Tracy’s Olympic Blog – Part 2

I wonder where the skunks go during the day…?

I have never seen so many of these little mystical creatures cross my path as I have since I settled into my flat in the West End of Vancouver. (There is no metaphor here, I truly am talking about those fat, black and white striped, waddling animals). Every evening, I have aimlessly wandered my way back through the residential area near Davie Street and have had to cross intersections in order to give these stinky guys their space. This is no joke; I really am blown away with my random meetings with these skunks. The thought has crossed my mind about where exactly I would sleep if I got a little too close to the back end of one of them. I’m pretty sure my roommate, Sarah would not be pleased if I brought a new aroma back to her one bedroom apartment. And she doesn’t have a balcony, so I’m screwed on that option. Yes, I have put a lot of thought into my great skunk encounters. It is the way of life out here that allows me to ponder useless situations that probably will never happen but are extremely amusing to think up. I have officially fell in love with Vancouver and the mindset it allows me to fall into.

Olympics! Right, the point of this blog and the underlying reason as to why I have found myself currently staring out a Starbucks window, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I really should have sat in a coffee shop that looks out over a brick wall because this is virtually impossible to concentrate on anything but the view, and of course, my skunk adventures.

I have to admit that I have held off writing since I left BC Place after the Opening Ceremonies on Friday. Having to figure out how to put into words what I felt and experienced as a spectator sitting in that stadium might possibly be the most difficult writing feat I have been faced with so far. I don’t think ol’ Webster came up with a word to describe the feeling that I was drowning in throughout that show. Patriotism. Pride. Excitement- none of these can even come close. My face hurt from smiling so widely, my voice was hoarse from cheering so loud, and my eyes were burning from the amount of tears that fell. From team Georgia entering the stadium, to Rick Hansen bringing the flame in on its final leg of the relay, my emotions could not keep up with what my eyes were observing. I really don’t know what else I can say about them. Honestly, I don’t know if that experience has even settled completely. It definitely was a night that will stay permanently locked in my memory forever.

Over the past week, I have busied myself with getting settled into my new living arrangements and the city itself. I may possibly have the best location to rest my head at night in the entire city. It is a perfect stumbling distance off of the main party strips in the downtown core, and it is literally two blocks from the water. I couldn’t be happier. Saturday was insane downtown; the intersection of Robson and Granville was packed until the wee hours of the morning. I walked down to the site of the outdoor torch at around 1:00 a.m. and there were still over 100 people there. One person would start singing Canada’s national anthem and seven blocks worth of voices would simultaneously join in. It was just exhilarating. This city will not sleep until after that flame is extinguished on February 28.

I have only been up to Cypress for a few hours for a quick training session on Wednesday. My first official shift starts tomorrow at the brilliant time of 7:30 a.m. And with a must-see concert tonight being held down on Granville Island, my ‘0-dark-hundred’ wake-up call is going to be awesome. I can’t wait to get up to that hill, though! The first thing I plan on accomplishing is to tell Shaun White to cut his hair. Just kidding, but I have heard rumours that there is a good chance of meeting the king of the half pipe himself. So stoked!

Anyway, this city is calling my name once again. I’m off to track down a big screen on the side of The Bay building to watch the Snowboard Cross medal round. Until next time folks- Go Canada Go!!

~T

snowboarding, and mountain biking and sailing oh my! I love this town for oh so many reasons. This is taken on the west side of Stanley Park on the infamous Seawall.

A view of downtown from Stanley Park. If you look closely near the centre of the frame, the Olympic torch burns proudly next to the International Broadcast Centre.

This is my other roommate, Mezo. She's fat and adorable and extremely comfortable in front of the camera.

Yup, this cat loves life.

A tourist shot of me at BC Place before the Opening Ceremonies. I had the pleasure of experiencing the show with my Dad. It was such an amazing experience.

Canada entering the stadium during the Athlete's parade. A moment I will never, ever forget!

In a 24 hour Subway on Granville Street- this guy had Canada shaved in to the other side of his head. I love it!

A shot of the outside flame at 1:00 a.m. It kind of reminds me of the Fortress from Smallville. Such a fantastic site!