16 March 2009

Wow. This place is absolutely amazing. I feel so lucky to be part of it. Not just lucky, but proud too.

Arriving at Kandersteg yesterday afternoon, I was greeted by two other members, who were as excited to see me, as I was to see them. Receiving a warm welcome, we then headed out for a quick walk around the village, just to see the area. It`s beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. After coming back we had lunch- galore. Food out the wazoo! It was then an easy afternoon greeting people as they came, and getting ready for orientation at 5. This included icebreakers and a `meet and greet`style party in the lounge.

Meeting my roomie- she`s awesome, 100%, completely awesome. She`s increadibly nice and so easy to talk to. By the meet and greet on our first night, we were laughing and talking about everything. You would have thought we had known each other for years.

Beside my roommate (Lyndsy from the UK) there`s:
Pip (short for Philipa) from Australia
Ah Ruen from Korea
Rakel from Iceland
Robert from Calgary
Malcom from Scotland
David from Russia
Kike (Enrique) from Spain
Stephan from Germany
Dave from the UK
There`s also helpers (we mostly hang out with Mark from the UK) and long term staff. And everyone is amazing. I know I`ve said that a million times, but I don`t think I could stress it enough. It`s AMAZING!

Getting to bed before 10, we had to get up at 7 for breakfast, and to get ready for Thought for the Day at 8 am. After thought for the day, we got split into two groups for our staff training.
Starting with a proper tour of the place it seems like AGES ago! I had to pull out my timetable to make sure it actually happened today, and sure enough, from 8:30 to 9:30, we had a tour.
The place here is split into three areas: Old Chalet, New Chalet and Campgrounds. It`s more complicated than it sounds. You can only reach second story Old Chalet from the stairs on ground flood at old chalet, not from the new chalet (even though the building is connected by `the link`).

After that, Rules and Regulations. A little boring, but always needed. Then shop! We played with the till (on trainer mode, don`t worry) and pretended to be annoying customers. Then lunch, then fire alarm training. And this wasn`t just a fire drill, we had to go down EVERY fire escape so we knew where they were and what to do at each. It was a bunch of time hanging out windows climbing down latters and stuff. Fun stuff- but serious, and this I know.

After this- reception and outside contacts. At the end of reception, we were learning about the phone. How to take a proper message, how to transfer calls and such. All pretty simple stuff, until someone ACTUALLY CALLED! And I don`t mean someone from the camp on their cell, but a real person, wanting to book a campsite. And of course, luck of the draw, I was sitting closest to Filipe (who was teaching us), so he picks it up and hands it to me!!!!! There I was, not really sure what I had to do, talking to a possible `client`. It was COMPLETELY nerve racking. Sweating like mad (i know, not the best picture, but at least I`m honest) I think I did ok. Of course, when I put her on hold to transfer her to the right person, Filipe wouldn`t let me, saying I could answer her myself. Thanks, jerk! Hand shaking, I answered the phone and think I got everything I needed. I think. I hope. I have no clue.

It was then dinner, some more games, and the free time, which so far consists of people shouting and laughing REALLY loudly, but it`s still fun. I love it. It`s amazing.

Today these posters have been put around the building, saying tomorrow is D-Day. Under neath the title there`s all the things we should have packed, and then, in very small writing, it says `no need to set your alarm clock, we`ll wake you up`, so I have images of pots and pans......or fire alarm considering we learned all about it today. I don`t know, but neither does any of the other short term staff, so I think I`ll survive.

Wish me luck,
Love,
Creighton