2010 winter olympics

Perhaps I'll start out this post with how I felt walking to the train after multiple gratifying days. Evening was falling on the water, lights were coming up and the closing ceremonies were being amplified. I felt like I had witnessed history and that everything would be alright in the world. This photo hopes to capture that moment. I opt to post this picture instead of the red maple leaf madness stirring in downtown because of the Canadian victory over the US in hockey...though I was happy to feel some sense of inner possession of the red, white and blue!







Vancouver, BC at any given time is lovely, yet to witness it rise to the occasion for the Olympics will be memorable. The homeless were tucked away discreetly and kept busy collecting recyclable goods. Red mittens and Canadian flags appeared to be standard apparel, which is curious for a country of people I haven't known to show such patriotism. Lots of people everywhere though. Everywhere but the roads...ah the wonders of public transportation. And so, people-watching was gratifying. Several things were particularly fascinating: How photography impacts the dynamic of large crowds; Hhow long people think it is worth to stand in line for a free 30-second zip line ride...7 hours? Time value of money aside, let's talk about money value of time...smile; or street performers....

Street performers fascinate me. I wonder what they do on an average day. I wonder what type of person it takes to want to do such for a living. No matter...I admire their courage and audacity.

And now for short track! Just watching four to six shrink-wrapped people skate in a circle at high speed where everything can change in less than a second is exhilarating! Sure checking out the efficient security setup and the perfect job (Olympics Zamboni driver...been looking for one of those...smile) were interesting, but watching this event was assuredly a highlight of our time.

One of the things fans seem to understand about short track is the highly unpredictable nature of the sport. And so, when Apolo Ohno was DQ'd, you had to be paying attention to see the disqualification...much more to see the infraction. Above you see the moment that THE touch occurred and where the skaters started to fall. Avid fans to my left (Thornton family) have said multiple times that because Ohno and Hamelin are such good skaters are why they didn't wind up in the jumble as well...alas...it is what it is.

The short track relay was fascinating! You take the curiosity of short track and multiply the number of people and then wonder how this controlled chaos actually works. The coordination of the relay push off, the multiple skaters and all the possibilities for failure leaves someone who has never seen it before staring in wonderment forgetting to cheer for her country with the flag in her lap...

On the bus away from the Pacific Coliseum, this boy showed us his bouquet that he caught from one of the athletes. I'd listened to a short program on NPR about the choice of the florist and the design and was quite impressed with the approach...less with the product, but up close it was classy! Two florists joined together who have over 100 years of combined experience and are both over 65. They trained and used marginalized women recovering from addiction, prizon, violence, etc...anyway, just an example of positive news coming from the Games.






Another event we watched was the Womens Cross Country 30K. Great to see all the flags and people who are so into a sport I had no vantage into...outside of the occasional cross-country ski adventure. What I don't understand is that after 30K, it all comes down to a fraction of a second?? Anyway...VERY wet day at Whistler.





Well...what else, but this: Thank you Thornton's! Because of my inability to plan too far into the future, I remain especially grateful for your tolerance, care and including me...again! Very memorable trip!