We promised a final entry looking back and, watching coverage of the opening ceremonies for the Paralympics, it seemed time to keep that promise. We can well believe that Vancouver is turning out more enthusiastically for the Paralympics than any city before. It would be like getting a shot at another dose of the most benign euphoric drug ever made. We'd go back in a flash if we could.
The spirit was, after all, like no other we have ever known. And that is no comment on our experience; everyone we met said the same. Nor was it just for enthusiasts born to cheer like us. Vancouverite after Vancouverite told us how they had been skeptical and thought they should just leave town for the Olympics. But the flame came and they felt it spark up and burn inside them, often much to their surprise. Claire told us of a couple she knew who had actually bought a vacation in Hawaii for February and were regretting it.
There is, it turns out, in every person, a desire for something as simple and pure as the drive to test limits, often facing real risk and dangers. The athletes try and fail and succeed and overcome and fail to overcome in Olympic sport as we try and fail and overcome and fail to overcome in the travails of our lives everyday. In their courage and grace we find again in ourselves the desire, so eroded by the wear and tear, to be courageous and graceful ourselves. The chances to be so are there everyday, if we will only see them as such.
Looking back, we don't know that we did enough to describe the feeling in Vancouver on the day of the men's hockey gold medal match. NO ONE wanted to watch at home alone or with just a few people. Everyone wanted to be with a crowd, preferably downtown and preferably where beer could be purchased. There was a pervasive fear felt by people that the game would start and they would be left out on the street with nowhere to watch and no one to watch with. It was a bit like the city was being evacuated, but instead of rushing onto planes and buses and trains, we were rushing into bars and pavilions, seeking to escape only the risk of toxic exclusion from the greatest communal moment of a generation.
Another thing worth a few more words is the sheer beauty of sport when seen live. We don't know why television can't capture it, but it can't. The grace of the speed skater's leaning caress of the ice, the pause in movement and almost in time, as a snowboarder pauses in the air launched from the side of the half-pipe, the contrast of the fluidity in the air and solidity of a good landing by an aerialist: these things are not just athletic; they are beautiful.
Finally, we would like to thank all of you who have followed this blog. More followed than we expected. We are pleased and flattered and grateful to discover that people have felt closer to Vancouver 2010 because of it. Your comments and support have been special to us. Thank you and goodbye.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Our Odyssey Comes to An End
Yesterday and today feel like one long day so we'll use dates. On March 2nd we got up, put the last touches on tidying the condo and packing and left the place that had been our Olympic home. We found out later that we had missed packing our camera charger but everything else was in good shape.
We had picked up an extra piece of luggage and now had four larger bags and three carry on sized bags. Our flight wasn't until 9:00 p.m. and there was no way we could lug all that around all day, so we had called the day before to confirm that we could check our luggage in the morning at the airport. The Canada Line makes travel to the airport so easy that we could then go back to Vancouver, spend the day and return to the airport for our flight without any problem.
While there were some glitches with the plan, it worked out in the end and we found ourselves back downtown sans luggage with the bulk of the day ahead of us. We had a quick bite at a Cafe Artigiano, (an excellent coffee house chain that may we think soon be giving Starbucks a run for its money in Vancouver). The City was still disassembling and cleaning up from the Olympics and many people looked a little lost without the constant buzz of activity. We read in the paper that VANOC will be providing counselling for the thousands of people who have defined themselves for the last few years by their work towards the Olympics and who, now, have no idea what is next.
We went to the Vancouver Art Gallery where there was an exhibit of original Da Vinci anatomical drawings, with Da Vinci's marginal notes--it was a special exhibit that came to the city with the Olympics, but that will be staying until May. One of the points Da Vinci makes in his notes is that it is useless to try to describe in words what needs to be shown and we won't try to fully describe the intricacy of the drawings, except to say that modern textbooks are in many respects no more accurate than was Da Vinci. In some ways it is analogous to our Olympic experience--it was impossible to capture in words or pictures--you simply had to be there.
The exhibit was larger than we expected and was fascinating. The papers were in glass, suspended vertically so that we could see the work on both sides. Da Vinci had personally dissected many cadavers and made extensive drawings and notes. His anatomical understanding was centuries ahead of his contemporaries.
In fact, his intent had been to publish the drawings as part of, essentially, a text book, but he died before he could complete the work. His heirs simply kept the material with his other things and it wasn't until almost 1900 that anyone realized that Da Vinci had been so in advance of the world: one of the most casual and dramatic wastes of work and knowledge perhaps in human history.
The rest of the museum was a mix of modern socially aware art and Group of Seven classics. There was some good photography on display and one piece of sculpture - a whale skeleton (to scale) made from plastic lawn chairs - was quite striking. From the patio on the cafe we overlooked Robson Square, with its skating rink empty, its entries barred off and crews of workers taking down the zip line, the information booth and ticket area.
At the back of the art gallery is the Olympic countdown clock, showing 0 days, 0 hours, 0 minutes and 0 seconds to the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. On the opposite side is the countdown clock for the Paralympics, which start in only 10 days. Somehow, the flip side seems forgotten.
From there we made one last visit to the Bay, where there was still a line up to the Olympic store. A friend who shall remain nameless only a couple of days before thought to ask us to get him a pair of the red Olympic mittens. This was, needless to say, very late to that party. The things had been on Oprah! There were none, nor were any of the other things we were looking for in stock. The staff at the Bay looked shell shocked, but maintained a helpful attitude.
Then came our last meal in Vancouver - and what a meal it was! It was at a Belgian restaurant that served food for the gods. It was called "Chambar". From drinks made with both pisco AND absinthe to a mushroom/truffle soup that was served in an esspresso sized cup because the human palate couldn't handle more to venison and mussels that were beyond compare, this may have been the best meal we had in Vancouver. Take that Vij's!
The Canada Line took us back to the airport and Westjet took us back to Toronto where our friend Tracy very kindly picked us up at the airport (thank you, Tracy!). We didn't want to come back. As we said, some of the Olympic employees are receiving counseling for the post Olympic let down. We'd like some too.
This will be our second-last entry; we will do one more with our final thoughts.
Back on the ground,
The Entity
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Kim Boara Alexander
We had picked up an extra piece of luggage and now had four larger bags and three carry on sized bags. Our flight wasn't until 9:00 p.m. and there was no way we could lug all that around all day, so we had called the day before to confirm that we could check our luggage in the morning at the airport. The Canada Line makes travel to the airport so easy that we could then go back to Vancouver, spend the day and return to the airport for our flight without any problem.
While there were some glitches with the plan, it worked out in the end and we found ourselves back downtown sans luggage with the bulk of the day ahead of us. We had a quick bite at a Cafe Artigiano, (an excellent coffee house chain that may we think soon be giving Starbucks a run for its money in Vancouver). The City was still disassembling and cleaning up from the Olympics and many people looked a little lost without the constant buzz of activity. We read in the paper that VANOC will be providing counselling for the thousands of people who have defined themselves for the last few years by their work towards the Olympics and who, now, have no idea what is next.
We went to the Vancouver Art Gallery where there was an exhibit of original Da Vinci anatomical drawings, with Da Vinci's marginal notes--it was a special exhibit that came to the city with the Olympics, but that will be staying until May. One of the points Da Vinci makes in his notes is that it is useless to try to describe in words what needs to be shown and we won't try to fully describe the intricacy of the drawings, except to say that modern textbooks are in many respects no more accurate than was Da Vinci. In some ways it is analogous to our Olympic experience--it was impossible to capture in words or pictures--you simply had to be there.
The exhibit was larger than we expected and was fascinating. The papers were in glass, suspended vertically so that we could see the work on both sides. Da Vinci had personally dissected many cadavers and made extensive drawings and notes. His anatomical understanding was centuries ahead of his contemporaries.
In fact, his intent had been to publish the drawings as part of, essentially, a text book, but he died before he could complete the work. His heirs simply kept the material with his other things and it wasn't until almost 1900 that anyone realized that Da Vinci had been so in advance of the world: one of the most casual and dramatic wastes of work and knowledge perhaps in human history.
The rest of the museum was a mix of modern socially aware art and Group of Seven classics. There was some good photography on display and one piece of sculpture - a whale skeleton (to scale) made from plastic lawn chairs - was quite striking. From the patio on the cafe we overlooked Robson Square, with its skating rink empty, its entries barred off and crews of workers taking down the zip line, the information booth and ticket area.
At the back of the art gallery is the Olympic countdown clock, showing 0 days, 0 hours, 0 minutes and 0 seconds to the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. On the opposite side is the countdown clock for the Paralympics, which start in only 10 days. Somehow, the flip side seems forgotten.
From there we made one last visit to the Bay, where there was still a line up to the Olympic store. A friend who shall remain nameless only a couple of days before thought to ask us to get him a pair of the red Olympic mittens. This was, needless to say, very late to that party. The things had been on Oprah! There were none, nor were any of the other things we were looking for in stock. The staff at the Bay looked shell shocked, but maintained a helpful attitude.
Then came our last meal in Vancouver - and what a meal it was! It was at a Belgian restaurant that served food for the gods. It was called "Chambar". From drinks made with both pisco AND absinthe to a mushroom/truffle soup that was served in an esspresso sized cup because the human palate couldn't handle more to venison and mussels that were beyond compare, this may have been the best meal we had in Vancouver. Take that Vij's!
The Canada Line took us back to the airport and Westjet took us back to Toronto where our friend Tracy very kindly picked us up at the airport (thank you, Tracy!). We didn't want to come back. As we said, some of the Olympic employees are receiving counseling for the post Olympic let down. We'd like some too.
This will be our second-last entry; we will do one more with our final thoughts.
Back on the ground,
The Entity
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Kim Boara Alexander
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Would the Last Person to Leave Please Turn off the Lights...
When we woke up this morning the difference was palpable. It started when Kim reflexively turned on the TV and what came on was championship bowling. Yup, bowling! We didn't watch.
We had a lot to do today: laundry and cleaning up the condo so that we can return it to Ann and Arnold in the same condition it was when they entrusted it to us. We also had errands to run outside the condo. The city was quiet. The pavilions are already closed; they were taking the cow decals off of what used to be "Swiss House" and transforming it back to "Bridges" the restaurant. We had our choice of restaurant for lunch, without a line up and without a crowd.
We ate at "Cat Social House" on Granville island, on the patio with a view of the water. The setting was pristine. The waiter was friendly and said that the difference between today and yesterday was astonishing...it was like somebody hit the "off button". We had a pleasant meal, tried some excellent local beer (not sold in cans, so we couldn't bring any home) and ate at a leisurely pace.
We stopped at a local art store and had a similar conversation with the proprietor as we had with the waiter. We told her that the city and its people had won us over. We had come for the Olympics but we would be back--for the scenery, the food, the recreation and the activity. We meant it and we think that others who came will feel the same.
We also truly hope that the same energy is there for the Paralympics. We wish we could have gone to both the Olympics and Paralympics; commitments and budget required us to choose. It's too bad that they are separate events and not one Olympics which includes events for all.
We still haven't seen the Closing Ceremonies. We had planned to watch it "On Demand". Unfortunately, there seems to be a technical glitch. It seems wrong not to see the Closing Ceremonies before we leave Vancouver tomorrow. Shaw is supposed to call us when it's fixed. Here's hoping.
We leave tomorrow evening, taking a red eye flight, arriving back in Toronto at 6:00am. During the day tomorrow we plan to take in a Leonardo DaVinci exhibit that, while special for the Olympics, is open until March 2. We may also go to Northern House, which is staying open until April and which was truly breathtaking.
It certainly hasn't all sunk in. We have done and experienced so much in three weeks. We have more than 1000 pictures to sort through, but the photos cannot and do not evoke the true impact of this trip. There will likely be one or two more entries in this blog before we stop to cover the trip home and some final reflections.
Not ready to get back to life and back to reality,
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
We had a lot to do today: laundry and cleaning up the condo so that we can return it to Ann and Arnold in the same condition it was when they entrusted it to us. We also had errands to run outside the condo. The city was quiet. The pavilions are already closed; they were taking the cow decals off of what used to be "Swiss House" and transforming it back to "Bridges" the restaurant. We had our choice of restaurant for lunch, without a line up and without a crowd.
We ate at "Cat Social House" on Granville island, on the patio with a view of the water. The setting was pristine. The waiter was friendly and said that the difference between today and yesterday was astonishing...it was like somebody hit the "off button". We had a pleasant meal, tried some excellent local beer (not sold in cans, so we couldn't bring any home) and ate at a leisurely pace.
We stopped at a local art store and had a similar conversation with the proprietor as we had with the waiter. We told her that the city and its people had won us over. We had come for the Olympics but we would be back--for the scenery, the food, the recreation and the activity. We meant it and we think that others who came will feel the same.
We also truly hope that the same energy is there for the Paralympics. We wish we could have gone to both the Olympics and Paralympics; commitments and budget required us to choose. It's too bad that they are separate events and not one Olympics which includes events for all.
We still haven't seen the Closing Ceremonies. We had planned to watch it "On Demand". Unfortunately, there seems to be a technical glitch. It seems wrong not to see the Closing Ceremonies before we leave Vancouver tomorrow. Shaw is supposed to call us when it's fixed. Here's hoping.
We leave tomorrow evening, taking a red eye flight, arriving back in Toronto at 6:00am. During the day tomorrow we plan to take in a Leonardo DaVinci exhibit that, while special for the Olympics, is open until March 2. We may also go to Northern House, which is staying open until April and which was truly breathtaking.
It certainly hasn't all sunk in. We have done and experienced so much in three weeks. We have more than 1000 pictures to sort through, but the photos cannot and do not evoke the true impact of this trip. There will likely be one or two more entries in this blog before we stop to cover the trip home and some final reflections.
Not ready to get back to life and back to reality,
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Monday, March 1, 2010
A Day The Country Shared With Us
Yesterday we didn't blog. It was a good day--we went to Northern House, enjoyed dinner at Vij's and then watched the day's Olympic coverage on TV. Not a lot to tell. Different story today.
Today was the last day of the Olympics. It was also the day when the men's ice hockey gold medal match would be played. We knew that if we wanted to watch that game with others but have a seat and something to eat and drink, we would need a plan.
We rose earlier than usual and went to the False Creek pavilions where both Quebec house and Saskatchewan house were. That site didn't open until 10;00 and we got there a bit after nine. There was a line up but it seemed likely that many already in it were going to Molsen Hockey house or Ontario House.
Here we encountered the most disappointing moment of our Olympics. The line went up one side of the street from the gate and down the other side of the street past the gate again and on down the street. When the gate opened finally, the line did not hold. Those in the part of the line down the far side of the street just crossed it and jumped ahead of those who had arrived and waited ahead of them. The best that can be said of the mob desperate to secure a place to watch the big game is that it didn't degenerate to actual violence, but the behaviour was wrong and jarring after so many days of orderly civilized behaviour.
After squeezing past the bottleneck outside Molson Hockey House we went as planned to Maison du Quebec. That pavilion wasn't opening until 11:00 but we arrived to be at the front of that line, instead of well back in the line to Saskatchewan or Ontario house. We waited and watched person after person show up and ask, inanely, if they were playing the game. Many, strangely, left when told the game would have the French commentary, as though it could be heard over the noise of the crowd, anyway.
We were joined by our friend Claire, got in essentially first and secured a seat and food. The food was delicious and we were delighted to find that, while, there were no tables, just chairs, the staff were providing service to the chairs for both food and drink. We didn't use it much, since we stocked up when we arrived, but the fact of it around us created a civilized feeling that we are sure no other pavilion had.
As for the game itself, what can be said? If you watched, you know how exciting it was; if you didn't, no words of ours can convey it. There was, for Canadians, something wonderful not just about cheering with hundreds of others for Canada, but in doing so at Maison du Quebec. After all, whatever differences Quebec may have had with the federation, hockey was always something we shared passionately.
It was a smaller crowd than we had for the first US/Canada game, a more intimate feeling, but every bit as intense. We were across the street, essentially, from Canada Hockey Place where the game was being played. We were literally as close to the game as you could watch it without being in the arena. When we poured out onto the street after the win, we joined with those who had been there pouring onto the street and then with the city.
It was an enormous celebration. Street after street was shut down; in places all one could do was let the tide of the crowd take you and feel yourself a part of it. Threre were unstopping cheers and high fives. There were people climbing on lamp posts and bus shelters and roofs. There was no end of joy and no end of communal celebration.
Eventually after walking to the perimeter of the Robson street walk, we found a patio table to sit, eat and drink and watch the people go by. They continued to call out to us as they went by and reach over the patio fence to high five. One motorcycle went by with a woman topless to the world. We ate delicious food, drank three bottles of celebratory bubbly, and soaked it in. People at other tables had been at the game and we happily talked with them about that, and about their families and anything else that came to mind.
We walked Robson and Granville, (the latter of which was actually busier than Robson), stopped for another drink and walked out again. It was Kim who realized that the perfect way to cap all this off was to rent skates and go for a skate in Robson Square, which is what we did. None of us is a great skater, but we glided as best we could and shared that feeling with so much that we had seen over the Olympics.
Then, drained from skating, emotion, walking with an entire city, and, yes, a day of consistent drinking, we found our weary way home. The Olympics are over and nothing remains but the journey home (and to catch the closing ceremonies--we were too busy taking part in the celebrations to watch them live). Over the next few days we will ponder all that we have seen and done.
Completely satisfied,
The Entity
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Kim Boara Alexander
Today was the last day of the Olympics. It was also the day when the men's ice hockey gold medal match would be played. We knew that if we wanted to watch that game with others but have a seat and something to eat and drink, we would need a plan.
We rose earlier than usual and went to the False Creek pavilions where both Quebec house and Saskatchewan house were. That site didn't open until 10;00 and we got there a bit after nine. There was a line up but it seemed likely that many already in it were going to Molsen Hockey house or Ontario House.
Here we encountered the most disappointing moment of our Olympics. The line went up one side of the street from the gate and down the other side of the street past the gate again and on down the street. When the gate opened finally, the line did not hold. Those in the part of the line down the far side of the street just crossed it and jumped ahead of those who had arrived and waited ahead of them. The best that can be said of the mob desperate to secure a place to watch the big game is that it didn't degenerate to actual violence, but the behaviour was wrong and jarring after so many days of orderly civilized behaviour.
After squeezing past the bottleneck outside Molson Hockey House we went as planned to Maison du Quebec. That pavilion wasn't opening until 11:00 but we arrived to be at the front of that line, instead of well back in the line to Saskatchewan or Ontario house. We waited and watched person after person show up and ask, inanely, if they were playing the game. Many, strangely, left when told the game would have the French commentary, as though it could be heard over the noise of the crowd, anyway.
We were joined by our friend Claire, got in essentially first and secured a seat and food. The food was delicious and we were delighted to find that, while, there were no tables, just chairs, the staff were providing service to the chairs for both food and drink. We didn't use it much, since we stocked up when we arrived, but the fact of it around us created a civilized feeling that we are sure no other pavilion had.
As for the game itself, what can be said? If you watched, you know how exciting it was; if you didn't, no words of ours can convey it. There was, for Canadians, something wonderful not just about cheering with hundreds of others for Canada, but in doing so at Maison du Quebec. After all, whatever differences Quebec may have had with the federation, hockey was always something we shared passionately.
It was a smaller crowd than we had for the first US/Canada game, a more intimate feeling, but every bit as intense. We were across the street, essentially, from Canada Hockey Place where the game was being played. We were literally as close to the game as you could watch it without being in the arena. When we poured out onto the street after the win, we joined with those who had been there pouring onto the street and then with the city.
It was an enormous celebration. Street after street was shut down; in places all one could do was let the tide of the crowd take you and feel yourself a part of it. Threre were unstopping cheers and high fives. There were people climbing on lamp posts and bus shelters and roofs. There was no end of joy and no end of communal celebration.
Eventually after walking to the perimeter of the Robson street walk, we found a patio table to sit, eat and drink and watch the people go by. They continued to call out to us as they went by and reach over the patio fence to high five. One motorcycle went by with a woman topless to the world. We ate delicious food, drank three bottles of celebratory bubbly, and soaked it in. People at other tables had been at the game and we happily talked with them about that, and about their families and anything else that came to mind.
We walked Robson and Granville, (the latter of which was actually busier than Robson), stopped for another drink and walked out again. It was Kim who realized that the perfect way to cap all this off was to rent skates and go for a skate in Robson Square, which is what we did. None of us is a great skater, but we glided as best we could and shared that feeling with so much that we had seen over the Olympics.
Then, drained from skating, emotion, walking with an entire city, and, yes, a day of consistent drinking, we found our weary way home. The Olympics are over and nothing remains but the journey home (and to catch the closing ceremonies--we were too busy taking part in the celebrations to watch them live). Over the next few days we will ponder all that we have seen and done.
Completely satisfied,
The Entity
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Kim Boara Alexander
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Wow. Another Amazing Day
A little tired after an intense day yesterday, we slept in a bit, went out for breakfast and then headed into the city, passing the time on the bus by discussing some of the strategies and plays in the women's big game yesterday.
We had tickets to a Victory Ceremony tonight, where medals are awarded and Great Big Sea was to be performing. The result was that we were going to miss the semi-final hockey game. Given that there were no Canadians receiving medals today, it is fair to say that neither of us was sure that we wanted to go to the ceremony but we had paid for the tickets, so we decided to go and to coordinate our day around the ceremony. Also, we are both Great Big Sea fans.
We knew we wanted to watch the gold medal match in women's curling. It was to start at 3:00, ending at approximately 6:00 pm, just half an hour before the Victory Ceremony. We decided, therefore, to go to the area near the ceremony and find a place to watch curling.
We chose not to stand in the long line up for Ontario House or Sochi house, and tried Saskatchewan house instead. The Saskatchewan display was about what you'd expect, with lots of information about wheat, flax and oil. What wasn't in the display but we learned from a Saskatchewan native in line and found more interesting was that, according to our source, Saskatchewan has the best pizza in the world. As one person put it, they brought pizza out and the hungry Saskatchewan farmers looked at it and told them to take it back and put some food on it. We are now tempted to go to Saskatchewan, just for the pizza.
Strangely, while there were big screens at Saskatchewan house, they weren't showing any Olympic coverage. We'd have expected curling to be big for Saskatchewan, but evidently not. So we moved on.
We ended up a Maison du Quebec---it was very cool. The food was excellent and a dramatic improvement over the hot dogs and chili we had been eating in the other public viewing tents. Also, they had a system for drinks---you bought a card and then could serve yourself metred drinks from a self serve wine machine which automatically poured for you from nice bottles of wine. No waiting, no tipping, etc. We settled in with wine, cheese and grapes.
Two Quebecois men joined our table. At first they were bemused by the rapt attention being paid by all to the curling. We explained the rules at least so far as we had gleaned them from watching on TV and from the buds on "Hack Radio". On another screen was the men's four man bobsleigh event and we watched some remarkable crashes.
We noted that the guys at our table were wearing Hockey Canada credentials. Paul asked what the affiliation was. They started by somewhat sheepishly saying they knew one of the players. When we didn't behave stupidly, they opened up more--they were Martin Brodeur's golf buddies and long time friends. They told us how they were good naturedly teasing him about how unusual it is for Brodeur to be the back up goalie. Kim told them that he looks good in a baseball cap and, since he doesn't have to worry about playing he should have his hair and makeup done before the game. One of the guys texted a version of the joke to Martin, asking how his makeup was. If Martin Brodeur looked good on the bench tonight, you might have Kim to thank.
One of the guys took our picture. He then asked for our e-mail. We exchanged e-mails and his was "Omerta". He said nothing about it, but his friend explained that "Omerta" is the french name for the CBC mini-series "the Last Chapter"--a Montreal Mob story with Roy Dupuis that Paul and I both enjoyed. This guy was the main writer. It was really cool.
As the guys headed off to the game we told them to say hello to Martin Brodeur for us!
We made the day of a couple of young guys standing behind our table by leaving before the hockey game started; they had been expecting to stand for hours. From their gratitude that we gave them a heads up that we were leaving, you'd think we had taken a bullet for them. As we had seen before, table space leading up to a Canadian hockey game is at a premuim. We will have to plan our placement for the gold medal game carefully.
We then went to the Victory Ceremony, where they gave us regular updates on the score at the hockey game, which was taking place right next door. The medals were given out and then Great Big Sea began to play. If you've never seen them live, then you are missing something. Kim, frustrated by the fact that all the people in our section had stayed sitting, moved to a railing area where she would not be in anybody's way and began jumping up and down. Anyone who was at PJ O'Brien's with her the night Bang on the Ear played will know the enthusiasm she brought to that exercise. From his seat, Paul saw a number of Olympic officials go up to speak with Kim. He assumed that they were asking her to go back to her seat. Really, they were asking her not to hurt herself, then ensuring that she was having a good time, confirming the number of people in her party and securing upgraded floor level tickets for us!!!!!
Yes, we were upgraded to floor level--a roomy dance floor where people were dancing, jumping and having a great time, and right in front of the stage where the band was playing. Paul has never been closer to the band at a concert this size. This floor is also the set that was used during the opening ceremonies and we were right there--at the stage, under the Olympic rings. The fake snow was still on the ground, and all over were pieces of gold, silver and bronze confetti which had been sprayed into the air when the medals were awarded. We had a blast. We danced, we sang and people kept offering to take our picture!!!!!!!
The concert ended at about 9:00pm, not long after the hockey game got out. We joined the throngs on the street. The public mood was jubilant. High-fives everywhere, chants of CA-NA-DA !!!! CA-NA-DA!!!, performances of the national anthem and repeated over, and over, "We want the Gold". Paul said it was like being on Yonge Street when the Jays won the World Series. The mood was so optimistic, buoyed not only by the hockey victory but also by the four other medals won by Canadians today, one in curling and three in short track speed skating.
We walked back to the condo, caught up on the events we missed during the day and are planning to watch the highlights from the game.
We don't want this to end. Ever. There is a unit for sale in our condo and it's affordable...hmmmmm.....
Soaking it all in,
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
We had tickets to a Victory Ceremony tonight, where medals are awarded and Great Big Sea was to be performing. The result was that we were going to miss the semi-final hockey game. Given that there were no Canadians receiving medals today, it is fair to say that neither of us was sure that we wanted to go to the ceremony but we had paid for the tickets, so we decided to go and to coordinate our day around the ceremony. Also, we are both Great Big Sea fans.
We knew we wanted to watch the gold medal match in women's curling. It was to start at 3:00, ending at approximately 6:00 pm, just half an hour before the Victory Ceremony. We decided, therefore, to go to the area near the ceremony and find a place to watch curling.
We chose not to stand in the long line up for Ontario House or Sochi house, and tried Saskatchewan house instead. The Saskatchewan display was about what you'd expect, with lots of information about wheat, flax and oil. What wasn't in the display but we learned from a Saskatchewan native in line and found more interesting was that, according to our source, Saskatchewan has the best pizza in the world. As one person put it, they brought pizza out and the hungry Saskatchewan farmers looked at it and told them to take it back and put some food on it. We are now tempted to go to Saskatchewan, just for the pizza.
Strangely, while there were big screens at Saskatchewan house, they weren't showing any Olympic coverage. We'd have expected curling to be big for Saskatchewan, but evidently not. So we moved on.
We ended up a Maison du Quebec---it was very cool. The food was excellent and a dramatic improvement over the hot dogs and chili we had been eating in the other public viewing tents. Also, they had a system for drinks---you bought a card and then could serve yourself metred drinks from a self serve wine machine which automatically poured for you from nice bottles of wine. No waiting, no tipping, etc. We settled in with wine, cheese and grapes.
Two Quebecois men joined our table. At first they were bemused by the rapt attention being paid by all to the curling. We explained the rules at least so far as we had gleaned them from watching on TV and from the buds on "Hack Radio". On another screen was the men's four man bobsleigh event and we watched some remarkable crashes.
We noted that the guys at our table were wearing Hockey Canada credentials. Paul asked what the affiliation was. They started by somewhat sheepishly saying they knew one of the players. When we didn't behave stupidly, they opened up more--they were Martin Brodeur's golf buddies and long time friends. They told us how they were good naturedly teasing him about how unusual it is for Brodeur to be the back up goalie. Kim told them that he looks good in a baseball cap and, since he doesn't have to worry about playing he should have his hair and makeup done before the game. One of the guys texted a version of the joke to Martin, asking how his makeup was. If Martin Brodeur looked good on the bench tonight, you might have Kim to thank.
One of the guys took our picture. He then asked for our e-mail. We exchanged e-mails and his was "Omerta". He said nothing about it, but his friend explained that "Omerta" is the french name for the CBC mini-series "the Last Chapter"--a Montreal Mob story with Roy Dupuis that Paul and I both enjoyed. This guy was the main writer. It was really cool.
As the guys headed off to the game we told them to say hello to Martin Brodeur for us!
We made the day of a couple of young guys standing behind our table by leaving before the hockey game started; they had been expecting to stand for hours. From their gratitude that we gave them a heads up that we were leaving, you'd think we had taken a bullet for them. As we had seen before, table space leading up to a Canadian hockey game is at a premuim. We will have to plan our placement for the gold medal game carefully.
We then went to the Victory Ceremony, where they gave us regular updates on the score at the hockey game, which was taking place right next door. The medals were given out and then Great Big Sea began to play. If you've never seen them live, then you are missing something. Kim, frustrated by the fact that all the people in our section had stayed sitting, moved to a railing area where she would not be in anybody's way and began jumping up and down. Anyone who was at PJ O'Brien's with her the night Bang on the Ear played will know the enthusiasm she brought to that exercise. From his seat, Paul saw a number of Olympic officials go up to speak with Kim. He assumed that they were asking her to go back to her seat. Really, they were asking her not to hurt herself, then ensuring that she was having a good time, confirming the number of people in her party and securing upgraded floor level tickets for us!!!!!
Yes, we were upgraded to floor level--a roomy dance floor where people were dancing, jumping and having a great time, and right in front of the stage where the band was playing. Paul has never been closer to the band at a concert this size. This floor is also the set that was used during the opening ceremonies and we were right there--at the stage, under the Olympic rings. The fake snow was still on the ground, and all over were pieces of gold, silver and bronze confetti which had been sprayed into the air when the medals were awarded. We had a blast. We danced, we sang and people kept offering to take our picture!!!!!!!
The concert ended at about 9:00pm, not long after the hockey game got out. We joined the throngs on the street. The public mood was jubilant. High-fives everywhere, chants of CA-NA-DA !!!! CA-NA-DA!!!, performances of the national anthem and repeated over, and over, "We want the Gold". Paul said it was like being on Yonge Street when the Jays won the World Series. The mood was so optimistic, buoyed not only by the hockey victory but also by the four other medals won by Canadians today, one in curling and three in short track speed skating.
We walked back to the condo, caught up on the events we missed during the day and are planning to watch the highlights from the game.
We don't want this to end. Ever. There is a unit for sale in our condo and it's affordable...hmmmmm.....
Soaking it all in,
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Friday, February 26, 2010
Elation and an Old Friend.
We were there. We were at The Game where the women won gold. We were at the third consecutive women's hockey gold. We were at the gold that broke Canada's record for gold medals in any winter games.
Before the game even started though, there are two stories worth telling. First, on the way to the game, we were a little stressed because we had left, while early, not as early for an event as we usually do. Then we just missed the bus we planned to take. Another bus came up to the stop; it was labeled only "special". We asked if it was going near Canada Hockey Place and the driver hemmed and hawed and then said he could drop us near the place. Then when we got to Burrard Station, the driver announced that this was the last stop and all were to leave the bus; Burrard Station is NOT near Canada Hockey Place. We went up to ask and before we could say anything, the driver told us we didn't need to leave the bus; he would drop us off. He then drove the bus several blocks out of his way and dropped us off in easy walking distance of Canada Hockey Place. An outstanding example of Vancouver hospitality and helpfulness.
Then, when we got to the venue, we of course waited before we were let in. Kim wandered down to the water to take pictures of the Athlete's Village. (Paul was running into someone he knew vaguely from the YMCA in Toronto.) But Kim called Paul down to the water because there was something truly remarkable there. It was a stone shoreline. As we've mentioned before, the Inukshuk is one of the symbols of these games. The shoreline for its entire length was populated with stone Inukshuks. There were hundreds and likely thousands extending along the shoreline for as far as the eye could see. It was the kind of powerful and affecting that can never be told, but can only be experienced. We found ourselves telling others in line to be sure to look at them, lest a unique chance be lost to them. The Inukshuk is a marker that says something like "people are here." In these games it seems to say more; it seems to say "ALL people are here."
Returning to hockey, we can't help but think that these women dreamt about this their whole lives: to play in a packed NHL arena for the ultimate prize, and in front of a home crowd to boot. Today the dream came true. They played. They played exceptionally, they won and they brought all of us with them. This game was worth the price of admission. It was worth everything.
We hugged and jumped at the two goals. We gasped and cheered at every American shot and Canadian save. In the way that is cliche, but when real so powerful, we lived and died with our team, Canada's team. We gave no thought to the millions watching on television or to anything but the moment and the women before us on the ice. They earned every attention and respect. We say it again - we were there.
Canadians won and were gracious in victory. When the Americans received their medals we all chanted "U.S.A". They gave us a great game, were terrific guests and it wouldn't have been as sweet without them. It was a grace note of courtesy that was possibly the most open generous gesture we have seen in these games. And if faces are any measure, it was appreciated. We couldn't help but think of the five young women with whom we'd had a picture taken just days before. Our team won, but we respect their effort, play and dedication to the game.
To us, this win means more than if the men win gold. It says more about our country. All over the world men believe they can be anything; it is a gift to live in a country where women are constrained by nothing but the scope of their own imaginations. In Canada you can be a star hockey player and, when you win, you can bring your son on the ice just as Hailey Wickenheiser did today. You can be an athlete, you can have a career, you can be a Mom. Your choice! Thank you, Canada.
After the game the good fortune continued. In Quebec House we bumped into our old friend, Claire. It was a chance meeting that continued a great day. She is living in Vancouver and took us to parts of town we hadn't visited before. We had wine, snacks and great conversation.
While at the restaurant we met an American from Detroit, now living in Hawaii. She said that she was at the U.S. v. Swiss game and that certain Canadians were rude and offensive about Americans. To make up for it, we bought their table a round and told them that we hoped this improved their Canadian experience. We think it did; they reciprocated with a round of tequila for us!
Joannie Rochette had a tremendous and emotional bronze today. We watched it live with Claire at the restaurant. It brought a tear to the eye. The Americans were also touched and the whole place stopped to watch the skate. Joannie's story is much told, and rightly so; people don't need it here; but every story that is on television is more intense even on television, when you are in the Olympic city, feeling the Olympic story, palpable and close.
This had been the day we had been working towards. It exceeded all expectations.
With pride and joy.
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Before the game even started though, there are two stories worth telling. First, on the way to the game, we were a little stressed because we had left, while early, not as early for an event as we usually do. Then we just missed the bus we planned to take. Another bus came up to the stop; it was labeled only "special". We asked if it was going near Canada Hockey Place and the driver hemmed and hawed and then said he could drop us near the place. Then when we got to Burrard Station, the driver announced that this was the last stop and all were to leave the bus; Burrard Station is NOT near Canada Hockey Place. We went up to ask and before we could say anything, the driver told us we didn't need to leave the bus; he would drop us off. He then drove the bus several blocks out of his way and dropped us off in easy walking distance of Canada Hockey Place. An outstanding example of Vancouver hospitality and helpfulness.
Then, when we got to the venue, we of course waited before we were let in. Kim wandered down to the water to take pictures of the Athlete's Village. (Paul was running into someone he knew vaguely from the YMCA in Toronto.) But Kim called Paul down to the water because there was something truly remarkable there. It was a stone shoreline. As we've mentioned before, the Inukshuk is one of the symbols of these games. The shoreline for its entire length was populated with stone Inukshuks. There were hundreds and likely thousands extending along the shoreline for as far as the eye could see. It was the kind of powerful and affecting that can never be told, but can only be experienced. We found ourselves telling others in line to be sure to look at them, lest a unique chance be lost to them. The Inukshuk is a marker that says something like "people are here." In these games it seems to say more; it seems to say "ALL people are here."
Returning to hockey, we can't help but think that these women dreamt about this their whole lives: to play in a packed NHL arena for the ultimate prize, and in front of a home crowd to boot. Today the dream came true. They played. They played exceptionally, they won and they brought all of us with them. This game was worth the price of admission. It was worth everything.
We hugged and jumped at the two goals. We gasped and cheered at every American shot and Canadian save. In the way that is cliche, but when real so powerful, we lived and died with our team, Canada's team. We gave no thought to the millions watching on television or to anything but the moment and the women before us on the ice. They earned every attention and respect. We say it again - we were there.
Canadians won and were gracious in victory. When the Americans received their medals we all chanted "U.S.A". They gave us a great game, were terrific guests and it wouldn't have been as sweet without them. It was a grace note of courtesy that was possibly the most open generous gesture we have seen in these games. And if faces are any measure, it was appreciated. We couldn't help but think of the five young women with whom we'd had a picture taken just days before. Our team won, but we respect their effort, play and dedication to the game.
To us, this win means more than if the men win gold. It says more about our country. All over the world men believe they can be anything; it is a gift to live in a country where women are constrained by nothing but the scope of their own imaginations. In Canada you can be a star hockey player and, when you win, you can bring your son on the ice just as Hailey Wickenheiser did today. You can be an athlete, you can have a career, you can be a Mom. Your choice! Thank you, Canada.
After the game the good fortune continued. In Quebec House we bumped into our old friend, Claire. It was a chance meeting that continued a great day. She is living in Vancouver and took us to parts of town we hadn't visited before. We had wine, snacks and great conversation.
While at the restaurant we met an American from Detroit, now living in Hawaii. She said that she was at the U.S. v. Swiss game and that certain Canadians were rude and offensive about Americans. To make up for it, we bought their table a round and told them that we hoped this improved their Canadian experience. We think it did; they reciprocated with a round of tequila for us!
Joannie Rochette had a tremendous and emotional bronze today. We watched it live with Claire at the restaurant. It brought a tear to the eye. The Americans were also touched and the whole place stopped to watch the skate. Joannie's story is much told, and rightly so; people don't need it here; but every story that is on television is more intense even on television, when you are in the Olympic city, feeling the Olympic story, palpable and close.
This had been the day we had been working towards. It exceeded all expectations.
With pride and joy.
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Sausage and Skiis
On Wednesday, we had tickets for the finals of the Ladies' Aerials at Cypress Mountain. It was an evening event, but the travel time meant we had to leave in the mid-afternoon. So we decided to got to German Saxony House, which has been getting good word of mouth on the street.
We got there about 15 minutes before they opened and there was already a line up, but not too long a line up. On the walk over we went through a part of Vancouver we hadn't walked so far. In a park by the beach on English Bay there is a large Inukshuk, which is one of the symbols for these games. Delightfully, someone had hung around its neck a large set of the now iconic Olympic mittens - the red ones from the Bay with the maple leaf on the palm that even Oprah Winfrey is wearing. This is even more appropriate to us, because Kim made mitten strings for her mittens and has been wearing them that way, getting a lot of positive comments as we walk around.
Outside Saxony house is another park, this one with a statue of Robbie Burns. He also had mittens on a string around his neck. Kim is clearly a fashion leader in the statue community.
Others in line at Saxony House told us that the Lions at Lions' Gate Bridge also have mittens.
When Saxony House opened we went in. There were large screen televisions playing Magnum P.I. reruns. No, that was a joke - they were playing the Olympics of course, especially anything in which the Germans were active. It was the food and beer though of which people had talked so we started with a classic grilled German sausage each, Kim's with grilled onions and Paul's with the best saurkraut he has ever tasted. Paul also had a delicious dark German ale.
Paul had a small miscommunication with the German server, and instead of apple pie, he received a plate of an entirely different German delicacy: dark bread covered with, wait for it....bacon fat, and bacon bits, raw onion and gherkin pieces to top it off. The Germans can have it, but it was an experience to try. We have a picture...unappetizing to look at, think about and especially to eat. Eventually Paul got his pie which he liked very much and Kim and Paul shared some pork and saurkraut, which was tasty.
We stood at a table, and ate, and watched the U.S. vs. Switzerland game, and chatted with a few people who came and went to the table. One set of four was a German couple who made friends with the Canadian couple on a Rod Stewart tour in Europe. They were cheerful and we were sad to see them head off quickly to take in other sights, the German regretfully downing the last of his ale.
While we were very excited about the tickets to the Aerials, we were disappointed that we would not be able to watch the hockey semi and that we would miss the speed skating; it all worked out much better than we had hoped.
Eventually we left and caught the bus to the other bus to the Olympic bus to Cypress Mountain. While waiting for the Olympic bus at SFU, we were able to catch the tail end of the long track speed skating and Clara Hughes' bronze medal.
We got to the venue two hours before the event, which was good because we had standing room tickets and were able to get a fairly good position. Since the last time we had been there, Cypress had got some snow, and now looked the absolutely perfect winter scene: big fir trees, mountains and running water breaking through snow and ice.
As we already wrote, we had been feeling a tad of regret that we wouldn't be able to watch the big Canada vs Russia game. When we got to the venue, though, they had a giant T.V. set up on the mountain side, which was intended to show the replays of the aerials, but which they used, while we waited, to show the hockey game. So we stood outside on the side of a mountain and watched hockey with thousands of others. While we watched, three enormous inflated balls (when we say enormous we mean person-sized) were being bounced through the crowd. How cool is that. The world now knows the result of that game, as well as the other Canadian successes of which we received news while we went through our day.
There were no Canadians in the Aerials, but that was, in some ways a good thing. We had a few Australians around us and could cheer with them, but enjoy the wonder of Aerials without the partisan tension of Canadian competition. Aerials are wonderful. They women came off the jumps and flew - they just flew. There were some dramatic falls, though no one was hurt. But mostly, they flew, doing things in the air that defy description and that just aren't fully captured by the magic of TV. We were astounded, and also pleased when an Aussie won gold, to the delight of our neighbours.
By the time we got home it was late, but we stayed up and watched the PVR of the medals won and went to bed satisfied with another wonderful day.
walking in a winter wonderland,
The Entity
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Kim Boara Alexander
We got there about 15 minutes before they opened and there was already a line up, but not too long a line up. On the walk over we went through a part of Vancouver we hadn't walked so far. In a park by the beach on English Bay there is a large Inukshuk, which is one of the symbols for these games. Delightfully, someone had hung around its neck a large set of the now iconic Olympic mittens - the red ones from the Bay with the maple leaf on the palm that even Oprah Winfrey is wearing. This is even more appropriate to us, because Kim made mitten strings for her mittens and has been wearing them that way, getting a lot of positive comments as we walk around.
Outside Saxony house is another park, this one with a statue of Robbie Burns. He also had mittens on a string around his neck. Kim is clearly a fashion leader in the statue community.
Others in line at Saxony House told us that the Lions at Lions' Gate Bridge also have mittens.
When Saxony House opened we went in. There were large screen televisions playing Magnum P.I. reruns. No, that was a joke - they were playing the Olympics of course, especially anything in which the Germans were active. It was the food and beer though of which people had talked so we started with a classic grilled German sausage each, Kim's with grilled onions and Paul's with the best saurkraut he has ever tasted. Paul also had a delicious dark German ale.
Paul had a small miscommunication with the German server, and instead of apple pie, he received a plate of an entirely different German delicacy: dark bread covered with, wait for it....bacon fat, and bacon bits, raw onion and gherkin pieces to top it off. The Germans can have it, but it was an experience to try. We have a picture...unappetizing to look at, think about and especially to eat. Eventually Paul got his pie which he liked very much and Kim and Paul shared some pork and saurkraut, which was tasty.
We stood at a table, and ate, and watched the U.S. vs. Switzerland game, and chatted with a few people who came and went to the table. One set of four was a German couple who made friends with the Canadian couple on a Rod Stewart tour in Europe. They were cheerful and we were sad to see them head off quickly to take in other sights, the German regretfully downing the last of his ale.
While we were very excited about the tickets to the Aerials, we were disappointed that we would not be able to watch the hockey semi and that we would miss the speed skating; it all worked out much better than we had hoped.
Eventually we left and caught the bus to the other bus to the Olympic bus to Cypress Mountain. While waiting for the Olympic bus at SFU, we were able to catch the tail end of the long track speed skating and Clara Hughes' bronze medal.
We got to the venue two hours before the event, which was good because we had standing room tickets and were able to get a fairly good position. Since the last time we had been there, Cypress had got some snow, and now looked the absolutely perfect winter scene: big fir trees, mountains and running water breaking through snow and ice.
As we already wrote, we had been feeling a tad of regret that we wouldn't be able to watch the big Canada vs Russia game. When we got to the venue, though, they had a giant T.V. set up on the mountain side, which was intended to show the replays of the aerials, but which they used, while we waited, to show the hockey game. So we stood outside on the side of a mountain and watched hockey with thousands of others. While we watched, three enormous inflated balls (when we say enormous we mean person-sized) were being bounced through the crowd. How cool is that. The world now knows the result of that game, as well as the other Canadian successes of which we received news while we went through our day.
There were no Canadians in the Aerials, but that was, in some ways a good thing. We had a few Australians around us and could cheer with them, but enjoy the wonder of Aerials without the partisan tension of Canadian competition. Aerials are wonderful. They women came off the jumps and flew - they just flew. There were some dramatic falls, though no one was hurt. But mostly, they flew, doing things in the air that defy description and that just aren't fully captured by the magic of TV. We were astounded, and also pleased when an Aussie won gold, to the delight of our neighbours.
By the time we got home it was late, but we stayed up and watched the PVR of the medals won and went to bed satisfied with another wonderful day.
walking in a winter wonderland,
The Entity
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Kim Boara Alexander
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