Offering directions between the venues, advice on negotiating security checkpoints and on hand to deal with hotel woes, even when they have no solution to offer to the question at hand, the 25,000 volunteers who have marshalled the Sochi Games have brightened the days of visitors Russian and foreign alike.
On Monday afternoon, after negotiating several checkpoints on the road from the capital, aid lorries from the UN, International Committee of the Red Cross and Syrian Red Crescent were allowed into the town for the first time since October.
They negotiated security checkpoints, and by the time they arrived, baby Jian had been born.
Residents are fed up with the constant negotiating of checkpoints and other barriers, the pervasive uncertainty and, of course, the lingering danger, highlighted by the frequent detonation of artillery and mortar rounds.
Some 400 to 500 insurgents consolidated control of their new prize, a strategic district called Buner, just 70 miles from the capital, Islamabad, setting up checkpoints and negotiating a truce similar to the one that allowed the Taliban to impose Islamic law in the neighboring Swat Valley.
After about 15 minutes of driving at break-neck speed and negotiating two chaotic government checkpoints manned by nervous-looking skinny soldiers, we reach Elasha Biyaha.
They negotiate the security checkpoints at their own risk, and of course have to comply with local laws wherever they land.
In addition to his musical duties, Wasfi has to deal with abnormal administrative tasks: reading the latest intelligence reports, checking the tight security needed for every performer and audience member, negotiating the logistics of random checkpoints so that concerts can start on time.
He was present at every meeting I had with key Afghans and was instrumental in negotiating the establishment of several key checkpoints in Taliban-dominated terrain.
The few Palestinians who are allowed to come and go must negotiate an Israeli checkpoint.
