Vancouver is officially a changed place.
Wow.
The last 2 weeks have been so unbelievably amazing in this city. I just don’t think words will really explain the effect it has had on our city, the residents and everyone who was here and a part of this wild 2 week long event.
I gotta say, I had no idea what was coming.
None.
It was two weeks of complete, untapped pride and unity. I really did not realize how the spirit of sport would bring everyone together in such a way that would leave us feeling stronger, happier, more confident and more connected to our country then ever before. I now see how completely naïve I was to believe I would get through the Olympics without really being effected. Don’t ask me why I felt that way-that’s a whole other entry! Let’s just say, the hype and politics around it had me a bit turned off, but I can clearly see now that I wasn’t looking at the grand picture.
It has done so much for us. On so many levels. I’ve never in my life seen patriotism like I have in the last 2 weeks. Actually, I seen a lot in the last weeks that I never thought I’d see. Lol But it’s been amazing. Sure, now that it’s all over, things will settle and people will get back to their regular lives, patriotic fever will calm and the financial burden it has left will become the hot topic amongst many, but, I really believe it has all been worth it. We all have a signifigantly stronger sense of pride for our country, our city, and most importantly, the amazing athletes. It brought with it this shared sense of comraderary and left us soaked with pride for Canada…something I never ever imagined. It’s been pretty amazing watching our city go through this insanely huge event and I am so so glad to have been a part of it.
I’ve been working like crazy lately and actually worked through the entire Olympic stretch, so I didnt actually get to see all the events and venues that I would have like to.. I’m also not a big fan of line-ups and they were insanely long everywhere!! lol But, what I did experience, was nothing short of amazing…
I zip-lined across downtown Vancouver. When will I ever get to do that again?
I saw amazing artists perform live shows all for FREE
I saw beautiful and unique art installations everywhere
I witnessed a mesmerizing light show in the sky every single night (which I could control MYSELF from the internet-crazy!)
I listened to people from around the world walk down the streets of Vancouver saying the most wonderful things about our city
I saw people wearing Canadian memorabilia in ways I didn’t think possible
I experienced some pretty crazy adrenaline and emotion over watching athletes perform
I laughed with complete strangers
I bonded with complete strangers
I felt….a lot.
Thank you for bringing out an emotional side of me that I did not know the spirit of sport could do. I really had no idea.
I’ll finish with this super cool clip of the sound of Vancouver erupting when we won hockey gold on the final day of the Olympics….the sound of the proudest city in the world at that one moment in time. Hearing this gave me chills all over and made me so damn proud and happy that I was a part of it.
I’ve probably watched it 20 times because it immediately takes me back to that rush we all felt….it was really an unbelievable feeling. The video ends at 3 minutes, but this sound went on for almost a day in Vancouver. It was amazing!
Skip to 1:20 to hear when Canada wins gold!
ok here’s a few random shots too!
Yes, we are in full spring mode here with Cherry Blossoms, Tulips and Daffodils blooming everywhere!!
The MBF Show at Alberta House was amazing! So glad to finally see him live and meet him too.
Walking down Granville one night we stumbled across a mad crowd of people and noticed Michael Buble giving an interview!
by John Heil
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