I am home, sitting on my couch, with a purring cat sitting on my lap and a cup of tea beside my computer. It's a good start to a Saturday morning. As I sit here, I'm trying to put my thoughts together, to make an attempt to describe my experiences in Vancouver at that the 2010 Olympics.
Anyone watching the Olympic coverage will have seen the sea of red, or will likely know that whole main streets in downtown Vancouver were closed for pedestrian traffic only. I have hundreds of photos that I took of the race (which I conveniently left on the camera I used in Vancouver, and will have to get the photos put on a disc and mailed to me, because I'm an idiot), which might help, but if you've watched any of the coverage, I don't know if photos add to the picture. So it's up to me to try to find some words.
When I went to Salt Lake City, we were very excited for the opportunity. And it was fun. There were definite moments of excitement, however, it was so very different. It was about the sporting events and very little else. Vancouver really focused on making sure that there was a lot of things to do other than just go to the sports - LiveCity, the o|zone, etc. Some of it was kid friendly, some of it very obviously geared for adults, some for visiting internationals (like Heineken House; so fun!)
There was also a huge acknowledgement of the athletes' families here in Vancouver that we didn't see in Salt Lake City, and that my sister-in-law didn't see in Torino. There was a hotel provided for my SIL and her kids, and she got tickets and a ride up to Whistler provided for them. When she checked into the hotel, they were told to come into a hospitality suite. What we saw there reduced my SIL to tears, all thanks to Petro Canada. The kids walked in to see life sized versions of the mascots that they got to play with. One of the greeters said to Aly: "Your stuff is by the window." Aly: "Our stuff?"
We went to the chairs by the window and found four bags full of... stuff. souvenirs and gear for Aly, and then the above and beyond came out even more. Aly was one of the few (if only) spouses with children. Petro Canada went and got clothing in their sizes for them as well (so they could "look like dad too!"), which was pretty amazing to see. Watching them try on their shirts and hoodies and mitts and toques and what not was a lot of fun.
After I left them at the hotel, I walked down Robson to LiveCity Yaletown. I had no idea what it was I was going to. And I was stunned... We were surrounded by a sea of red... and there was live music. And I had the perfect spontaneous reunion with my second family. We were about to Marco Polo when we randomly walked into each other in the crowd.
Walking back to the hotel to collect my bags, Tanya and I came upon a pick-up game of street hockey on Robson Street. So much fun.
My Olympic experience started off to a fun start, with an unexpected ticket to see short track speed skating. My sister and BIL had gotten tickets, but found out that they were going to be going straight from the airport to Whistler, and would not be able to use them. It was so much fun to watch, to feel the excitement, to see it in person. I was shocked by some of the moves, by some of the blatant breaches of the rules, just how cutthroat it was. And yet, it was also poetry on ice. That much was clear. My mother isn't much of a fan of Apolo Ohno after having watched him on some sort of reality show, however, to see him on ice in person, was a real treat. To watch him pass... I'm glad that I got to see it.
My role at the Olympics was a very minor one. I had the honor and privilege of watching my brother compete in his third and final Olympic Skeleton race. He raced with badly injured obliques - every step is currently agony, and he's got 3-4 months of healing ahead of him, so I have no idea how he managed to race. His ninth place finish, while perhaps disappointing compared to his original idea of his last Olympic race, was still a thing of beauty. His final race was simply gorgeous. To have been able to watch it in person is something I'm quite grateful for.
The fun in Whistler that night continued, when we got to watch Jon Montgomery win gold for Canada by such the narrowest of margins. The sliding sports are so amazing to watch because the times are so close, and there isn't the ambiguity of judging. Just breathtakingly fast. It was a lot of fun, and exhilarating. And the week of excitement just continued.
I have known the family friends I stayed with my entire life. They have a daughter 6 months younger than me, and we have been fast, inseparable friends for 34 years, despite living in different provinces for more than 20 years. We go months and years between visits, but pick right back where we left off. Anyhow... she has three kids, an eight year girl, and two boys, almost seven and four. She pulled them out of school for a few days so that they could get a chance to fully experience the Olympics in their home country. On Monday, they got the ultimate experience.
My brother came down from Whistler for the day, and my parents and I met him to show him some of the sights - he had been very isolated before his races and celebrating with the team after, so had not had an opportunity to see much of anything yet. We walked around Robson and down to the water to see the cauldron and the rings on the barge. One of the amazing things set up in Vancouver was the CanFund House, which had an amazing view.
We went up to CanFund House to show the view to Jeff. I needed to rejoin my friends to head back to the train at the end of the day. I wanted to show my family friends the view of the cauldron and the rings, and I thought that the kids would get a kick out of meeting my brother as an Olympic athlete. So we brought everyone upstairs into this fabulous space in the Shaw building. It was on the eleventh floor, with a view of the water, as I previously said. The room was set up with comfy couches, big TVs, snacks and drinks. There were computers and phones (with free long distance), and a supervised play area for kids for while you were in the building. And a Wii. All set up so that the athletes and their families would have somewhere to relax and go while in town. It was a great, great space.
I brought a whole hoard of people up (six adults, five kids and two strollers) in the elevator, and they oohed and ahed over the view. The men grabbed a beer and saw what was on TV. Eventually they made their way to the windows to see the view. A reunion was has with Jeff. The kids got over their shyness and asked 'Mr. Jeff' if they could get their picture taken with him, and if he would mind signing their brand new (less than 2 hours old) Olympic bags. A sharpie was found, and Mr. Jeff was happy to comply. We visited a while longer, with Jeff and Keith, another member of the men's skeleton team.
And then some more magic happened. Jon Montgomery showed up - and he came to say hi to my brother and Keith, his teammates. (And yes, he still had the huge grin on his face and the beer in hand!) Mr. Jon was also happy to have his picture taken with the kids. At that point, we thought the day was finished. My brother had an event to get to, so he and my parents packed up, and headed towards the athletes village. However, moments after they left (and ever so fortunately, we were those moments longer packing kids and saying our thanks), someone arrived to interview Jon.
A very brief interview was given, which we of course stayed to watch. And Jon naturally brought out his gold medal. Keith, the other Canadian mens skeleton teammate (who sadly didn't get to compete), pulled the kids over so that they could see the medal - and I went with them. We got to hold it (and again I was surprised by just how heavy they are) and man! was it stunning! Again, photos were taken. BP, the middle child, and ultimate jock, was on the ultimate high. He spent the next day and a half, until he went back to school, practicing his show and tell presentation about meeting the athletes. I think that the *only* thing that might've increased his excitement would be the chance to get a raging beaver like Mr. Jeff's on his goalie mask.
Tuesday was the first rainy day, but kid free (it balanced out once we got into Heineken House) to watch the hockey game. There was a virtual bobsled, speed skating, and snow boarding. And good beer and tasty food. And some amazing short programs by the women figure skaters. Joannie's program brought tears...
Wednesday was all about hockey!! And helping with some event set up, Tanya got my blood, sweat and tears. Thursday was the event, more amazing figure skating (a world record skate, and an amazing tribute by a very strong woman!) and an early night by all. Friday: running, running and more running around. And a sad good-bye.
The final wonderful moment came on the plane (I was landing at 1.21am), when I discovered that my seatmate and Olympic volunteer lived less than a block from me and was willing to share a cab home with me, saving me $30! Oh, and I found Macintosh's toffee at the airport, which I love, love, love and haven't had in years! Not the hard smashy stuff, but still, oh-so-tasty!
Laundry beckons...
