Wild cheers, loud clapping was heard outside the Sutton place hotel this evening, as a group of over 40 volunteers waited eagerly for the arrival of the Chengdu youth to. Though we may have only shaken a few city blocks with our voices, it is undeniable that the anticipation and preparation of this project has shaken the entire city! Volunteers coming out from various parts, businesses generously help the financial aspects of this project, alongside the kind contributions of the city of Edmonton itself. Together we have created an Edmonton spirit like no other, embracing these youth with our generosity and hospitality!
Volunteers came hours before the expected arrival of the youth, preparing last minute decorations, bustling around trying to make our soon to be first impression the warmest and friendliest one possible. We were given pep talks, reminding us we were to be the best ambassadors of Edmonton, to help our new friends take away as much as possible form their stay, but the excitement we all felt couldn’t be contained. All the weeks and months leading up to the amazing week we were anticipating was finally so close! But among all the enthusiasm I had overheard some nervousness ‘what if I don’t understand them well enough?’ and ‘what if I make them feel awkward by watching them all time?’ As we got later into the evening the energy level of us volunteers only increased, every 5 minutes I couldn’t help but peek at my phone to see how much longer it was before our guests were expected to arrive. About half an hour before the expected arrival time, our leader informed us that the youth were all going to have an assigned Edmonton buddy to bond with. Because there was way more volunteers than there was guests, only seven of us were lucky enough to be chosen, with a bit of luck I was one of them! When they told me her pinyin name I drilled it into my head so I could remember it for when they did self introductions. Not long after, we got a call saying that the youth were only 5 minutes away from arriving at the hotel. Volunteers busted out of the room at top speed, carrying banners of all shapes and colors. What a sight it was, a sea of green figures flowing down the grand stairway of Sutton Place at such a late hour! Though some adults tried advising us to stand inside, the excitement of the younger volunteers was truly uncontainable, despite the late evening breeze we assembled ourselves outside the building where we will be spotted first, with banners open, Canadian flags waving! Those 5 minutes seemed to be endless as I waited among my peers, as each silhouette of the familiar ETS bus came into view I felt myself holding my breath just a little, thinking to myself ‘They’re here! They’re here!’ Finally a ETS bus turned the corner and slowed to where we stood, I saw the passengers face’s illuminate with a smile! Miraculously, I felt my own lips curved up to match theirs, that’s when I realized our worries were for nothing. As the saying goes, ‘We all smile in the same language’; though we all speak varying levels of mandarin, a smile means the same universally!
We guided our guests back to the conference room. After a brief intruding ceremony, the youth introduced their names and their buddies walked up to welcome them to their seat. I picked my buddy out right away, everyone at my table was more than happy to lend a hand helping her get some food, making sure she was comfortable. Unfortunately I had to leave soon after, but I left my number on the corner of my Canadian flag, told her she could call me if she needed anything at all!
Today was only the beginning. I have been on a trip away from home and I know what the youth must feel right now, the excitement, the anticipation for the days ahead must be incredible. Hopefully we can welcome these youth to love Edmonton as much as we love it, to find warmth in a place so far from home! :)
Hylann
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