Tomorrow Vancouver hosts the world for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Everyone here is beginning to get very excited, and there is a real spirit of celebration all throughout the city. Today I had the opportunity to watch the Olympic Torch go past close to where I work, and it was really a lot of fun. I took a couple of little videos, if anyone is interested. If you're not interested -- well, that's okay too. The preparation and organization for this event really has been of Olympic proportions, and I must say the organizers have done a wonderful job. It's like a huge party, all over the city. It's still a secret as to who will light the cauldron at the opening ceremonies tomorrow, but word in the street is that it will be Wayne Gretzy -- the Great One, No. 99. We shall see. Matt Lauer carried the torch for a while today, and tomorrow the Governator himself -- Arnold Schwarzenegger -- will carry the torch just a few hours before the opening ceremony. Don't ask me why; no one here seems to know... But what the heck, it's all in fun, right? I like the exhilaration of the folks in this video. It was actually more fun than the torch.
That is not me yelling "Yay!" in this video, it was a very loud woman behind me. But everyone was in the spirit of the fun. I have no idea who is carrying the torch here. I think she was a policewoman. The torch was handed over to her at City Hall.
Tomorrow night will be the opening ceremonies, and I hope you all have the opportunity to watch them. I'm told there will be thrills, chills, and a whole lot of wonderful surprises. And let's wish good luck to all the athletes who have trained so hard to get here. I hope everyone has a fabulous time.
Cheers,
19 comments:
Alas! Or NOT! I was born without the sporting gene!! haha.
Jo, We watched a program tonight on the History Channel (Modern Marvels) re the backstage technical/engineering aspects of the big event. The program covered the bobsled run, the luge run, the snowmaking machines, the thousands of torches designed to withstand your low temps plus other unfavorable conditions - really fascinating background on what is really a global affair!
A 'once in a lifetime' event for you - enjoy!
I get a real kick out of feeling i have an "inside source" for the olympics. I tell my husband wisely that roses are blooming in vancouver, did you know that??
Our local news is chock full of Olympic news and every time I watch anytime about the winter Olympics I think of you Jo,you have the Winter Olympics in your front yard!
You had a good view of the torchbearer! Whoever ran past where I was standing to watch ran so quickly, you barely had time to see anything. I think someone could have blared out the name of the torch bearer for those of us who had no idea who we were waiting for.
Good Luck getting to work the next 2 weeks!
Watching the Olympics is such fun! It's as close as I ever get to being an athlete! Those little videos were a cool way to "be there." Thanks!
You must be really excited. It's not often the Olympics take place on one's doorstep.
What I noticed as much as anything was that it is not COLD there! At least it does not appear COLD.
I see people wearing light jackets and can almost feel the light rain. I don't see people shivering or wearing 16 layers of clothing. That is my kind of Winter Olympics!
Schwarzenegger! In Vancouver?
Might be he took the 'British California' joke on the Internet too literally? ;)
Wow, looks like exciting times. Have fun, and as that woman kept saying, "Yeah!"
I read that it snowed!!! All hail the gods of the white stuff!
It looks cold and wet there, Jo, which is good, good sign.
I'll be watching, Jo, and hoping that everything goes really well for these Olympics. It's just around the corner from me, too!
I'm excited too - I feel like Elise with my "inside source." We watched Samantha Brown last night on the Travel Channel - she was doing the Olympic thing (of course I believe this was filmed last summer). You do live in a gorgeous setting. Maybe someday I'll get to come see it...
Thanks for sharin' your birds eye view with us. The 'yay' gal sounds like Oprah. Heeeheehe! Yes, I will be watchin' with you. Nobody better mess with this farm chick during the skating events! Enjoy!!!
Ya'll have a super day and a wonderful Valentine's day!!!
I saw Matt Lauer this morning on the Today show and I wondered why he was wearing such a WHITE outfit, but I guess thats what they had to wear. I would have loved to see Matt.
I will be watching tonight and I will think of you often I am sure as you are my "friend" Vancouver!
I am so excited for you and your town and country.
We'll be there via TV.
How very exciting!
Good luck Vancouver...
Aloha, Friend!
Comfort Spiral
How exciting Jo! :)
Watching the opening ceremonies and thinking, Hey! I know someone in Vancouver! (Well, sort of - does knowing you as a blogger buddy count?).
What a spectacularly beautiful place you live in!
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