Wednesday 12 Dec 2007
by Woon SG-Thailand
My day started off really early. Last night before going to bed, we all hoped not to get a call from Clem meaning everything is fine and we can sleep until 7am. Yet, life is always tough. I did got a call from Clem at 5am. In less than half an hour, 5 of us left to the Greenpeace office to join Res who was the first one to check the situation. A few of the small balloons were falling, so we produced another set to add in. Although feeling very sleeping on the way there, once started working, I felt pretty happy. Indeed, it is these late night and early morning working experience we share that will remain when we are apart. Everyone joined effort and gave up personal wants to pursue a common goal. Plus, early morning is a nice time when everything starts fresh and peacefully. My walks to transport the balloons from the office to the activity area (between security check and the conference centre) were delighting with the sun rise.
Photograph by Woon Pattamon Rungchavalnont
We continued to prepare more balloon as we knew more would be needed by noon before we start our activity. Also, we lined up to give invitations right after delegates passed the security check point. Then, it came the time: 1pm. An array of balloons with eyes on them greeted delegates as they enter the path way. A huge banner being held up by 2 big eye balloons was located at the end of the line making a statement “WE ARE WATCHING YOU”. We stood beside the banner in the hot sun. For more than an hour, we waited there…and the most important expected guest did not come: Mr.Rachmat Witoelar, the president of COP/MOP. Under a tight schedule and a slight delay in his previous activity, he was unable to join us any longer.
There is no need to say how disappointing it was. A feeling of being left unheard made me have lunch in silence. Yet, I must admit that the disappointment was not everything; it was not the worst possible feeling we had because, as Res mentioned in the debriefing later at night, we achieved our internal success: team spirit.