January 25, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Train
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Well, I can hear the new Streetcar's friendly, yet excessive ding-ding-dinging from my bed, so I decided to go and make friends with it.
It's free. When stuff that you would expect to pay for is free, it usually means it sucks. Gladly, the jolly little Streetcars do not. They are a little bit of Europe (Brussels to be exact) connecting
Granville Island frolicking with Olympic Village Station transit.
Cool Things About It: -
Worldly: English is the 3rd language on its interior signs.
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Euro-Slender: It's skinny, but with cleverly accommodating bag storage potential. Like a Parisian woman back from the shops.
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In/Out Privileges: Pressing its circular electronic door buttons WILL elicit Euro-backpacking flashbacks* (use at your own risk.)
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Frequent, too frequent: For all you midnight cheese & sausage buyers...they run 6am to 12:30am every 6-10 mins. Ha!
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Retro a-go-go: It's a trial to assess permenantly bringing back the good ole days of this very green transit solution.
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Friendly: Already proven by San Francisco, people riding in streetcars are in good moods.
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Free: Yeah, have I mentioned the free part?
So choo-choo up before the train's final departure back over the Atlantic folks.
November 03, 2009 | 2010 Olympics >
Victoria, Festivals & Events
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On Friday October 30, 2009, I was in Victoria to watch the start of the Olympic Torch Relay. School children dressed in red and white
holding Canadian and Olympic flags created corridors to the stage and were greeted by the Olympic
mascots - Miga and Quatchy. Around me were all sorts of people: couples, families, business people, and international students all waiting with excitement. As the TV cameras scanned the crowd, people cheered if they saw themselves on the big screen that was set up next to the stage. The big screen also entertained us with videos from the Vanocouver 2010 website - "Meet the Vancouver 2010 Mascots" and the "Lights Will Guide You Home" video which always gets me teary-eyed.
Anyways, there was great excitement amongst the crowd as everyone watched the flame latern as it made
its way from the aboriginal boat in the harbour to the stage in front
of the Parliment Buildings. Welcome speeches were made and then it was time to light the Celebration Cauldron. The crowd held their breaths as Darlene Poole and John Furlong had a little bit of troubles lighting the cauldron - "oooe-ing" and "ahh-ing" in disappointment when the flame didn't take. Eventually the cauldron was lit and everyone cheered with excitement. Simon Whitfield and Catriona Le May Doan lit the first torch from the cauldron and then began the leg of the relay through the crowds.
October 21, 2009 | 2010 Olympics >
Richmond, Attractions
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Visit the 2010 Winter Games long track speed skating venue before the Games! We visited on a rainy Saturday for a ride on the Canada Line and to see this magnificent building. We were able to stand right beside the starter, a body length from the best skaters Canada has on offer.
I kept starting up at the ceiling. It's intriguing. The wooden convex roof is made of small convex layers. Yeah - you'll just have to see it for yourself!
There are public skating sessions available, an opportunity to shot hoops, and a gym. It's well and truely open for use. Even good for plane spotters. It's North Shore mountain view behind the airport and Fraser River is worth the $2.50 Canada Line fare alone.