Many people have asked me what the atmosphere is like in downtown Vancouver. While it is difficult to phathom, just imagine the Stanley Cup finals, the World Series, the Grey Cup, the Superbowl and the World Cup all combined with a several doses of national pride and you can begin to understand what the Olympics has meant to Vancouver. But, now that Men's Hockey is underway, the excitement is even greater. One of the IOC offices was decimated today when Switzerland, the home base for the Olympic Committee, was playing its first hockey game against the USA. On top of that, the forcasted rain gave way to a full day of sunshine and 10 degree temperatures.
Continuing my cultural adventure, I took the Sea Bus to North Vancouver today to visit the huge Russian sailing vessel that is docked there. The size of the ship is immense and the hundred or so young Russian sailors walking the streets of Vancouver provided many photo ops for all to enjoy. This week Vancouver also celebrated the Chinese New Year and Mardi Gras. WOW, what a party!
Another day started at the Royal Canadian Mint where I held a gold bar and saw the massive solid gold coin worth hundreds of thousand of dollars.
Did I mention that there is a free zipline for anyone to try? Although the wait is about 3 hours long, this too is on my Olympic bucket list!
Tune in tomorrow...
Great adventures, Pat! Certainly off-setting some of the negativity in the press ....they seem to be looking for negative stories. Good to read a report from the action on the street.
ReplyDeletegary/carmen
Great reporting Pat! Enjoyed watching the Olympic coverage last evening at my parents' condo, with Monica and Mike, Andrea and Bryan - especially snowboard/cross Maelle's winning race, Canada's 2nd gold. Go Canada Go!
ReplyDeleteI've bookmarked your blog site for my Mom. She will enjoy checking in on you throughout the games. Gloria & Gary