didn't have my accreditation on me, so a quick look round and I will come back.
Likewise the Samsung shop on the other side, my phone by now about to die, I quickly looked to see what metro I needed to get back to the hotel and headed off to find it before I lost battery.
Finally back at the hotel, I bought 2 beers from the hotel fridge, one just wasn't enough yesterday.
After last night's bad sleep and early shift cancellation, I think I need an early night before heading to the athletics in the morning, Archery in the afternoon, and possibly the Last Leg in the evening. Another long day.
Holidays are exhausting. 😀
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