Olympics - 6: Vancouver Victory Medal Ceremony

I am inside BC Place. 5 nights ago, the Opening Ceremonies were held here! We are only using a 1/3 of the stadium...Wow hey? It didn't seem that big when I came here in the spring for the BC Lions game. Behind the screen/stage is the prop from the Opening Ceremonies and the far stage in the distance. I was in bleeder seats. The wall was one row behind me but I didn't care, this was a great experience. I convinced my friend/co-worker to come as well but his seat is over two sections but same high seats.





Celebrate Alberta - each province was highlighted each night of the Victory Ceremonies. Tonight was Alberta and so they were showing pics that make Alberta and then they focused on Alberta Now...



This yahoo came on and and was singing Hip Hop with hoochie dancers who were wearing not so much...very distasteful for an Olympics show...I think anyway. But seriously, this is who you choose to highlight for who represents Alberta now? haha, I thought it was funny.






As we waited we were entertained by Ben Mulroney & Tamara Taggart having an Olympic Trivia contest using the audience to help them choose the right True/False answer. It was fun.



The medal ceremony is about to begin.




Each ceremony begins with the RCMP coming out and raising the Olympic Flag with the Olympic anthem playing. We are to stand as it happens.



This is the first medal ceremony...the crowd was pretty excited and then we realised we should probably save our energy and voices for our own Gold Medal winner! Here she is below:







This is our second Gold Medal and sorry for the blurry photo. I had taken good photos of the other medal ceremonies but for this one, I became a nerd. Not caring about steadiness because I knew I only had a short amount of time to get the photos I want. Yet, they didn't turn out too well. Sorry...



It was so awesome being in BC Place and feeling the spirit of the crowd and of the Canadian Pride as we all sang the National Anthem. I definitely needed more canadian gear to fit in!


Paul Brandt!!! He is a genuine good guy cowboy country singer from Calgary, AB. He sang "Canadian Man" and wore a Team Canada Jersey and waved a huge flag....he then tossed it into the crowd in front of the stage...wish I could have gotten in.




Jonathan and I! He had on his Canadian toque haha. Good times!




Paul Brandt is a great performer and I felt bad that the crowd was kind of lame. He would do and say things to get the crowd involved but it just wasn't happening and then when he did his very last song...everyone stood up and started dancing, looking like they were having a good time. Well, I had a great time, it was so fun! I couldn't wait for my next ceremony which is on Friday with Theory of a Deadman!

After the concert, I was meeting up with a couple of US-ians that one of my friends asked if they could stay at my place for a few days. No problem! haha. They were nice and easygoing and they just arrived in town from Portland. So, not too far away. It was great because I was wondering who I could ask to be my buddy at night when I had to be downtown for these ceremonies and they were already going to be there too. Yay! Blessings all around. Skytrain was the only way to travel and downtown was a sea of people...it was amazing. Go Canada Go!!

Olympics - Day 5

I was downtown by myself tonight, because I had to pick up my three Vancouver Victory Medal Ceremony Tix. Wed. - Paul Brandt, Fri. - Theory of a Deadman & Sat. - Stereophonics! So exciting. There were performers outside of the ice rink at Robson Square. The ice looks nice hey?


Okay, isn't that the cutest ever? Team Canada love...sigh...haha


I wish I felt like using that...I will use this....I will....


Remember my day pics of Granville on Sat - Day 2 - well these are those same art pieces - lit up. So pretty.




Injun Totem Poles represented by these large "lanterns" ...very beautiful hey?



These little lanterns making up "Lantern Forest" were made by tourists, locals, anyone and everyone. There is a tent set up and you can pay 5$ to make one...wasn't interested in paying 5$ but looks pretty...this pic does not do it justice.


That means "Welcome" in french for all you non-foreign language educated people. Our Mascots...very welcoming.


I like this photo. I was taking so many photos, up close, far away, long, upwards, sideways...haha...kind of took a bit because there were always people around. Tourists everywhere...seriously, c'mon people, I'm here. :)




Art on Granville Street. Basically Granville Street is shut down and is only for pedestrian traffic. I was here by myself at night but with all the crowds, I felt completely safe. I left downtown @ 8pm and arrived in New West @ 8:30 and guess what...I walked home by myself up the hill. I didn't want to wait for the bus. Yay, me! Will I do it again, prob not but the Olympics have brought out the not so chicken side of me haha. Also, I have been in all these crowds...and I keep going back for more...Like who am I?

GO CANADA GO!!

2010 Olympics - Day 4

Canada Line - riding it for the first time and here are the exit signs...seriously? We didn't think that the world would know what the word "exit" means? "Way Out" would be easier to understand? haha...so funny...




Ok, so one of the best things about the Olympics, is the free hot chocolate outside of all the skytrain stations! Yummm...I love free and I love Hot Chocolate!



Bell Mobility let you take a picture with the torch. There were 3 guys that took a pic before us and were straddling it...Niki is really holding this with her Mitts and I am only holding her mitts...they have marred my experience...but it looks good hey?





Robson Square!! The place where you can do free ice skating, see free music and/or shows, participate in the free zipline, watch the Mascots skate every day, pick up your event tickets, free van art gallery aka Leonardo Da Vinci exhibit, and a free Laser show. It truly is the place to be! A lot of stuff in such a small area...apparently the courts had to close for two weeks because of the heavy crowds blocking the law courts haha.




These are the Ultimate Swiss Fans! They travelled here for the Olympics and have the best looking Cowbell I have ever seen! They were able to watch Switzerland take gold for Downhill Skiing that night. Wow, well worth the trip! They are sure enjoying the other medals Switzerland has gotten since!





That is how you know we are Canadian...GO CANADA GO! We bought them at a little shop on Granville Island and they were 7$ more than the Bay, but we got size Small! When I went to the Bay later on in the week, there were only Kid size and L-XL left but thankfully there were some that were mislabelled.




Took a quick trip to Switzerland. I am sightseeing and Niki became a villager...haha. The people we asked to take our picture wanted fun poses not stiff ones haha. Awesome.





Of course I kept this photo...funny!!



Our first stop was Granville Island and we arrived just in time to the Francophone area to watch the Vancouver Victory Medal Ceremony be broadcast live showing Alexandre D. get his gold! Our first for Canada! Yay! Good thing I had taken french all those years. I could distinguish the language quite easily but it took a minute to process. Yes, I am still paying off that education haha.

Olympics Day 2 - Downtown Events

Olympic Flame! Go Canada Go!!...Wayne Gretzky was here....



Robson Square


Free Zipline...sooo high.... I didn't do it.



Tropics are here...not too sure what statement is being said by this display but its colorful hey?



Okay, look how awesome the TD Tower is!



This is a cedar longhouse where they are carving Totem Poles...Wow! I love the smell of cedar.



Pacific Centre - Igloo entrance...Can you see the Canadian Spirit?



Georgia & Granville...a little crowded...



These guys were amazing to watch. They were trying to kick the bag by keeping one hand on the ground. Just performing on Granville.



We were hungry and I saw the restaurant and we had to try it. I told Amy that there will be insults but she was okay with trying it out. I got the brunt of the insults because I made a "complaint"...it was all in good fun but they did bring me the wrong type of bread. Haha. Thankfully, we were sitting beside some regulars so they were insulting the servers as well because they know them well. It was pretty good food, except their English sausage was not so english but a regular breakfast sausage..yuk! Needless to say that they had a comment for the reason why I didn't finish the 2nd one. This restaurant is located on Davie Street...need I say more...hahaha.





Just sippin' my hot cocoa and relaxin'


Yaletown - 2010 Yahoo FANcouver site. Looks like a log cabin, you get free hot chocolate, free pen, light and mints from Rogers, apple computers are set up so that you can check your email and stuff and charging stations inside, plus they took your photos and posted them on the wall...so awesome!



Robson & block before Hamilton - this board is set up with Olympic messages...I was about to sign something and then I thought of all the cooties on the markers...we are in Vancouver...Host to SwineFlu 2009...taking a picture was a good compromise.






Beautiful scenes and photo ops! Granville street is where it is at! Nighttime would be the best time to see everything lit....that'll be Monday night's adventure!

GO CANADA GO!