There is something strangely true about the Olympics being able to bring together the
world that you really have to be there to experience. ‘Bringing the World Together’
seems like a cliché they say on TV to play on your emotions. But out at the Olympics its not; and its almost so weird that you don’t believe it. What I mean by the world coming together isn’t one particular thing. It’s more than the athletes competing for medals or the fans sitting together or everyone on getting along on the street. It’s a moment. The Olympicsis like that, its a pause in real life that is an extended moment that lasts 2 weeks. The best part of the trip for me wasn’t the events, the condo, the food, or the parties. It was the collection of moments that I got to experience from those medians of interaction. The best part was simply People.
It was all the people that I met while standing in line (which sometimes long lines
were inevitable), that helped pass the time while you waited to get into the pavilions or to see the Olympic flame. It was the excitement of being there and a genuine interest of where are you from? What have you seen? What have you thought of the events? Of Vancouver? Of Canada?
It was the Czech fans from Vancouver who recommended a float plan trip while we chatted on a bus ride back from Whistler that led to Dina and I having a great fly
around the city.
It was the woman who put my gloves on the counter in the ladies washroom so I
would find them after I left them in there, and then the other lady who pointed them out to me as I waited in line to re-track my steps back to the stall.
It was the two young girls who noticed that I dropped a victory ceremony ticket out of
my pocket as I got out a map, who ran down the street to give it back to me.
It was the group of Vancouver kids I got to party with who got down on the dance floor to kick it to an awesome Ska band at Saskatchewan house.
It was the group of kids who were wild about NASA and wanted to trade their Olympic pins for my nerdy Shuttle and Station pins.
It was the warmth of the condo rental people who were so excited for us to be visiting
.It was the curling fans who shared their sports knowledge with Dina and I.
It was the Finns, Swiss, and Quebec people who rocked it out at the dance party ove
r at the Swiss house (I now have a new friend in Helsinki who has a couch to stay on).
It was the locals we stood in line with waiting to get beer as we contributed to the
need to fly in 300 more barrels of beer as they almost ran out a week early at the German House.
It was the people handing out free coffee and hot chocolate at the bus lines to warm us up before we took off for the mountains.
It was 25,000 volunteers from around the world in the turquoise-blue coats who made these and the Para-Olympic games possible. Thank you!
It was the Belarusian kid from California who was flying back home at the airport bar who shared all his crazy times.
It was the people in the streets we met running around and cheering for the Canadian wins with their flag capes, high fives, and Go Canada excitement.
It was the guys wearing Canadian flags giving the USA fans wearing the American flag a hug on the streets after the USA vs Canada gold medal game.
It was the fans cheering for a great run at the ladies freestyle moguls or the half-pipe. Nationality didn’t matter, only the performance in excellence did.
Everyone wanted to share your experience and feel the moment too. The power of the world brought together as one is something that is real. I heart Vancouver for its spirit and most of all, its people. That was one heck of an Olympic Games, one amazing party, and I’m so glad I went. Way to go Canada!
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