Final Working Day - July 11



After a long adventurous day in Spain, we enter our final working day. After working time trials and the Criterium during week, we find ourselves at the cycling finale- The Road Race. Our job as course Marshall’s are to ensure the safety of the riders and public by ensuring no breach of the course by cars; giving directions, cheering on riders, as well as to ensure everyone has a wonderful time. Most of the time the cyclist are going above 30 kilometers per hour ( over 18 miles per hour), so anyone interfering can be seriously injured. 

Yesterday during our time in Spain, I felt very accomplished after putting my two years of high school Spanish to good use. While needing a medication from the pharmacy, I completed the entire transaction in Spanish only having to look up one word! 

While working today I met this lovely couple that had lived in Gibraltar for over 30 years. I was very jealous to listen them brag about how they live in such a paradise every day. Their only complaint about Gibraltar, which was also mine, was the crazy amount of yelling and squeaking the annoying seagulls do. 

One fun fact that I learned is that even though most still consider GIbraltar an island (which at one point it was), and they they are hosting the island games, it’s physically a peninsula. 

After a long week of cycling, We have been invited to cycling social with all the participants, staff, and volunteers. This is our opportunity to meet and chat with all other volunteers and all the cyclist that we have been cheering throughout the week as, as well as to celebrate everyone’s hard work. 

As this trip comes to a close, I reflect on how grateful I am for this wonderful experience and the people that have been with me every step of the way. 

Cheers!
-Curtis



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