Pre-Olympic Shift #1

Okay, so first off, I have to tell you that my Olympics post are by and large going to be sans photos, because we are not permitted to take cameras into the venues, so mine sits at home. I will be trying to get out and visit some of the free entertainment sites on my days off and hopefully those days will yield some photos.

Yesterday was a fabulous day. Unfortunately, I can't share any of the details, as it's TOP SECRET but I did meet some great people-the team I will be working with. I am super excited and having a very good time.

I also did a test run commute via a route I've never taken before. I took the new Canada Line. What an odd thing it is to come off the train on that line and take three escalators to arrive back at the surface. I didn't realize I was that far underground and I found it a bit disconcerting. Happily, there is a lovely Starbuck's right outside that station. I say lovely because there are cobble stones leading up to the door and quite a nice patio area outside.

It's rather strange to walk the streets in that area of town and the roads are deserted. They've shut down the streets in and around the Stadium to all traffic except Olympic traffic. Vancouver is such a busy city, so it's odd not to have a ton of vehicles roaring by.

One thing I can share is that last night I was walking along the sea wall, across the water from the athletes' village. I looked across False Creek and some of the suites in the village had their lights on and I could see huge Canadian flags hanging on the walls. I stood there for a long moment taking it all in and my eyes filled with tears. It was very moving.



When I was waiting for the bus to head into the city, some woman drove by, rolled the window down and was waving and "WOOHOO!"-ing me. *laughs* I guess I'm the first blue jacket she's seen in our neighbourhood. The excitement is building. I can feel it.



I need more Kleenex.