As we said in our last blog entry, we went to watch curling yesterday. Being at the venue is VERY different from watching on TV.
First of all, you get the chance to watch the actual "curl" of the rock. It was interesting to see Kevin Martin start from the left side of the ice in order to curl the rock to the button. On TV, they show the curler, then cut to the rock at the end of the ice. Here, we could just follow the rock.
Secondly, the crowd was loud and knowledgeable. At one point there was a choice between calls for the Kevin Martin rink. The crowd started chanting "go for the eight, go for the eight!" It was a hard and aggressive shot, but they went for it. They didn't make the shot, but won the match anyhow.
Third, watching four matches at once is amazing.
We're not curlers but it was really fun and educational.
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Witnessing History...again
After last night's blog entry Virtue and Moir won gold. While neither of us pretends to understand ice dancing, we both appreciated the beauty of the programme and the promise of the young Canadian couple winning gold. Go-Canada-Go!!!!!
Today we had tickets to curling. The venue was about 5.5 kilometres from our condo so we decided to walk and see some of Vancouver. There were genuine mansions on the way that were fun to look at. What stands out about the walk though was the moment walking along Broadway when a small child, maybe 5 - 7 years old, called out to Paul as we walked by, "will you trade with me?" He had noticed the pins on Paul's IIHF federation lanyard. A trade was made; it was a small Oylmpic moment that was touching out of all proportion if you weren't there.
We were a little concerned that we didn't have the knowledge base to follow the today's curling action, but we heard an announcement during figure skating that you could buy closed circuit radios for curling, sledge hockey and figure skating, so we made a beeline to the concession stand at curling and sure enough radios were for sale. Thank goodness for the radios or else we would have been helplessly lost trying to follow four sheets of curling action. "Hack Radio", as it was called, was not all we'd hoped--not an in depth analysis of strategy or tactics--but three "buds" who seemed to have had a few before the match. Think your average morning radio show with a couple of drinks at a curling match. Fun, nonetheless.
We called this blog entry "witnessing history" because we were there for the first time that any curling team has ever gone undefeated in round robin play---that team is CANADA and it was awesome.
The curling venue was managed as expected--catering to an older and quite Scottish crowd. There were Mounties in full dress uniform posing with spectators. The concessions included "Cornish Pasties". The man sitting to the left of Kim was older, born in Scotland, moved to Canada later in life and played curling...his observations were in many respects more insightful than those of "Hack Radio".
Curling ended just after the Canada v. Germany game started. No chance of getting into Saxony House today, so we didn't even try. We went to what we thought was a local pub, the "Smoking Dog" pub. It turned out that the food was WAY better than any pub food we are used to. It had perhaps the best french onion soup Kim has ever had outside of Quebec. Although the food was excellent, the atmosphere was casual and we were able to watch what remained of the hockey game and cheer freely.
While we were out watching the curling Ashley McIvor won gold for Canada. Awesome. While we missed the competition, we saw the medal ceremony live. While we were at the Smoking Dog Ashley McIvor received her gold...we stood, we sang and we enjoyed. We wish we could say others stood and sang with us, but mostly they watched. None frowned though, and other tables smiled while we sang of told us we had done well when it was over. And, by the way, in an aside to Sports Illustrated, Ms McIvor is WAY hotter than Ms Vonn.
We got home and watched the women's short programme in figure skating. What a story: Joannie Rochette lost her mother tragically and unexpectedly in the week before the Olympics. Kim, as someone who lost a parent when she least expected it, was particularly affected by the story. Joannie skated awesomely: third after the short program. What an amazing accomplishment.
Tomorrow we will try to get into Saxony House before heading to the women's aerials at Cypress. There are no Canadian women in the finals tomorrow, so we'll just enjoy the show; flying people are always entertaining.
We still can't believe we're here.
Wow.
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Today we had tickets to curling. The venue was about 5.5 kilometres from our condo so we decided to walk and see some of Vancouver. There were genuine mansions on the way that were fun to look at. What stands out about the walk though was the moment walking along Broadway when a small child, maybe 5 - 7 years old, called out to Paul as we walked by, "will you trade with me?" He had noticed the pins on Paul's IIHF federation lanyard. A trade was made; it was a small Oylmpic moment that was touching out of all proportion if you weren't there.
We were a little concerned that we didn't have the knowledge base to follow the today's curling action, but we heard an announcement during figure skating that you could buy closed circuit radios for curling, sledge hockey and figure skating, so we made a beeline to the concession stand at curling and sure enough radios were for sale. Thank goodness for the radios or else we would have been helplessly lost trying to follow four sheets of curling action. "Hack Radio", as it was called, was not all we'd hoped--not an in depth analysis of strategy or tactics--but three "buds" who seemed to have had a few before the match. Think your average morning radio show with a couple of drinks at a curling match. Fun, nonetheless.
We called this blog entry "witnessing history" because we were there for the first time that any curling team has ever gone undefeated in round robin play---that team is CANADA and it was awesome.
The curling venue was managed as expected--catering to an older and quite Scottish crowd. There were Mounties in full dress uniform posing with spectators. The concessions included "Cornish Pasties". The man sitting to the left of Kim was older, born in Scotland, moved to Canada later in life and played curling...his observations were in many respects more insightful than those of "Hack Radio".
Curling ended just after the Canada v. Germany game started. No chance of getting into Saxony House today, so we didn't even try. We went to what we thought was a local pub, the "Smoking Dog" pub. It turned out that the food was WAY better than any pub food we are used to. It had perhaps the best french onion soup Kim has ever had outside of Quebec. Although the food was excellent, the atmosphere was casual and we were able to watch what remained of the hockey game and cheer freely.
While we were out watching the curling Ashley McIvor won gold for Canada. Awesome. While we missed the competition, we saw the medal ceremony live. While we were at the Smoking Dog Ashley McIvor received her gold...we stood, we sang and we enjoyed. We wish we could say others stood and sang with us, but mostly they watched. None frowned though, and other tables smiled while we sang of told us we had done well when it was over. And, by the way, in an aside to Sports Illustrated, Ms McIvor is WAY hotter than Ms Vonn.
We got home and watched the women's short programme in figure skating. What a story: Joannie Rochette lost her mother tragically and unexpectedly in the week before the Olympics. Kim, as someone who lost a parent when she least expected it, was particularly affected by the story. Joannie skated awesomely: third after the short program. What an amazing accomplishment.
Tomorrow we will try to get into Saxony House before heading to the women's aerials at Cypress. There are no Canadian women in the finals tomorrow, so we'll just enjoy the show; flying people are always entertaining.
We still can't believe we're here.
Wow.
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Monday, February 22, 2010
Hockey Day in Vancouver
We had tickets to the U.S. v. Sweden women's semi final in hockey today. It was a bit of a scouting mission to see who would play against Canada in the gold medal game. Remember, we met five members of the U.S. team a few days back and had genuinely wished them luck against Sweden. It turned out that they didn't need our luck--the American team was very good and won a decisive victory. We couldn't help but cheer a bit for Sweden-not because we wanted them to win but because we both have a soft spot for the underdog and a deeply held belief in the truth of Cinderella stories.
The U.S. game ended at about 2:30pm and there was no chance of finding a good spot to watch the Canada v. Finland semi final so we went back to the condo and watched from the comfort of our couch. It was actually a welcome break, particularly for Kim whose lungs reacted very badly to the ubiquitous pot smoke, particularly in the porta-potties at LiveCity yesterday. She's still coughing.
Canada's game was a good one. It seemed that the Finns played better than the Swedes did against the U.S. It remains to be seen what will happen in the final.
We are now watching the ice dancing after enjoying a home-cooked meal prepared by Paul.
We have more events tomorrow.
Until tomorrow,
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
The U.S. game ended at about 2:30pm and there was no chance of finding a good spot to watch the Canada v. Finland semi final so we went back to the condo and watched from the comfort of our couch. It was actually a welcome break, particularly for Kim whose lungs reacted very badly to the ubiquitous pot smoke, particularly in the porta-potties at LiveCity yesterday. She's still coughing.
Canada's game was a good one. It seemed that the Finns played better than the Swedes did against the U.S. It remains to be seen what will happen in the final.
We are now watching the ice dancing after enjoying a home-cooked meal prepared by Paul.
We have more events tomorrow.
Until tomorrow,
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
A Good Day With Mixed Results
Today we knew that Canada was playing the U.S. in hockey. We had no event tickets, so we planned to leave early enough to get a seat at Live City downtown to watch. The game didn't start until 4:40 p.m. but we knew that competition for tables at Live City would be almost as fierce as competition on the ice.
We got in at about 12:30 and the place was packed. Kim had a sharp eye and noticed that, while most of the tables were clearly occupied by other people there early for the game, one table had a family with small children. She rightly reasoned that they would not stay long, and, after helping them with directions to the Olympic torch, we got the table. It was the last table to come available before the game ended.
It was a large table, though, and others joined us. Here we again had the luck that has followed us most of these games. We were joined by a foursome of three ladies and one gentleman. They were our age and older, without being old; they were drinkers without being foolish; They were, of course, hockey fans. They were, in short, perfectly suited to be our company for the day. And delightful companions they were.
While waiting for the game, we watched speed skating (a silver for Canada) and curling (Canada won another round robin match), and we talked. The three ladies were all in education and the fellow was a city councilor and had worked in security and catering, we think. He was one of those guys who seemed to know everyone and was constantly introducing us to people like the the security staff and the guy in charge of catering the pavillion.
How can we describe watching the game? Canadians across the country must have gathered to watch, but watching with hundreds of Canadians (and four or five Americans who were good naturedly reviled), in Vancouver, was a whole other thing. It was as close to being at the game as you could get without actually being at the game. At one point, the crowd started taunting Ryan Miller as though he could hear them. Never has the magic of television been more clear. We were completely caught up. We knew that it was not just those in that pavillion watching together, but it was the whole country - but we knew we were at the centre of that audience. If the people at the game were the heart of Canada for the time the game lasted, we felt the aorta and other main blood vessels, carrying the pulse of the game outwards from the arena to the country. If you weren't there, that metaphore seems enormously overblown. We were there; and it isn't.
Of course, the result was not what Canada wanted. But leaving the pavilion and walking out into Vancouver, there was none of the resigned sad sack feeling that accompanies so many, for instance, Maple Leaf games. The patriotic fervor of the crowds on Robson St. and throughout the city, was undiminished. The enthusiasm seems now, genuinely to be for Canada, and not for any success of failure of our team in this or that game or event.
As an aside, after days of essentially non-stop crowd partying on Robson street, the street itself is ... clean. Yes, clean. There is no litter to be seen and no sign that this isn't day 1 of celebration, rather than day 11. We don't know how this is possible, but it is.
Now, a couple of days ago we mistakenly obtained two tickets to the 5th/6th place game for women's hockey tomorrow with Switzerland and Russia. We can't use them, because we will, somewhere, be watching the semi with the Canadian women's team. So, we went to Swiss house, which is set up essentially as a restaurant, and Kim found a couple of Swiss who were delighted to go. We hope they will enjoy the game and then go home and tell everyone how nice Canadians are. We enjoyed fondue and B.C. wine made by a Swiss and then went home to bed.
With true patriot love,
The Entity
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Kimberly Boara Alexander
We got in at about 12:30 and the place was packed. Kim had a sharp eye and noticed that, while most of the tables were clearly occupied by other people there early for the game, one table had a family with small children. She rightly reasoned that they would not stay long, and, after helping them with directions to the Olympic torch, we got the table. It was the last table to come available before the game ended.
It was a large table, though, and others joined us. Here we again had the luck that has followed us most of these games. We were joined by a foursome of three ladies and one gentleman. They were our age and older, without being old; they were drinkers without being foolish; They were, of course, hockey fans. They were, in short, perfectly suited to be our company for the day. And delightful companions they were.
While waiting for the game, we watched speed skating (a silver for Canada) and curling (Canada won another round robin match), and we talked. The three ladies were all in education and the fellow was a city councilor and had worked in security and catering, we think. He was one of those guys who seemed to know everyone and was constantly introducing us to people like the the security staff and the guy in charge of catering the pavillion.
How can we describe watching the game? Canadians across the country must have gathered to watch, but watching with hundreds of Canadians (and four or five Americans who were good naturedly reviled), in Vancouver, was a whole other thing. It was as close to being at the game as you could get without actually being at the game. At one point, the crowd started taunting Ryan Miller as though he could hear them. Never has the magic of television been more clear. We were completely caught up. We knew that it was not just those in that pavillion watching together, but it was the whole country - but we knew we were at the centre of that audience. If the people at the game were the heart of Canada for the time the game lasted, we felt the aorta and other main blood vessels, carrying the pulse of the game outwards from the arena to the country. If you weren't there, that metaphore seems enormously overblown. We were there; and it isn't.
Of course, the result was not what Canada wanted. But leaving the pavilion and walking out into Vancouver, there was none of the resigned sad sack feeling that accompanies so many, for instance, Maple Leaf games. The patriotic fervor of the crowds on Robson St. and throughout the city, was undiminished. The enthusiasm seems now, genuinely to be for Canada, and not for any success of failure of our team in this or that game or event.
As an aside, after days of essentially non-stop crowd partying on Robson street, the street itself is ... clean. Yes, clean. There is no litter to be seen and no sign that this isn't day 1 of celebration, rather than day 11. We don't know how this is possible, but it is.
Now, a couple of days ago we mistakenly obtained two tickets to the 5th/6th place game for women's hockey tomorrow with Switzerland and Russia. We can't use them, because we will, somewhere, be watching the semi with the Canadian women's team. So, we went to Swiss house, which is set up essentially as a restaurant, and Kim found a couple of Swiss who were delighted to go. We hope they will enjoy the game and then go home and tell everyone how nice Canadians are. We enjoyed fondue and B.C. wine made by a Swiss and then went home to bed.
With true patriot love,
The Entity
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Kimberly Boara Alexander
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Heartbreak, joy and Missed Opportunities
Even during the Olympics, the mundane must intrude, so we spent some time this morning doing laundry. A bit later than usual, therefore, we sallied forth.
It was a hard day for Canadian Olympic athletes and sitting with hundreds of fellow Olympic watchers at LiveCity Downtown we felt we took part in the disappointment. It's amazing to think that we can feel that someone has "underachieved" by coming in only 4th or 5th in the world in short track speed skating. Really, it's not about underachievement it's about the moment lost. For the fans its about anticipation unrealized; for the athletes its about years of training and sacrifices coming down to one race with the outcome determined by tenths or one hundredths of a second.
This has to be compared with the joy that comes from success. They played the medal ceremonies at LiveCity and we saw John Montgomery receive his gold. Everyone stood up and sang the anthem loudly and proudly. Despite the disappointing results today, the Canadian pride was not dampened in the least. The city is like Ottawa on Canada Day, except it's every day. After watching the last curling match of the day (a win for Canada!), we walked through the throngs on Robson St. It's packed and the energy is incredible. People are wearing the colours, are wrapped in flags and "Oh Canada" breaks out spontaneously and constantly. As another example, as we walked home, three young men saw Paul, decked in Canada jacket, scarf and hat, and yelled "Canada! We love you man!" They then swarmed Paul with a group hug. Yes, he checked and he still had his wallet after - it was exactly the spontaneous, patriotic coming together it seemed.
The crowds are large enough that one fears that it may become unruly--stampedes, riots, etc. However, the mood is festive while somehow remaining orderly. That being said, you can't walk very far without smelling marijuana which is being smoked openly on the streets.
On our walk home from LiveCity we watched the light show over English Bay and the fireworks over Canada Place.
We were supposed to meet my cousin, Linda, for dinner. Unfortunately, the timing didn't really work out. I guess that's just an excuse for us to come out west again soon to call in that rain cheque.
Tomorrow is a big day for Canadian competitors. While we sleep well tonight no doubt those athletes will be anxiously awaiting their big day. We will be there for them tomorrow to celebrate their achievements and, if necessary, commiserate with their disappointments. Throughout we will revel in being Canadians.
We stand on guard for thee,
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
It was a hard day for Canadian Olympic athletes and sitting with hundreds of fellow Olympic watchers at LiveCity Downtown we felt we took part in the disappointment. It's amazing to think that we can feel that someone has "underachieved" by coming in only 4th or 5th in the world in short track speed skating. Really, it's not about underachievement it's about the moment lost. For the fans its about anticipation unrealized; for the athletes its about years of training and sacrifices coming down to one race with the outcome determined by tenths or one hundredths of a second.
This has to be compared with the joy that comes from success. They played the medal ceremonies at LiveCity and we saw John Montgomery receive his gold. Everyone stood up and sang the anthem loudly and proudly. Despite the disappointing results today, the Canadian pride was not dampened in the least. The city is like Ottawa on Canada Day, except it's every day. After watching the last curling match of the day (a win for Canada!), we walked through the throngs on Robson St. It's packed and the energy is incredible. People are wearing the colours, are wrapped in flags and "Oh Canada" breaks out spontaneously and constantly. As another example, as we walked home, three young men saw Paul, decked in Canada jacket, scarf and hat, and yelled "Canada! We love you man!" They then swarmed Paul with a group hug. Yes, he checked and he still had his wallet after - it was exactly the spontaneous, patriotic coming together it seemed.
The crowds are large enough that one fears that it may become unruly--stampedes, riots, etc. However, the mood is festive while somehow remaining orderly. That being said, you can't walk very far without smelling marijuana which is being smoked openly on the streets.
On our walk home from LiveCity we watched the light show over English Bay and the fireworks over Canada Place.
We were supposed to meet my cousin, Linda, for dinner. Unfortunately, the timing didn't really work out. I guess that's just an excuse for us to come out west again soon to call in that rain cheque.
Tomorrow is a big day for Canadian competitors. While we sleep well tonight no doubt those athletes will be anxiously awaiting their big day. We will be there for them tomorrow to celebrate their achievements and, if necessary, commiserate with their disappointments. Throughout we will revel in being Canadians.
We stand on guard for thee,
The Entity
Kim Boara Alexander
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Saturday, February 20, 2010
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
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
Friday, February 19, 2010
Road Trip
Today was our first event outside of the reach of transit - Ladies' Half Pipe Snowboard. We got up earlier than we have been and took two transit buses out to Simon Fraser University, where we caught an Olympic Bus Network bus to Cypress Mountain. There was no wait for the bus and the scenery on the ride was beautiful.
There was virtually no wait at security, but oddly they decided not to confiscate an open bottle of water in Paul's satchel. After climbing a lot of stairs we arrived at out seats. We were lucky to have seats, especially since the standing room tickets had been canceled because the standing area had become unsafe.
We were surrounded by Americans. Interestingly a lot of them said that they weren't wearing American Olympic gear because they still felt that the U.S. was disliked abroad and they didn't want to deal with the resentment. Paul took the opportunity to make them feel welcome by giving the American behind him one of the pins Paul had bought the night before for the man's daughter who traded pins at youth events. He seemed surprised and genuinely grateful.
The day was warmer than it had any business being. We knew that the weather at Cypress was the warmest in 100 years, but there were people bare chested (men only), and Kim was comfortable in just a tank top. The sun was blazing down on us very intensely. Kim even borrowed sun block from the woman next to her, who was the massage therapist for a number of the American snowboarders we were watching today.
Between 60 qualifying runs (each of 30 boarders got two runs), a break, 24 semi-final runs, a break, and 12 final runs, the event lasted the whole day and was more fun than you could shake a stick at. Snowboarders have a sense of hummour and comraderie that other sports often lack. You don't see figure skaters, for instance, bust out a break dancing move and a grin while waiting for their scores. The sport also has the drama of big tricks performed in the air and falls that happen when the big tricks don't work.
It also has its risks. One boarder, on a training run before the semi, had what looked like an ordinary fall, but just didn't get up. It took a while for the hosts/announcers to realize what was going on and there was a surreal moment when we were being asked to "make some noise" while half a dozen people, including medics, clustered around a still form on the snow. The spectre of the dead luger hovered. The fallen boarder was removed on a stretcher and was unable to compete. We hope that she will be ok, apart from the disappointment of missing her event.
Once the sun went down behind the mountains, things actually got chilly and we went from late spring to winter, albeit a mild winter. The final was exciting, and while Canadians didn't medal, one, Mercedes Nichol we think was the name, did better than she was expected to, and the boarders were so likable you found yourself drawn into their attitude and cheering a good run from anyone and consoling a fall regardless of the origin of the boarder.
After the Olympic bus, another bus, two trains and a walk home we ordered pizza and are now watching recorded Olympic coverage. We rejoice over Canada's third gold and are pleased as well, for the sake of the Dutch we spoke to yesterday, to hear that the Netherlands earned a silver. We are dismayed that Canada needed a shootout to beat the Swiss.
Tomorrow is the first of a few days without events and we look forward to the time to investigate some national houses and other aspects of this Olympic city. Vij's anyone?
With memories of sun and snow,
The Entity
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Kim Boara Alexander
There was virtually no wait at security, but oddly they decided not to confiscate an open bottle of water in Paul's satchel. After climbing a lot of stairs we arrived at out seats. We were lucky to have seats, especially since the standing room tickets had been canceled because the standing area had become unsafe.
We were surrounded by Americans. Interestingly a lot of them said that they weren't wearing American Olympic gear because they still felt that the U.S. was disliked abroad and they didn't want to deal with the resentment. Paul took the opportunity to make them feel welcome by giving the American behind him one of the pins Paul had bought the night before for the man's daughter who traded pins at youth events. He seemed surprised and genuinely grateful.
The day was warmer than it had any business being. We knew that the weather at Cypress was the warmest in 100 years, but there were people bare chested (men only), and Kim was comfortable in just a tank top. The sun was blazing down on us very intensely. Kim even borrowed sun block from the woman next to her, who was the massage therapist for a number of the American snowboarders we were watching today.
Between 60 qualifying runs (each of 30 boarders got two runs), a break, 24 semi-final runs, a break, and 12 final runs, the event lasted the whole day and was more fun than you could shake a stick at. Snowboarders have a sense of hummour and comraderie that other sports often lack. You don't see figure skaters, for instance, bust out a break dancing move and a grin while waiting for their scores. The sport also has the drama of big tricks performed in the air and falls that happen when the big tricks don't work.
It also has its risks. One boarder, on a training run before the semi, had what looked like an ordinary fall, but just didn't get up. It took a while for the hosts/announcers to realize what was going on and there was a surreal moment when we were being asked to "make some noise" while half a dozen people, including medics, clustered around a still form on the snow. The spectre of the dead luger hovered. The fallen boarder was removed on a stretcher and was unable to compete. We hope that she will be ok, apart from the disappointment of missing her event.
Once the sun went down behind the mountains, things actually got chilly and we went from late spring to winter, albeit a mild winter. The final was exciting, and while Canadians didn't medal, one, Mercedes Nichol we think was the name, did better than she was expected to, and the boarders were so likable you found yourself drawn into their attitude and cheering a good run from anyone and consoling a fall regardless of the origin of the boarder.
After the Olympic bus, another bus, two trains and a walk home we ordered pizza and are now watching recorded Olympic coverage. We rejoice over Canada's third gold and are pleased as well, for the sake of the Dutch we spoke to yesterday, to hear that the Netherlands earned a silver. We are dismayed that Canada needed a shootout to beat the Swiss.
Tomorrow is the first of a few days without events and we look forward to the time to investigate some national houses and other aspects of this Olympic city. Vij's anyone?
With memories of sun and snow,
The Entity
Paul McCulloch Alexander
Kim Boara Alexander
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