This is a blog I'd never thought I'd write.
Perhaps it was because we hear all of the negative things about VANOC: massive cost overruns, homeless people being banished from view, autocratic decisions being made. Lawsuits over using the "official" words and symbols by the small business person. Even winning the opportunity to host the Olympics made me mad. I mean how many Februarys can you name that aren't usually snow free on Cypress Mountain? And just the other day hanging the huge Australian Kanagroo flag was a no-no. Happily for all that decision was changed, even a denial that it was a problem at all! No fun Olympics! Well let's just say, I was jaded, I was sarcastic, I was skeptical. Don't get me wrong, I love to watch the Summer Olympics, and the Winter Olympics on TV. But, each and every time the ads run on TV, do you believe, I said: NO! I Don't believe.
Today a new day dawned and I've changed my mind. The torch relay was scheduled to be run just 2 blocks from our house, and after a little debate, we thought, what the heck, let's go for the people running. Cheer them on. Support them. So we went.
We arrived bright and early. The torch was due to pass over the Golden Ears Bridge at 8:45 a.m. On the way down to the route, we passed a new housing development. Management in their wisdom handed out balloons and small paper Canada flags. We each took a flag and walked down the road to stake out our space.
Since we had some time to kill before the torch arrived, and commuters were travelling to their destinations, I started waving my little paper flag and waving at cars and trucks as they passed. A surprising thing happened. People smiled. People waved. Some of the people passed by and did nothing. Some of the people passed by and were on their cell phones-tsk tsk. But mainly, people honked. People gave me the thumbs up. Heads nodded. People called greetings out of their open windows. A VANOC bus went by with all of the torch bearers in waiting. They were all smiling and waving. Waiting for their turn at history. Best response of all? A car from the New West Police Department, waved, smiled and put on their colourful lights just for me! No, not to take me away, but in response for a smile and a wave of a hand, of a flag. The Olympic experience. My experience.
The crowds grew, people were friendly and in a happy mood. The coke truck passed and handed out more flags. People wore flags. People wore red. People wore white. Hockey jerseys. Olympic hoodies. Olympic gloves. Olympic hats, you name it! Everyone wanted to come to the party in their own individual way. This was my olympics after all. I know this is as close as we'll get to all of the action except for watching it on TV. Everything is so close by, yet so far removed from us. But not the torch relay.
Get ready. Get set. Here it comes now!
Perhaps it was because we hear all of the negative things about VANOC: massive cost overruns, homeless people being banished from view, autocratic decisions being made. Lawsuits over using the "official" words and symbols by the small business person. Even winning the opportunity to host the Olympics made me mad. I mean how many Februarys can you name that aren't usually snow free on Cypress Mountain? And just the other day hanging the huge Australian Kanagroo flag was a no-no. Happily for all that decision was changed, even a denial that it was a problem at all! No fun Olympics! Well let's just say, I was jaded, I was sarcastic, I was skeptical. Don't get me wrong, I love to watch the Summer Olympics, and the Winter Olympics on TV. But, each and every time the ads run on TV, do you believe, I said: NO! I Don't believe.
Today a new day dawned and I've changed my mind. The torch relay was scheduled to be run just 2 blocks from our house, and after a little debate, we thought, what the heck, let's go for the people running. Cheer them on. Support them. So we went.
We arrived bright and early. The torch was due to pass over the Golden Ears Bridge at 8:45 a.m. On the way down to the route, we passed a new housing development. Management in their wisdom handed out balloons and small paper Canada flags. We each took a flag and walked down the road to stake out our space.
Since we had some time to kill before the torch arrived, and commuters were travelling to their destinations, I started waving my little paper flag and waving at cars and trucks as they passed. A surprising thing happened. People smiled. People waved. Some of the people passed by and did nothing. Some of the people passed by and were on their cell phones-tsk tsk. But mainly, people honked. People gave me the thumbs up. Heads nodded. People called greetings out of their open windows. A VANOC bus went by with all of the torch bearers in waiting. They were all smiling and waving. Waiting for their turn at history. Best response of all? A car from the New West Police Department, waved, smiled and put on their colourful lights just for me! No, not to take me away, but in response for a smile and a wave of a hand, of a flag. The Olympic experience. My experience.
The crowds grew, people were friendly and in a happy mood. The coke truck passed and handed out more flags. People wore flags. People wore red. People wore white. Hockey jerseys. Olympic hoodies. Olympic gloves. Olympic hats, you name it! Everyone wanted to come to the party in their own individual way. This was my olympics after all. I know this is as close as we'll get to all of the action except for watching it on TV. Everything is so close by, yet so far removed from us. But not the torch relay.
Get ready. Get set. Here it comes now!
Anticipation. . .
The music was blasting off this truck, people were dancing.
And right behind, more of the official sponsors. You can see the flags in the kid's hands.
Amy do you dispatch this group too?
This young man was just given a high-five by a member of the Fire Department. He's waiting to run his 300 meters. Waiting for his time in the Olympic spotlight.
There she is now!
Murphy's law!!! Woulda, coulda, shoulda have been a great shot of the torch bearer!
Then the handlers made the group beside us move back and the camera focus was too close. Oh well. She was happy. Sadly the workers didn't know who she was! But she did awesome. She did us proud.
Over too soon!
But wait . . . the exchange!
Awesome. See the van filled with photographers and videographers capturing each and every handoff, each and every step along its' journey across Canada.
Time for her last pose!
And away he goes down 96th! Sorry we didn't know who either of these torch bearers were, but we know people were cheering.
And that my friends was the Olympic Torch Experience, run over a thousand times before this one. What a well oiled machine. What planning. Nicely done everyone! Thanks VANOC!
Now only 5 more sleeps to the biggest party BC has ever hosted. Enjoy it everyone. And if you still have a chance to "participate" in the Torch Relay. Go, you won't be sorry you did.
Go Canada Go!
2 comments:
act ually it was 11,899 times run before-cameron
I knew I could count on you for the correct statistics Cameron. Nanny should have called you before I put this out in Bloggerland. Next time I'll know who to call! xxxx
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