I was a bit sceptical when I packed my bags to travel to China to cover the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. I did not know how I would survive in an unfamiliar environment without knowing the local language. In a country where strict censorship on the Internet exists, there was not much information about the destination to browse through. China's incursions across India's borders and the country's poor record of press freedom were at the back of mind when I boarded the flight.
However, as I return home after a memorable trip, I'm grateful to China and its people for the warm and welcoming hospitality. The volunteers were incredibly friendly, helpful, and always smiling. As their nickname – the little green lotus – suggests, they were the face, soul and heart of the Games. They always wore a smile on their faces and were always willing to help.
One of the volunteers who left a lasting impression on me was Wang Yufei, a student of the Hangzhou-based Zhejiang University. Accompanied by a group of journalists from various countries, I was going to cover a football match during the initial days of the Games. Upon reaching the local metro station, we realised that it was not going to be an easy task to catch the right train.
Disappointed, we thought of cancelling the trip and getting back to the media centre. It was then we met Wang who was deployed at the station's entrance. It really surprised me when she offered to accompany us to the Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium where the football matches were held.
Although it took about one-and-a-half hours to reach the stadium, she helped us change trains and wiggle through the stations that were bustling with crowds. Finally, when we reached the stadium's entrance, she shook hands with us before hailing a taxi to return to her 'workplace'.
Chang Yin was another volunteer who demonstrated admirable kindness and hospitality. One day when I returned to the media centre late at night after covering an event, I found the canteen at the Games Village closed. As I feared I would have to sleep with an empty stomach, Chang went to her home – some 10 kilometres away from the Games Village – and brought me some food. Her generosity will never be forgotten.
Duing my stay in Hangzhou, China has given me numerous reasons to be grateful to the country and its people. Xie Xie Hangzhou, Zaijian! (Thank You Hangzhou, see you again!)