When the 2010 Olympics are practically in your backyard you can't pass up an opportunity to get in on the action! About six months ago Ben started talking about going to the Olympics in Vancouver B.C. We decided to by train tickets on Amtrak, we thought if we drove we could get stuck at the border for a long time, and we only planned to spend a day there. My dad and friend Jeff also thought they'd join in on the fun. So Saturday morning we boarded the north bound train at 7:45 AM and made it to Vancouver by 11:45. The train ride was BEAUTIFUL! The tracks have prime water front views almost the entire way and we really lucked out with a spectacular day. We highly recommend traveling to Vancouver via train, the station is located next to a light rail that will take you right into the city so no car is needed to get around. Above we're exciting the light rail station and going up the escalator with hundreds of other Olympic spectators! Our 6 hour Olympic adventure had started!
Our first destination was the Winter Cauldron or the Olympic Torch, it was so packed! At first we thought we'd only be able to see it from afar but I was bound and determined to see the famous fence that surrounded the torch.
This fence created quite the media frenzy because spectators couldn't get a good picture of the torch without the hideous obstruction. So they eventually cut a hole in it and replaced the space with a big piece of plexi glass. They also built a giant podium for prime photo-ops, unfortunately the line up to the podium was 45 minutes and we didn't want to wait that long. So we got creative and stood on park benches to get our photos with the torch!
My dad and Jeff.
Everywhere we went there were lines and lines and lines. Some of the longest we saw were: 6 hours to ride a zip line down Robson Street, 3 hours to get into The Mint to hold the medals, 2 hours to get into one of the Live City Venues, (where they have free concerts) and at least 1 hour to get into the SuperStore to buy Olympic Gear! Unbelievable huh? The woman above waited in line to hold the torch but we didn't want to waste our time so we just took her photo!
People, people, people, I was prepared for there to be a lot of people but the crowds far exceeded my expectations! Thankfully everyone was very kind and the weather was beautiful so it was just nice to be outside taking in the Olympic spirit.
We had lunch right around the corner from Vancouver's steam clock in Gas Town. We could here the clock "chiming" while we enjoyed our lunch at a small deli perched atop the beautiful waterfront. What the restaurant lacked in the charm it made up for in views. (Ben also says and a place to sit!)
I like to called the photo on the left, "Miga, Sumi, Quatchi, and Benji." In the photo on the right Ben is enjoying the "National Nectar" Canada Dry!
While we didn't get into any Olympic events we had just as good of a time enjoying the atmosphere and beautiful city. It really got us into the Olympic spirit and we have been very invested in the games upon our return.
Can't wait for the USA Gold Medal Hockey game on Sunday!!! Go USA!
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