February 22, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
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Day 8 of the games...And I've spent the last 4 days recovering from the first 4 days. Not sure if I have it in me to keep up the Olympic pace for 17 days straight, and I still feel like I've barely scratched the surface. Favorites so far include watching the Opening Ceremonies, watching and celebrating moguls gold in Yaletown and the impromptu dancing courtesy of the DJ's showcasing as a part of Made in Vancouver Festival.
Stealing a note from the guys from the buried life (the boys from Victoria BC travelling North America to complete their 'must do before I die' list) I've compiled a list of the things I MUST still do before the Olympics are done:
1. Take advantage of my free Lululemon/YYoga free pass.
2. Spend time exploring the pavilions and fun on Granville Island.
3. Check out Canada's North Pavilion - I've heard it's great!
4. Check out one of the JetSet Crew Parties. They've been doing a great job attracting athletes to Canvas lounge. Would be fun to celebrate with them.
5. Get to the Richmond Ozone and Heineken house and BC street.
6. Ice skate at Robson square or in Richmond.
7. Ziptrek over Robson at BC pavilion (such a great idea - wouldn't it be cool to replace public transit with ziplines!!).
8. Check out a Yaletown livecity show and stay for the end of day fireworks and light show.
9. Check out an athletic event. I've got my eye on women's figure skating tickets - feeling the need to show Joannie Rochette some support this week.
February 14, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
The great thing about jet lag, is that getting up at 6am is not a problem, as you've already been awake for 2 hrs!
Having been tipped off that Arnie Schwarzenegger was going to pass the Olympic torch flame to Seb Coe I set off in the dark with my running shoes to Stanley park. All was quiet until I turned the corner on the waterfront, when I could hear the distant music from the party bus. At least i knew I was heading in the right direction.
The crowds grew, the music got louder and it was still not even 6.30am!
I ran through the crowds to find Seb Coe waiting at the lighthouse, casually sitting on the wall chatting to the press.
And then the Terminator arrived! The crowd went wild. The torch exchange, a hug and Seb Coe was on his way... What an amazing atmosphere!
February 11, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
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They are adorable, they are everywhere you turn, my kids love them, but what the heck are those things? This is the question that is sometimes asked about the Olympic mascots. Out of curiosity (and so I could answer my daughter’s questions) I did a bit of research and found out the following about the mascots and some other BC creatures:
The Mascots:
Miga: a young sea bear (part killer whale, part Kermode bear), who surfs the waves of Tofino in the summer and snowboards Vancouver’s local mountains in the winter.
Sumi: a spirit who lives in the mountains of BC and comes from many different backgrounds (representing the diverse backgrounds of Canadians).
Quatchi: a young hockey loving Sasquatch who comes from the mysterious mountains of Canada.
MukMuk: not an official mascot, but more of a sidekick. Mukmuk is a Vancouver Island marmot that lives in the mountains of Vancouver Island, and is pictured above.
Other Mythical (Non-Mascot) BC Creatures:
Sasquatch (also known as Bigfoot): This creature has allegedly been spotted from the Fraser Valley up to Prince George. While there have been Sasquatch reports all over the world, over half of the reported sightings have happened in BC.
Ogopogo: A lake monster that lies in the Lake Okanagan. Depending on who you ask, it’s part snake, goat and/or horse. Reports have varied on its actual size (from 5m to 25m). There is an average of six Ogopogo sightings a year of this monster.
The Griz: A man with shoulders six feet wide who wears a grizzly bear coat and hat and lives in the mountains near Fernie Alpine Resort. He shoots a giant musket into clouds so powder snow drops from the clouds and covers the resort. In February of each year the town of Fernie hold a festival in his honour.