The Sounds and Colours of the World
February 11, 2010 | Posted by monikab by @MoniKanada Monika Becker, Clear Directions - Consulting & Life Coaching
What is located about 25 minutes from downtown Vancouver and is vibrating in all different colours and patterns while buzzing with a myriad of languages at the same time? Right, it is YVR (Vancouver) Airport in the run-up to the 2010 Winter Olympics.
As one of over 50 especially hired and trained "Language and Customer Service Ambassadors" I have the great honour and joy of welcoming the world to Vancouver. Between the end of January and the end of March, Vancouver Airport is anticipating extra 351,000 guests travelling through the airport. This number includes Olympic and Paralympic spectators, sponsors, media, guests and athletes from a total of 85 different countries. That is quite the number of extra bodies and bags to handle! However, as the first-ever official airport supplier in Olympic Games history, YVR is determined and prepared "…to keep people, bags and planes moving".
These days YVR is transformed into a vibrant, colourful show of variety and joy – let me paint you the picture: When I worked last weekend, to name a few, I saw Russians in vivid red & white patterned outfits, Swedes in their blue & yellow national colours, then there were Italians in royal blue jackets and white pants, some Germans in their black & white outfit, Swiss athletes in brown & red uniforms, a contingent of Norwegian team members in blue, red & white, some Dutch team members in bright orange and many other Olympians in their colourful national outfits – a true festival of human diversity.
In addition, I found it extremely delightful to tune in to the buzz of voices in all different languages and accents. Some of the languages I understood, others not so much. But it didn’t matter – I felt truly comfortable and safely immersed in the sounds and colours of the world as they arrived at YVR.
And once in a while I felt this bubble of pride well up in me, pride to be calling Vancouver my home – a city the world will be watching as we deliver the key Olympian messages:
Education of values through sport
Promoting peace
Equality for everyone
Fair play
Celebration of arts & culture – celebration of mankind
Promoting peace
Equality for everyone
Fair play
Celebration of arts & culture – celebration of mankind
Are you ready to celebrate the world’s diverse cultures and promote peace and other important values in our very own home city Vancouver? Join me in "…setting an example that won’t be forgotten" as our Canadian hero Terry Fox once said.
And don’t forget to get yourself one or several ‘Ask Me! Happy to Help’ buttons, Vancouver’s way of welcoming our multi-lingual guests. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/ye2eshd These buttons are intended to engage our citizens with our visitors in a positive and caring way. Wearing the button with pride and smiling will encourage people to come to you for help with directions, advice, or just snapping a photo. Go to http://tinyurl.com/ybbh95w for further details.
Now have fun and enjoy the colours and sounds of the world gathered in Vancouver!
Categories: Monika Becker | 
Tags: 2010 winter olympics, accents, Airport, Ask Me Button, Ask Me!, Athletes, cultures, Customer Service, diversity, guests, Language, media, Olympian messages, peace, spectators, sponsors, the World, YVR | 
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