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Vancouver resident Fiona Scott will commute two-and-a-half hours each way to Whistler each day to work at the sliding centre during the 2010 Games. Jan. 28, 2010.

By: ctvbc.ca Date: Thursday Jan. 28, 2010 8:57 PM PT

Some 2010 volunteers are facing an Olympic size commute to their positions because of an accommodation shortage in B.C.’s Sea-to-Sky communities.
Vancouver resident Fiona Scott will be volunteering 10 hours a day at the Whistler Sliding Centre for most of the Games. With a bus ride of two-and-a-half hours each way, Scott will be looking at a five hour commute — a 15 hour workday.“It’s a pretty long day,” she said, adding she will be given several days off because of her long workdays.Scott is part of ‘Club 99,’ a bus service Olympic organizers have created to transport as many as 500 volunteers to Whistler everyday along Highway 99.Hundreds of the volunteers assigned to Whistler are without a place to stay in the Sea-to-Sky communities.But Vanoc says it’s not a disappointment.

“It is a reality of the challenges of Whistler,” said Vanoc’s Maureen Douglas.

“A resort takes a lot of people to run. Whether you’re working in a coffee shop or hotel, everybody’s going full tilt, some of them twenty-four seven.”

Olympic organizers had hoped to overcome accommodation challenges by throwing pajama parties to advertise a home stay program — and even offering free tickets to Sea-to-Sky residents in exchange for a spare room.

As a result of the efforts, thousands of volunteers at Whistler venues will have a place to stay. As for the hundreds that don’t:

“We are humbled by the amount of commitment, the enthusiasm, the level of dedication the volunteers are giving to this,” said Douglas.

With a report from CTV British Columbia’s Sarah Galashan



Fiona is in Club 99

more about "Fiona’s Olympic Commute!.MOV", posted with vodpod



There are just 15 days left before the olympics take over Vancouver and I’m starting to get really warmed up! CTV News is agreeing with me as they just left my apartment having filmed a segment for the news tonight.

I had the chance to speak about my role at the Whistler Sliding Centre including the transport aspect of getting to Whistler. Yours truly is part of the 99 Club, or ‘Club 99′. Sounds interesting huh? Better watch the 6 o’clock news tonight to find out more!

Fiona Olympic Tuque

I’ll keep you posted as the details come in. We should be able to watch it online for a few days.

Cheers me dears,

Fiona

Babe With A Backpack



This is often the week that resolutions get neglected. For me however, this is the week that I am in full swing. Although I haven’t talked to everybody in my life regarding my resolutions this year, I do secretly have a few. And I can’t jinx my own efforts in getting them done by sharing them ALL with you. But I can say, one of them is simply to get out there and have my voice heard a little more. Talking travel is such a joy when the message is received and people are inspired to discover new passions. So this is my mission. This is my resolution.
Well check check-I’m on the right track for resolutions. I made a visit to Argyle Secondary in North Vancouver this week and spoke to the graduating class. Representing Hostelling International, I had a chance to educate some budding travellers on backpacking the world.

Fiona at Argyle

Getting students energized in a school gymnasium first thing in the morning can be a difficult task, but I was prepared with tips and tales from life on the road. There are always a few kids that are starting to itch at the travel bug, so I scanned the sleepy faces for signs of wanderlust and grabbed the mike from the school principal. As I wasn’t continuing the lecture on drinking at the school dance, I had hope.

I told them about my submarine journey in Cambodia, quizzed them on how many pairs of underwear are really necessary (no-I did not accept the answer of 20!) and showed pictures of castles in Scotland and friends made in Sedona. It sure got me thinking, I sure miss the hostel life at the moment. I think it’s time to make some plans….

Argyle Students
I’m now racing to Vancouver airport for a few days in Calgary. Travel tales and talks to be continued.
Cheers me dears,