One in four Vancouverites is Chinese so this New Years is significant. Add a few hundred thousand Olympic tourists and it gets very busy. We thought the fireworks last night were for Chinese new years but it turns out just some of them were - others will be every night.
Feb 17, 2010
Quadruple Axel
One in four Vancouverites is Chinese so this New Years is significant. Add a few hundred thousand Olympic tourists and it gets very busy. We thought the fireworks last night were for Chinese new years but it turns out just some of them were - others will be every night.
Feb 14, 2010
The Real Opening Ceremonies
Well, we ditched the Italo chic sports bar for a more intimate venue (our place) to watch the
opening ceremonies and to allow Donna more privacy for frequent teary outbursts (OK, a few others needed tissues as well). Cliche of the opening - Italy having the best uniforms. Oh, and did anyone else notice that I was carrying the ARGENTINA sign? We were very please that Lewis who had nearly front row seats for the rehearsal, said it was much better on TV. And yes, for the first time outside the influence of Jimmy, I put a fake tatoo on my forehead!
Jim and Donna found that precious commodity snow under Robson St.

Ice rink under Robson Street
Jim and Donna found that precious commodity snow under Robson St.
Feb 13, 2010
The torch the torch the torch!
6:45am! I'm up and off to see the torch arrive at the Inukshuk on English Bay -why? I'm not sure, but I think that because I'm here I should make an effort to see it. And it turns out to be a great moment with a bunch of great friends. I see the torch arrive with about a dozen people from Bellingham! (and thousands of Vancouverites) just after Arnold Schwarzenegger runs with the torch through Stanley Park (way too early for me!) Turns out I'll see it a few more times...
So, I actually saw the torch the night before in Yaletown, a few blocks from us. Below is a photo of the crowds OUTSIDE the venue where the torch arrived for the night. The bright spot in the photo is Michael Buble running with the torch. He handed it to a reformed homeless person who developed a recycling program for a poor neighbourhood in Vancouver and who got to light the night's cauldron - how Canadian!
So, it turns out I could see the torch arrive by canoe in False Creek from our balcony! (with a very good telephoto lens!)
And then the torch running a block from us at a very reasonable hour in the afternoon! Again from our balcony. But I still loved the morning with my friends at the Inukshuk.
Feb 8, 2010
Opening Ceremonies!!
While we have no official tickets, the city is definitely buzzing. Random light shows appear from all bodies of water surrounding us, fireworks periodically go off, and lots of Team Russia, or perhaps they just have the most visible jackets.
The City is getting better and more manageable with each day approaching the Olympics - traffic is greatly reduced as they've closed many of the major roads into downtown, and shortly a number of streets, including ours, will become pedestrian only - it is going to be so civilized that I fear going back to the traffic and congestion that people seem to accept as normal will be a huge drag.
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