The main issue we’ve faced so far in China is the language issue. Most of the people don’t understand a word in English, but they really try to be helpful. This is really important in the context of this article.
I was assigned to go to the volleyball venue, where team India was playing Chinese Taipei in the pre-quarters. The volleyball team has had a powerful start to their Asian Games campaign with a 3-0 victory over Cambodia, followed by a historic 3-2 win versus South Korea, who are ranked 27, while India sits at 73. It was an important encounter versus Taipei today, for it would seal the quarter-final berth.
Coming back to the language issue, we have been struggling to communicate mostly all small things, but it has a different thrill to it. Especially for someone like me, as it is my first international assignment.
We reached the Main Media Centre (MMC), and at the help desk asked for the venue for the volleyball match for today. It was Limping stadium, as informed. It was our first day officially and we were still to get used to the system, so we asked for assistance on how to avail the media shuttle services. After various exchanges at different zones, we finally reached the main media bus depot and I boarded the shuttle for Limping stadium.
Sharing some small glimpses from the journey, I can say that the roads here in Hangzhou are some of the cleanest I’ve ever seen. There was a hoover car, cleaning the roads at intervals.
When I reached the venue, the Limping Stadium, it was Japan versus Kazakhstan as the board showed and I asked the venue guide where the India match would be held.
She was quite tensed and surprised and rushed to her senior. A whole team of volunteers came rushing to say that I was in the wrong venue. Yes! And the venue where India is playing Taipei was two hours from Limping.
Trying to stay calm- it was a blunder on the first day- I had a discussion with my team and I decided to come back to the MMC on the next scheduled shuttle, which was an hour from that time.
I was asked to wait in the media lounge and enjoy a cup of coffee. I went to watch the Japan game and came back to the lounge. To my surprise, the volunteers themselves looked apologetic about my situation! And they eagerly wanted to help. One of them came rushing, asking if I would want to apply for an emergency shuttle to my venue or not!
I had to make them understand that I was doing alright with the coffee and cake and they that they could go back to their work. We had a bit of a chat, and came to know that most of the volunteers are students, who are working on internship basis in the tournament.
They handed me a goodie bag with some refreshments, leaving me overwhelmed with their hospitality.
Thankfully India had a convincing 3-0 win against Taipei, and I won’t miss it the next time. For now, thank you China for this warm memory.