World, this is what awaits you
In only 17 days, all eyes are going to be on Vancouver as the torch rolls into town and the Winter Olympics begin.
There’s a very subtle buzz that I’m starting to feel as I walk around downtown, that goes beyond the plush Migas and Quatchis and red Olympic mittens in the shop windows.
It’s creeping into conversations (“Are you staying in town for the Olympics?” “Is your office letting you work from home or do you have to drive in at 6am?”) and every so often, I see some crazy line up snaking around a city block which turns out to be people waiting for Olympic pins (pins? seriously?!?) or some kind of tickets.
For me, the spirit has been slowly building since my audition last summer to participate in the Opening and Closing ceremonies and since rehearsals started a few weeks ago it’s only ramped up exponentially. Oops, did I not mention I got in? I did! But I can’t tell you more because they’ll kill me. Not even joking. How’s that for a teaser?
All I can say is that I’ve been proud to call Vancouver my home for the past three years and now I’m even prouder to welcome you all to it very soon.
Here’s a taste of what you can expect from the most beautiful city in the world, by way of an absolutely breathtaking time lapse HD video.
(Hat-tip to @jordanbehan for the link.)
When the Olympics start, will you be watching?
My name is Kasia Fink and nothing makes me happier than finding goodness. This is a collection of my findings... I mean, finkings.
That video is beautiful, Kasia! Never been to Vancouver but that is definitely enticing.
Yay!!! I’m terribly excited to watch now, I can be all ‘I know that girl’ :)
I participated in the Sydney Australia 2000 Olympic Opening Ceremonies… So I know all about the hush hush of planning!!! It’s all so very exciting to be part of such a grand moment to welcome athletes and nations coming together!!! I’m very excited for you!
Make sure you rack up on pins to exchange with others in the Olympic Village (Unless it was just a “thing” in Australia! They had day one etc Olympic pins).
Oh my gosh I am getting chills just remembering the whole thing!!!
I’ll probably watch the Opening Ceremonies since it has a special place in my memory… But not the closing ceremonies. It’s just so sad to see it all end!
Enjoy the time! It’s incredible! =o)
That’s so cool that you are going to be part of the ceremonies! And it will be super exciting to tell your baby boy that he was there too.
Ooh Congrats on being accepted! I’ll be celebrating along with the rest of Vancouver. I’ve got my mitts on and my Canadian pride is overflowing :)
I love love love the Olympics and find myself watching even the most obscure events. While I’m anticipating the Olympics taking up most of my DVR, I’ll be thinking of you and your Vancouverites! Have fun and Congrats!
Congrats on getting chosen! I bet you are one of the only pregnant women there – that will make it easy to spot you, yes?!? How is the baby liking rehearsals?
I’ve been wondering if you got in or not… and if you were able to participate with your pregnancy? I’m SO EXCITED you made it in :) CONGRATS!
That is amazing! I’ve never been to Vancouver, but it’s on my list. You’re a friggin’ rockstar. I will 100% be watching. :)
Here comes negative Nelly…
I voted a big, fat no on the Olympics sweeping through Vancouver because I simply don’t think we’re ready to successfully host such an event. We have completely slashed funding for social programs, no more provincial grants for students, festivals have been canceled due to lack of funding. Education and healthcare has suffered significant decreases in funding and support. Not to mention all of the roads we’re building through land stolen from the Natives. Huge multi-national companies like Coca-Cola and Samsung will bring in millions and millions in profits while locals are trying to fight their way on to public transit after 2 hours of waiting on the platform for a train.
*Sigh*
@K – Very cool – thanks for sharing!
@Kate – When I signed up for this I never thought it would happen this way but yes, it will definitely be a really fun story to tell the little guy one day.
@Barb – It’s funny – when they talk to us over the loudspeakers in the stadium, the baby starts kicking like mad… especially if it’s someone with an Australian accent.
@anonymous – You’re absolutely right, there are definitely two sides to the event. And there is a big mean corporate side to almost everything that’s seemingly philanthropic. That’s the world we live in. I do think though, that having the Olympics here has fostered some interesting discussion about our education and health care that otherwise wouldn’t have garnered the attention it has and also groups other than big corporate conglomerates who will benefit, so call me an optimist (or a disciple of yin/yang) but I do believe there is some good in everything ‘bad’.
I’m really exciting that my reading break is during the Olympics and that there’s only an hour time difference, so I’ll definitely be watching!
I’ll be watching, mostly with the hopes of seeing my friend Kasia workin’ it for the cameras!!! :)
I will be watching the Olympics and we will be there for a few days! Hubs is a Vancouverite and thankfully we can stay with his parents in Tsawwassen. We are excited, just not looking forward to the border lines lol.
I’m so excited for the Olympics and just cannot wait! I love the world wide camaraderie that it creates. I think this makes me an Olympic nerd. ;)
Will you be able to tell us in-depth about your experiences about before and after the ceremonies after they’re complete? I’d love to hear more about it!
@Bean I never even thought about the time difference! For those 2 weeks I’m always really sleep deprived since I try to stay up and watch as much as I can, so having only 1 hour difference is going to be great!
I’m an Olympic junkie and Micah is far from it. He always plans something during opening ceremonies so we conveniently can’t watch. Now I’m get to tell him I HAVE to watch because a friend might be on TV. I wish tickets weren’t so expensive or I’d be there in a heartbeat…I’m so close!
Oh how fun! I can’t wait to hear how you’re going to be involved in the ceremonies!
@Liesal – Sure, if you’re interested, I’d be happy to write a post about it after the ceremonies are over, with all the juicy details. ;)