A Day in the City

Today was the first day that we had nothing scheduled by way of an event so we stayed at the condo a bit taking care of some telephone errands and doing some internet research. Then we went into town to take in some of the non-sports experiences.

As we walked into town we were walking along next to some young and rowdy folk. Five women in what looked like US team gear walked by. The young folk called out to them. We noticed that they tensed a bit, perhaps worried about the kind of anti-American antagonism that the people sitting near us for the snowboarding talked about. When they told us they were on the US women's hockey team, though, any fears were erased as the youth and we begged them to let us take pictures with them. They graciously agreed. One of our errands in the morning had involved picking up tickets for the semi with the US and Sweden, so we wished them luck and let them go on their way without bothering them more. It was, as they say, WAY COOL.

Then we went and stood in line for 45 minutes to have lunch and a drink and watch Mellisa Hollingsworth's skeleton final with other Canadians at the downtown Live City site. With hundreds of other Canadians we cheered and gasped at a run that was not what we might have wished. It was, notwithstanding the result, a wonderful, communal, experience.

Looking for something truly Olympic, we then went to join the line for the the Canadian Mint Pavillion. The line was reported to be three hours long, but lasted only two. It felt shorter though because we met such nice people in line. There was a foursome of friends: a couple who came from Astralia 37 years ago and a couple who have been here all their lives. They had a lively sense of humour, told engaging stories and made a long wait seem a short one. We have had similar luck in many of the line ups here and are enjoying the line ups more than we could ever have predicted.

The Royal Candian Mint was responsible for making the actual Olympic medals and there was an exhibit that included Olympic medals that we were able to touch and hold, (albeit only with light gloves given us by the mint for the purpose). They are heavy. One of the technicians who worked on the medals was there to answer questions and he told us that the athletes requested that the medals be heave because they wanted to FEEL them hanging around their necks. We also learned that one aspect of the medals, the woodgrain-like backround, was originally a flaw caused by the laser engraving process. The mint intended to repair the flaw but VANOC told them not to, that the woodgrain look was perfect. We agree. Let it be said again, we got to touch and hold Olympic medals. Wow. The technician who was there told Kim that he had worked on the metal for the Mars lander and in his view working on the Olympic medals was much cooler.

We finished off the day with dinner at Guu, Kim's favourite Vancouver restaurant. Its atmosphere is a little like a Japanese "Licks" with dishes being called loudly back and forth across the restaurant. The food is much better than Licks' food though. Sharkfin and jellyfish salad, scallops and a beef salad among other things made for a good dinner. The perfect drink on a day when Canada won another gold was Guu's "Gold Medal" drink: white wine, aloe juice and tonic. It was quite tasty.

We had thought of going to German Saxony house but the line was too long. It looked like a really rocking place though, and we hope to go back there before all is done. Really there is too much to do here, even in all the time we are here. The youth wandering the streets at all hours, cheering Canada at any opportunity provide infectious enthusiasm, and make one want never to go home to bed. But there is tomorrow still and sleep is needed to be able enjoy that day.

Stuffed With Experiences Galore,

The Entity
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Kim Boara Alexander