The best thing about volunteering at any event is meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures. The following pictures are some of the people I have interacted with on this adventure. I've come to the conclusion that no matter where I go, there are terrific characters and people just as goofy as me who have fantastic stories to tell. Here are just a few of the people I've had the pleasure of meeting.
This gentleman reminded me of my Pop. It was around 10 am when he drove us to the Main Media Center. Operating on little sleep we all filed onto the shuttle. From the moment he met us, he was fueled by enthusiasm and anticipation for a wonderful Pan Am Games. He was loud high-5ing us and asking what country we were all from. When he found out that Georgina was from Mexico he began singing what he knew of Cielito Lindo. Ay Ay Ay Ay! He was a hoot! He got the entire group to start singing. Then Georgina put on her pink Nacho Libre Mask and he went nuts trying to wrestler her. He had such a positive energy. We all got a kick out of him.
I saw a friend of mine there. I attended his wedding in Kauai 3.5 years ago. He has been working on the Pan Am Games for several year. One of the big-wigs. We only had time to talk briefly. I am so proud of him.
These were two of the over 23,000 volunteers.
These are several mentors and young reporters in our program. We are in the Main Media Center. A happy bunch of amazing people. They have inspired me to continue following my passions of education and sports. I hope to keep in touch with them and see where their passion leads them. There will be more to come. When time permits, I plan to blog about them.
This was one of the querkiest characters of them all. He was a volunteer at the staging area for the athletes before the Parade of Athletes. His job was to direct the athletes. There was music playing and he started dancing. Do you know those people who love to dance, but really doesn't dance conventionally? He had his own special moves and he smiled the entire time. One couldn't help but smily and chuckle a little. He was quite entertaining to all who witnessed his moves. I loved his spirit and genuine enthusiasm. I'll never forget him.
This is Ira. One of the nicest men I know. This is the third time we have volunteered at the same multi-sport event. He was with me in Beijing, Vancouver, and now in Toronto. I love him because he is kind, loving, funny, caring, and a true gentleman. He lives in Niagara Falls. We worked at the flat-water kayaking event.
Here's Ira again next to Cheryl and Shaka. Cheryl is his wife. I was thrilled to get to work with them again. I didn't think that I would get to work with them this games, but as luck would have it my assignment was changed the day before. They are my Canadian snow birds. I love that they travel and keep active. Their daughter, Elissa, is my dear friend.They are friends for life and such sweethearts. I consider them my Canadian family.The third person in the picture is their friend (darn if I can't remember her name). We hit it off from the time I met her.
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