A lesson I learnt this summer while managing Olympic volunteers was how quickly people's priorities are reduced to the basics: I'm hungry and I'm tired.
Under normal circumstances most of us are fortunate enough not to give either of these a second thought. Pop a uniform on someone (me included!) and suddenly we become entirely reliant on The System. I saw this time and again - people coming to me in tears because they'd not eaten or were tired. While I was of course sympathetic and did what I could to help, it was surprising nonetheless. The volunteers in my team were chosen because they were outstanding, resourceful, competent human beings. I was amazed at how quickly we all forgot that "real life" was carrying on outside the Games.
I find myself in a similar situation again. This trip is making me think more about food and shelter than I've ever needed to before. I'm a hunter gatherer. Last night I chose rubbish shelter - I stayed in an HI (a chain of good hostels) but I ended up sharing a dorm with what I'm pretty sure were a homeless old lady and a prostitute. I didn't feel safe and the bathroom was grim.
This morning I spent ages trying to find somewhere cheap and clean. Eventually I found... Hooters. Yup, Hooters Casino Hotel. Nice pool, $22 a night and 90% male guests. Genius.
Now I'm off for a walk down the Strip - I've been waiting for it to be cool enough. (sorry, I know most of you are either snowed in or stuck at home waiting for Hurricane Sandy to hit...)
By the way - I thought yesterday felt long - this is why (the Xs are where I've slept)
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