Working the Reception Desk

So, finally a chance to describe what happens behind the reception desk at Shelter Jordan. In a few words: A LOT happens! Typical a short-term staff member is not trained to work reception but because there is a shortage in staff I am the lucky one chosen (along with Tom, from England - also leaving in Sept.) to learn all the ins and outs of this task. Now that training is complete and I've had several shifts completely on my own I can say that I am starting to enjoy it, but then again that doesn't mean the job doesn't stress me out every once in a while! Here is Tina, a staff member from Germany, standing behind our desk at the entrance of the hostel:

How to begin explaining? Well, of course the receptionist is the one who checks in all the guests who arrive in the hostel. This entails asking for their name or booking number in order to find them in the computer system called "backpack". When their booking is found, their passport information must be typed in and then the guest is given an explanation as to how much they owe. During Sun-Thurs the rate is 19 euros (22 on Fri and Sat) per night, which includes breakfast in the morning. Then there is a 5 euro key deposit for their locker as well as a one-time 2 euro charge for the sheets on their bed. Guests can pay with cash, card, travelers check or a travel voucher (which is what many Koreans use - they plan out their whole trip with a travel agent in Korea, pay everything in advance and then only have to present a voucher upon arrival, pretty cool!). After the guest has paid they are checking into the system and a voucher is printed off. This voucher is a piece of paper that proves that the guest has paid and belongs in our hostel, they must show it to the receptionist each time they come back into the hostel. They also much show it to get their breakfast in the morning. I explain all this to the guest as well as the fact that there is no curfew at our hostel, the guests are welcome to come and go as they please (a male staff member is assigned the "nightman shift"- he stays awake all night, serving as a receptionist as well as a protector of sorts!). Then I tell the guests that they are staying at a Christian youth hostel and that I've included a little booklet (printed off in their native language!) explaining what we believe. I invite them to any activities that are going on inside the hostel, such as the nightly Bible Discussion time, and encourage the ask the staff any questions they might have of us. That's the check in process! The check out process is much simpler, it includes checking them out of the system, ideally by 10AM, and returning their locker deposit. Each key includes a special code that must be typed into the cash register in order to keep track of where the money is going. Other duties for the receptionist include allowing guests to store large pieces of luggage in our locked luggage room, answering the phone - there are two lines that sometimes ring at the same time. . .that's a challenge (especially when they don't speak English!), making bookings for people, inputting online bookings into the system, selling toiletry items, renting extra lockers and towels, allowing people to pay to connect to the internet on the computer in the cafe, providing directions and touristy information, and more! And of course, on top of all this - we want to make sure that the guest feels personally welcomed and cared for. Often Jesus met the physical needs of people before or while telling them of their spiritual need and it is our desire to do the same here. Christ is the perfect example, and of course we fall short. Mistakes are made, confusions happen - knowing that His amazing grace covers all is often my source of strength when things feels a little out of control behind the desk, a lot of prayer happens as well! One of my favorite things about reception is that the person who is working is the first person the guest interacts with - what a sweet opportunity to love them with my words and actions, the gift of hospitality in action! So, that's a taste of the world of reception - it's a challenge for me but I am grateful for it!