City Sights...

 

In one of the Skytrain Stations...

 Signs of great pride found everywhere... this one was in a coffee house along Hamilton Street.

Beautiful architecture of the Vancouver Public Library...

Science World where Russia meets Vancouver introducing us to Sochi where the 2014 Olympics will be...

One of the wee worlds throughout the Olympic Village...

One of the many painted eagles that adorn the streets of Vancouver...

 

Canada Hockey House where the line up was sooo long...

A Love Letter...

 

The extraordinary, majestic and beautiful Mount Baker in Washington state as seen from Langley B.C. Canadians and Americans have a unique, collaborative and compassionate relationship. We co-created these countries for safety and opportunity and the video presentation that Tom Brokaw produced before the 2010 Olympics speaks volumes... Enjoy!

For Jack Poole...

Jack Poole was a marvel of a human being. Born in Ireland in 1933, he had an amazingly strong, tight and healthy relationship with his da... When his community was hit by a bomb, his dad had to identify a niece, only knowing her by a severed finger that held a ring. This had such a devastating effect on Jack's dad and within a few weeks, he too was gone from this earth. Jack made a decision to accept an opportunity to move to Canada and teach. As he flew over the northern shore of this massive country, he wondered why - to paraphrase him - one could grasp Ireland, toss it like a frisbee into this land and it wouldn't be found for a week. Landing in Edmonton the immigration officer asked him what he was coming to Canada to do? Jack replied by telling the man he was going to teach. This very wise and caring man looked directly at him and told him that he had better make this country better and to do good!

And... he did...

Mr. Jack Poole remained with us "until after the Olympic Torch was ignited in Athens and then died peacefully in Vancouver. He was 76." 

In Mortlach, Saskatchewan, where Jack once taught, a very special torch relay event was held in his honour - you can view that event here. 

The Unique Bouquets...

We have heard many people comment on the unique bouquets that the athletes are presented with during the medal ceremonies. Comments from "What kinda flowers are those?" to "Why are they getting broccoli?" The story behind the bouquets are as interesting as the floral designer who was granted the contract to create these victory arrangements...

June Strandberg is the executive director of "Just Beginnings Non-Profit Society, a flower shop and floral design school for women with barriers to employment. Many of the students are recovering from addiction, leaving prison, exiting the sex trade or are victims of violence."

You can follow the rest of this here Vancouver 2010 Victory Bouquet Story or @ Just Beginnings...

 Thank you June...

In the Right Place at the Right Time...

After a frustrating afternoon of being caught in a very thick crowd by Canada Hockey House, we wandered by the CBC Bread Basket on our way to BC Place where I decided to pause for a Latte. The Barista asked us if we were there to see Alex and while I racked my brain to think of a CBC personality named Alex, Max asked him if he meant Alex Bilodeau? "Yes!" he remarked... And so, we ordered our drinks, had a seat and were honoured to listen to an interview with the humble Olympian...

Now feeling more than satisfied we headed out of the Bread Basket and out on the street where Brent queried, "Is that Jennifer Heil?" The freestyler was just hangin with friends and was so gracious to have a few photos taken...

 

How cool is that?!

After a well-deserved commendation offered to Jenn Heil, we walked towards Smithe when we were surpassed by an interesting group who were also on their way to BC Place...

BC's own Rock sensation Hedley brushed by us and we were thrilled to have them entertain us following the medal ceremony that evening... Cha-Ching!

The Story of Our Medals...

Artist Corrine Hunt is a gentle and collaborative soul acknowledging and designing these amazing and unique medals. If you have not seen the vignette about the making of these you can view it here.

Must Needs & Sees...

 

If you do not have an official spectator app - this will quickly become your best friend. Filled with everything from maps to tips for just about everything. If you did not receive one along with your tickets, they are available at every sport venue...

All we needed for outerwear was our North Face jackets and for me - my down vest...

Alerts  for transportation and any event changes were crucial and we were thankful that I had configured this site to SMS me with any notifications.

What a Busy Time

Hello All,

We have been having an amazing adventure staying in Langley with Brent's gracious Aunt Em and Uncle Gary in their spacious gated home on a beautiful parcel of property encased with cedars - photos to come when we arrive home. I have not been able to update our blog as we have been soooo busy... But suffice is to say that the transportation in Vancouver is incredibly easy to use and transfers from buses to Skytrains are readily accessed. From a friend on twitter I would like to reiterate that Vancouver isn't awesome because it has the Olympics, the Olympics are here because Vancouver is awesome!

When you arrive one of your best friends will become The Official Spectator Guide - a wee pocket book that is filled with maps and instructions about everything!

Our weather has been absolutely beauitfully warm and dry which has made for awesome travelling about the city.

Until we head for home...

...Ellyn

Vancouver Webcams & Free Wi-Fi

The following are sites that one can link to - we're using the webcams to gage the weather and what we should be wearing for the day and the other to find out where we will spend a part of our day updating the blog...

Vancouver Community Webcams
Latte & Links
The Wired Monk

The Torch Relay

As we anticipated the arrival of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, we were fortunate to travel to Camrose, Alberta for the torch relay event.