Vancouver 2010: Olympic Outing #4
What a night! (And day.) Watching 2 hockey games, both with shootouts, wandering the streets of Downtown to screaming Canadians, WOOT!
After watching that intense Canada vs Switzerland hockey game (and missing Crosby’s goal due to a bathroom visit), I headed Downtown for the 4th straight day and went on the search for the Olympic torch. And there it was at the Bell booth on the 3rd level in Pacific Centre. There is supposedly another torch at LiveCity Downtown, but the wait is tremendously long.
The torch is pretty heavy, as it has been said before and as I had predicted. It was nice to be able to snap a photo with a real one.
And here, finally, is my nighttime shot of the Olympic clock with the Canada flag (not entirely visible) in the background.
Before I even reached Downtown, I had heard honks and screams and cheers from the SkyTrain stations. Obviously, Downtown was an absolute gong show, with red and white and Canada flags left, right, and centre and cheering at each major intersection.
I thought this shot was pretty neat. Outside The Bay Downtown (where the “Olympic Superstore” is).
After roaming around, hitting up the Bell Ice Cube again, walking some more, I decided I wanted to eat and my friends wanted to watch the Russia vs Slovakia hockey game, so into CBC Radio/Bread Garden we went. It was pretty nice considering it was nearly empty in there. Soon, I heard screams and cheering outside, and curiosity got the best of me, so I peeked outside and found that CBC was broadcasting.
After hearing more screams, I went out once again and saw that the Red Men were out there. I’ve heard of them but I don’t really know what they’re all about. I suppose like the Green Men but representing Canada.
To add to the excitement and hype and wonder that Vancouver has become, while going down the escalator at Granville Station, people were high-fiving each other on the way up/down. EPIC!
Tonight wasn’t a particularly long night, and my feet aren’t aching and blistered, thankfully. Downtown at night is definitely something else, especially after a hockey game win. (I can’t imagine what would’ve happened down there if Canada had lost.) And it’s awesome to see everyone happy and cheering and having so much Canadian pride.
Friday: zip lining has been postponed until further notice; will still be heading Downtown
Saturday: Surrey?
Sunday: SLEEP EARLY?
Monday: possibly Grouse @ 3am for the taping of The Today Show
I feel like I’ve been to every possible place although I know that that’s not true. Some places/things I’d still like to check out:
- Granville Island
- Vectorial Elevation (light show)
- Bombardier street cars
- Olympic cauldron/rings @ night
- Richmond (O Zone)
- GE Ice Plaza @ Robson Square
Any suggestions for places/things worth seeing/waiting in long lineups for?