Normally, when you walk the streets of Downtown Vancouver before 7.00am, you are lucky if people make eye contact with you. It is not that people are rude, typically we are huddled in our coats, sipping on our coffee, focusing on the day ahead. It was a completely different vibe this morning.
Downtown Vancouver was electric. Even at 6.30am, there were people everywhere, smiling, laughing, saying hello. It was fantastic. Athletes, officials, visitors, everyone was pumped for the day ahead. Why? Because this Clock is finally out of days. The Olympic Countdown clock was installed 3 years ago on the lawn of the Vancouver Art Gallery and now it is counting down the HOURS until the start of the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games.
The above photo was taken just before 7.00am. Check out the difference of under 2 hours. This was the crowd in that same area at around 8.30 this morning!! It was amazing. The Torch wound it’s way through Stanley Park, the West End and Downtown Vancouver this morning and thousands upon thousands of people came to cheer it on! Construction workers stopped what they were doing to glimpse the torch go by. Even the kitchen and sales staff at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver ducked out to watch as the Torch made it’s way down Georgia Street. It was awesome to be part of the crowd.
The reason we were in that location specifically was not to cheer on the Terminator (although that would have been cool) – who ran through Stanley Park at around 6.30am. It was to watch and support and be amazed by 92 year old Dal Richards. Born and raised in Vancouver, Dal is a big band legend amongst locals and music aficionado’s alike. Dal has been training for a few months in preparation for this 300 metre run – probably one of the more exciting runs he has made in his life! Apparently he was handed the Torch by Walter Gretsky, father of “The Great One.” Rumours are flying around the city that Wayne Gretsky will be the one with the all important task of lighting the Olympic Cauldron tonight at BC Place. This is a closely guarded secret….. I can’t wait to see who it is and how they do it!
The Opening Ceremonies start at 6.00pm local time. There is a great atmosphere in the city. Locals are coming out in droves to show the world how excited we are to have the Games here. The next two weeks are going to be a crazy ride. We can’t wait to share it with you!
2:41 am
I could not agree with you more Suzanne!! This city has totally come alive and this morning was crazy! On my walk into work, I saw the torch coming up Davie Street which was packed with happy and excited supporters. It really was a great way to start off the day!
Seeing the opening ceremonies tonight was awesome! Saw them in the comfort of a great bar on Main Street with a huge screen TV.
Games are starting…btwn the games themselves and all the fun stuff to do in the city, think I better call in sick to work! lol
GO CANADA!!!!