It was the last working day of the Spring vollies before they start to depart on different days afterwards. At morning meeting, we learned that 58 guests were arriving in the afternoon. They are families living at a military base in Germany; the girls are part of Girl Scouts overseas.
In preparation of the families arriving, we had a lot of rooms to set up. I cleaned the Main Chalet bathroom all by myself and then I helped set beds.
In regards to the last working day of the lovely Spring vollies, we wanted to think of a creative way to give the Spring vollies their cards that we made in secret. Lunch was the staff only so before the spring vollies arrived, we took a paper chain and hung it above the table where food is laid out for lunch. We then hung the cards on the chain with a sign in the middle with a wonderful painting of the mountains and Our Chalet with "Bon Voyage" painted on it (courtesy of summer vollie Cate). We then made bridges with our hands near the doors for the spring vollies to pass through. When the spring vollies arrived, they went through our people bridges and we cheered for them. I'm glad that they loved their cards and I was surprised to find out later that we had the nicest hand-over of vollies from one season to the next (yay! we're awesome!).
After lunchtime, we had the International Experience training with Koka (Deputy World Centre Director). During this training we talked about what it is like to live with an international staff team and talking about the definition of culture. We talked about a metaphor about the glacier of culture: a small part of culture is obvious on the surface including cuisine and traditions and a large part of culture is not so obvious and underneath the surface such as values. We also talked about what culture shock is and I realized that I experienced a few of the things on the list. When I first arrived at Zurich airport I felt: lost, rejected, confused, and slightly sad. Overall, I am getting used to life in Switzerland though I am missing some food and people from home!
Then around four pm, the group of guests arrived and I did my first Meet and Greet. I went with the first family who arrived (before the rest of the big group arrived). They were staying in Squirrel House, so I went with them to Squirrel house and did the Meet and Greet there. Basically I explained where to find showers in Main Chalet, what services/equipment is available to them in Reception and other important things for them to know. When I exited Squirrel House, the parking lot between Main Chalet and Spyker had filled up with children, parents and suitcases. With three other summer vollies, we divided up the families by location of their rooms and I did another Meet and Greet. I told the families staying in Main Chalet basically the same information as I told the family staying in Squirrel House and Jessica (the summer vollie doing the Meet and Greet with me) and I showed the families to their rooms.
After fielding off questions, I went to kitchen duty. The kitchen was extremely busy because we had 73 people for dinner including both staff and guests. We were scrambling towards the end but we got the food out on time! At dinner, I sat with a table of guests and got to know them. I also answered their questions about my background and things to do nearby Adelboden. Dinner clean-up took longer than usual but we got it done in pretty good time. As usual, towards the end I did the sweeping and squeeging...I tend to always clean the floor. I prefer that to Vimming. What is Vimming? Well, Vim is a type of cleaning product. First, you shake the white powder of Vim onto a surface. Then, you rub it into the surface with a damp cloth. Then, you take a different damp cloth and wipe it off. Lastly, you take Syrafim (a disinfecting spray) and clean the surface off. I prefer cleaning the floor haha
Today was a monumental day also because....I did a correct and successful cartwheel!!! Some of the summer vollies watched and judged it to be adequate....now I just need to perfect it!
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