just got back from a 'familiarisation tour' of the airport and a 5* hotel in town for the event next week. yeah yeah got roped in to act as high-class (or coz!) 'liaison officer' to some poor unfortunate VIP from the time he/she arrives till he/she leaves (the VIP might be female, u never know).

anyway, a bunch of us trooped to the airport, where we got a guided tour of its 'underbelly', well not quite. they brought us through the staff entrance and took us to see the gates where passengers exit, in case we make a mistake and wait at the entry gate *DUH* also gave us a briefing on where the gates are located. i've been in and out hundreds of times but could never remember where they are but now i do!

if the gate number is in the:
teens - Habib Jewels
20s - Harrods
30s - Hermes

these are the shops in the centre aisles. makes sense eh, although i don't think i would be able to afford Habib Jewels in my teens! and while i have owned the ubiquitous harrods bag, nope do not own anything by Hermes (fakes maybe heh heh).

oer...i hope they don't relocate the shops anytime soon.

anyway, they brought us all over and took us to the vip lounges. very nice. although i thought the first class lounges are much better. guess real vips normally don't have time to eat canapes while waiting for their planes. and no, they don't wait, not usually, we wait on them.

so what i have to do is to wait for them at the gate as they exit the plane, take them to the VIP room, take their passports and luggage tags, pass them to the 'protocol officer', who will get their passports stamped by immigration, take their luggages and place them in the waiting car. as soon as that's done, they return the passports to me, i pass them to the waiting VIP (am afraid they have to clear passport n luggage like everyone else *sigh*) and off we go to the car. VIP in the front car with the outriders, me in the second vehicle, and the rest of the people in the 3rd car and off we go to the 5* hotel.

10 minutes before arrival at hotel, i call a number and the hotel people and assorted number of people will be waiting. as we arrive, we go straight to the room (no checking in for the real VIPs). i ask them "is there anything else i can help you with sir/madam?". if there's nothing else, i go to my room (usually next door) and wait till they call. hmmm....

at least that's what i have to do, in theory, on the first day. on the days after that until the VIP leaves, i have to be his shadow.

i have never waited on, ushered, taken care of, run around for - anyone, not any person or persons, living or dead, VIP or otherwise - in my entire life.

i.am.so.going.to.die.

and i have nothing to wear! hahahaaa........