Canadian Girls Kick Ass!

c)Robert Werner















After Canada won against Russia last night, Ashleigh, Mike, Stephan and I decided to go walking along Granville St. with our Canada gear and “Allez Canada” sign. I was expecting celebration, but I wasn’t expecting the amount of people cheering, clad in red and white, Canada Flag Capes, large waving Canada Flags, cow bells and bullhorns like I’ve never seen before! The energy was amazing to say the least. People were just walking through the streets high-fiving each other yelling “GO CANADA!”

I decided to cut my trip short. I fulfilled my volunteer shifts and saw everything I wanted to see so I thought it best to head back, plus I really missed my own bed :) My remaining Olympic experience will have to be on TV, which I’m okay with. In fact, I really think the Olympics is mostly geared towards the TV viewer, since the majority of people watching aren’t the spectators; they are the millions of television audiences around the world. Nothing compared to being in the venue for the energy and Canadian pride, but in terms of really getting a good view along with the commentary, it's all about television. The restaurants and bars in Vancouver did a really good job preparing for the Olympics in terms of flat screen high def TVs littered throughout. It was rare to find somewhere that didn't have the games on the tube.

Having the best of both worlds on my vacation, I kept mostly busy and was invested as a volunteer, meeting amazing and dedicated people from around the world, and learned the ins and outs of both the city and the Olympics, resulting in helping other visitors experience the city. That coupled with amazing moments and events, I'm satisfied with the trip.

I’m sitting on the plane now, as I type this last blog for this experience, as we get updates from our pilot on the Canada Women’s hockey game:
“This is your captain speaking. Just reporting an update on the game, Canada is ahead one nothing”. Cheers erupts from through the cabin.
And again. “This is your pilot speaking, Canada scored another goal making it two nothing”. More cheering. Then we hear "It's GOLD for Canada!" For some reason I had this image of the pilot upfront with his tv, beer in hand, feet up, watching that game. I hope that's not the case!

It seems like the majority of the conversations around me are from people leaving the games. There is an energy of bringing together a nation around the Olympics undoubtedly in the air, quite literally and metaphorically.

So here sums up my trip:

Big Costs: Flight $770, Event Tickets $850, Food/Drinks $ 500

Celebrity sightings by myself/friends: Skaters Elvis Stojko & Josée Chouinard, Actor Nicole Kidman & Musician Keith Urban, Much Music VJ Leah Miller, a Russian Hockey Player (didn't get his name), a past Olympic Hockey Player (sweet man in his eighties), Great Britain Pairs Team Nicholas Buckland and Penny Coomes (on the bus)

Number of Times Smelling Pot: 12

Free Transit Trips with My VANOC Accreditation: 40 plus

Photos snapped of me in my Smurf Gear: 20 plus (that I know of)

Lost/Broken/Stolen Items: iphone, blue Smurf hat, camera

Pin Trades: 7

Amount VANOC Spent on Each Volunteer (if they had to pay without sponsorship): $800 aprox. (uniform, accreditation, gifts, transit, meals)

Sampling of Food: Sushi in YaleTown, falafel, local scallops & steak, pizza in YaleTown, fish at Waterfront Station, Mexican nachos on Denmin St, wings at Stephan's fav pub, noodles/soup & dumplings in China Town, grilled chipotle chicken sandwich and broccoli cheese soup at my favourite cafe during my volunteer shifts (to name a few)

Interesting BC Fact: Deprivation of liquor & beer stores means they are open until 11pm but they were required to close in the central Olympic areas early, to avoid drinking in the streets. It didn't stop many, including the Canadian Women's hockey team members!!!

This smurf's signing out!

This Smurf has a sore throat, fever, is sunburnt & tired... still, a once in a life time experience!

Scott & Tessa


US vs. SWE Women's hockey


GO TEAM CANADA GO!


The London/Western crew viewing the Olympic flame


The crowd walking to see the flame, from the top of the life guard chair.


These last few days I've almost wanted to throw the Olympics out the window and fly back home, only because it's so intense every day to be around so many crowds and crowds of people who are all decked out in red and white, and fewer in their respective country colours all asking the same questions one after the other:

Where's the torch? Have you seen the cauldron? Am I going in the right direction to see the flame? Where's the fire? All the while, mobs and mobs of people are headed towards the Olympic Cauldron. Yesterday my job was on top of the life guard chair announcing on the megaphone, "Welcome to Vancouver! Bienvenue à Vancouver! If you are here to see the Olympic Flame, you are almost there. Please follow the crowd two blocks down on your right". I said this every minute for my 8 hour shift, rotating with another volunteer. So technically, I said that 240 times yesterday. That's probably why my voice is sore :)

Noticing that I'm missing much of the actual sports and medal ceremonies, I'm trying to keep up by checking the standings and watching the replays. On the other hand, I never seem to miss when Canada scores, as the whole city breaks out in cheers!

When I'm not volunteering, I've learned NEVER to wear my blue jacket in public because I get asked questions everywhere I go, most of which I do not know the answer. I risked wearing it with my jeans when I drove to Seattle to pick up the London crew, and it wasn't too bad once I got out of Vancouver and crossed over to the USA. I had a few people in Seattle point at me, and one person took my picture. I've also had a couple other situations where people have taken my picture, especially on the lifeguard stand. One reported asked to climbed up with me, and take a photo of me in action with the crowd in the background so I gladly had him climb up. Another guy spoke to me with a dutch accent and asked if he could video tape me saying "Luke, I am your father" over the loud speaker while waving my light baton. I played along! Look for me on youtube, I'm sure. :P

I've had the fortune of reconnecting with many friends and re-exploring different areas of the city and Olympic celebrations. Included are a few photos from the experiences so far.

Today, Melissa, a friend through Dave and Sarah asked me to go with her to the US vs SWE women's hockey game! Sweden got creamed 9-1 by the USA, who had a clearly stronger team but we were still cheering for Sweden! It was wild to see most of the crowd still red and white Canadian fans, with a some US fans, and a few yellow and blue Sweden fans in the crowd. What a treat to see a live Olympic hockey game!

The Compulsory Ice Dance was really exciting for me to watch as well, even though I've had lots of questions after about why I love it so much? I guess it's because I've done some ice dance tests (nothing in comparison to what we see these teams do) and can appreciate how difficult it is technically for them to pull off those dances. Tonight we're watching the Original Dance and cheering on Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir - GO CANADA GO!

Time is speeding up here on the West Coast

It's unbelievable how quickly time is passing this week! It's hard to keep up writing with the pace and energy of the Olympics and as I write I have Stephan & Becca in one city for the first time since November so I have major ADHD right now! I'll see how this post goes.

Luckily I have the next few days off to explore and my volunteer shifts have almost forced me to learn where things are in the city... and I find myself teaching my friends good places to go, where the busy spots are and what's fun to do and see.

My shifts are long and some days are really exciting and other days it's hard to get their one time so I'm happy to have a few days off. Two days ago it was tough to get up and put on my volunteer uniform – fatigue, routine, apathy and sore legs set-in. As cheesy as this sounds, I download the Olympic Soundtrack, and listened to “I believe” on the walk and bus ride to Waterfront Station. Re-listening to the song with lyrics, I really do think there is something much more global to pull from them:

Sometimes when I feel I've had enough
And I feel like giving up
You willed me to be all I can be
Now nothing can stop me

I believe in the power that comes
From a world brought together as one
I believe together we'll fly
I believe in the power of you and I

It seemed to do the job as I walked to the bus and started heading towards the city centre... seeing more and more people... it was a good re-framing for my mindset.

A few of my roles include:

“Olympic Torch this way. Down the Stairs. Two blocks down. On Your Right." Shuffling thousands of visitors to the flame. This job was my least favourite because where I was stationed, each person walked towards me as if they were the first person to ask "Where's the torch?" "Where's that cauldron thingy?" "Where's the flame?" "Am I close to that outdoor fire?"

My other least favourite job so far was barricading people to line up for the Canada Line, and the line got so long that Vancouverites got really frustrated and huffed off at us. I can’t blame them. If I had to be shuffled all the way to Bloor and Spadina to get on the St. George subway, I’d be utterly perturbed, which is what we’re essentially doing to manage the crowds. Especially if it put an extra 30 minutes on my commute.

**yelling*** "Hockey game this way. Around the Station. Down the Stairs" On top of a barricade. This job was my favourite because I got to see 99% Canadian fans dressed in red and white, costumes of every type and only 1% Norwegian fans! We shuffled thousands of fans into the game and it was fun to feel so appreciated and thanked by the fans who were pumped to see the mens Team Canada play their first game.

All in all I am really enjoying being so much a part of the games, in the trenches... I've met some interesting people so far - a retired ESL Elementary School Teacher, a Financial Analysit, a Lawyer from Austria, young people, people with families back home and people with disabilities... it's a very diverse and interesting team.

We've had people yell at us, thank us, stand up and cheer, take pictures of us, ask to take pictures with me, offer money for our jackets. I've had someone take my toque too :(

Today Becca, Stephan and I are going out to explore, so hopefully I'll have more exciting things to report tomorrow!

GO CANADA GO!!!

Can you tell me if the TransLink is open 24 hours during the Olympics?

Get ready for a real treat as the Olympics officially opens Day One – all the VANOC Volunteers got to go to the last run-through of the Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday night. I brought Stephan & Michael along, since they have supported me through this volunteer experience and I’m so glad they came! Changing my flight to arrive a day earlier was so worth it!

We weren’t sure what to expect, but ended up discovering that the show was running with 100% of their acts, so the line-up was spectacular. John Furlong, CEO of the VANOC addressed the crowd of volunteers, thanking us for our contributions, along with the Mayor of Vancouver Gregor Robertson, Premier of British Columbia Gordon Campbell, and Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper! They asked us to keep all the surprises a secret so everyone will be surprised. I’ve heard the line-ups been leaked, which I was really disappointed to hear, although with 40,000 volunteers and friends in the crowd, there had to be a few people who couldn't resist posting photos on facebook, even though they warned against it.

My first shift as a volunteer was yesterday, and I eagerly got into my blue uniform and nervously made my way down to the Waterfront Station, meeting a group of volunteers at 200 Granville St. I should mention that the organizers made full use of google maps and tagged the street view of where we needed to meet, so I found it really easy being out of province, knowing where I had to go!

Here’s where things get a little interesting and ironic, because let me say once again, that they made the process of finding the volunteer team at Waterfront Station very easy for someone who has NO IDEA where to go in Van, only arriving the day prior.

The first thing our Team supervisors Rina and Josh let us know, is that at some point we may be called to guide people traffic, but until then we will be stationed at the corners answering questions and giving directions. I had an internal voice shout out “excuse me!?” but I kept it inside for the time being and continued on the tour of the station. I will use the anology for people who know Toronto – it’s like being stationed at Union, where all main trains cross, and telling tourist which direction to go to see things like the CN Tower, the ROM, the AGO – all things I could easily do after living in Toronto for 2 years, but NOT Vacouver!

Not wanting to sound uneager or unhelpful on my first shift, I just carried along, smiled, introduced myself to the various volunteers and started to get to know them and said I was from Toronto. Charleen, a retired woman, was the first Volunteer I met, applied and was accepted a whole 2 years ago. Charleen knows EVERYTHING there is to know about downtown Van, having lived here for years. When she got wind of me being from Toronto, and only applying a month ago, she was quite distressed and voiced her concern to me and frantically started telling me things like – “That’s 1000 Media Place, no one but media can go in their”, “Over there is the German House”, “Tell people to go that way to Robson Square”, “That’s the Canadian Line, and over here is…” and so on. A feeling of slight panic set-in when I realized this was going to be my job, but I smiled and nodded and tried my best to take it all in.

I found as soon as someone came up to ask me questions, Charleen quickly jumped in with answers, which I welcomed at first. After a couple hours of this, I was told I could go for lunch and my supervisor Josh joined me for a stop at Timmies. He reassured me that it was okay not to know everything, and everyone including himself was feeling a little frustrated with the new role. Knowing that flexibility is a key quality of being in a volunteer, I let him know I’m good to just go with it, as long as I’m not expected to know all the answers.

On our way back to the station after lunch, he sent me back while he checked on some others, and as I was keeping to myself, a woman got off the bus and said “Excuse me, can you help me find the Philippians Consulate?”. Momentarily, I looked for the crutch of a buddy, and then realized I would try my best to help. I pulled out my iphone and asked her if she had the address, plugged it in and was able to help her draw a map on her documents. Thankful and with a smile she was off to find the Consulate and I was happy and relieved I could help.

This continued on for the next hour or so, where I was able to use my gps to show visitors where they were and how to get places until another supervisor Ryan, asked me if I wanted to help later in the day at Stadium Station, directing people to and from the torch run. I gladly agreed, so left my shift around 1pm, and needed to return at 6pm.

Rather then returning home, I decided to explore Vancouver – I traveled through Pacific Centre Mall, walked around the Vancouver Art Gallery to see the countdown clock, just taking in all the window displays and Canada Pride lining the streets. I saw some really cool art exhibits along Robson, and I found myself at the Canadian Mint, where I exchanged loonies for Olympic loonies, got to meet a few Mounties and saw the Olympic Medals live! I learned the gold medal is silver, then plated, and so is the bronze. The Aboriginal Design on the Medals all make-up one piece of artwork, when they’re all placed together. The Paralympic Medals are slightly different, in a square shape rather then rounded.

After that excitement, I worked my way down to Yaletown, where restaurants were prepping last-minute touches on their outdoor patios and displays. I landed upon the most amazing Sushi place for lunch and satisfied a craving I’d had since arriving – Spicy tuna rolls… yumm… Following that, I chilled in a Starbucks for an hour and charged my phone, getting caffeinated for my second shift.

I should mentioned that while out touring in my blue jacket, I received countless questions I wasn’t prepared to answer. Here are a few:

“Is this where you pick-up tickets?” (by BC Place)
“Are the Trains going to be running 24 hours?” (in the Translink Station)
“How do I get to Science World?” (outside Stadium Station)
“Do you work for VANOC? I want to voice a complaint about the ticket pick-up. I want to speak to someone RIGHT NOW” (outside Stadium again)

Surprisingly, I found myself absorbing the area like a sponge, figuring out the answers like my life depended on it.

Showing up at Stadium Station, I thought I was going to be directing traffic, but again meeting my shift supervisor Maria, she quickly put a yellow arm sleeve on me that symbolize “ask me anything”. Internally I’m giggling but on the surface, I remain calm, getting to know my teammates, and learn that there is really only one questions people are asking “How do we get to the park to see the torch” and I quickly learned the answer “This is Beatty” as I motioned with my hand down the street “Follow this until it turns into Pacific and you can’t miss it” “It’s about a 12-15 minute walk”. There. That isn’t so hard. Fooling everyone walking by, as they thankfully acknowledge my helpfulness. Oh, the irony!



In Teacher school, I learned the best way to educate a student is to allow them to have an experiential learning moment, so what better way to learn about the city of Vancouver and the 2010 Olympics then to be situated where all the action is, and be asked random questions about the city? It certainly has prompted me to learning where things are, learn what’s going on in the city and has allowed me to connect with visitors from literally all over the world – California, India, Georgia (Country), England, Montreal, Calgary, Italy, Hong Kong – just to name a few.

Dave stopped by at my volunteering station for a quick check-in after his shift, and I'm starting to see why he's so exhausted working here. There's just so much going on that the energy is both intense and uplifting, yet exhausting (not to mentioned he's working 12 hour shifts daily until the games finish). My bed never felt better, and I don’t even remember going to sleep, only to wake up to helicopters over us and people invading the street to see the torch run. Stephan and I got up to see the torch at 7am right down his street, at first hoping to see Arnold Schwarzenegger, but the caffeine called our name more, and we ended up right in the place we needed to be, the place where the exchange happened between two torch bearers.

There is a buzz around Van today, the last day of the torch run – Who will carry the torch and light the flame at the ceremonies? Wayne G? Terry Foxes' mom? Those two seem to be the most guessed. We’ll have to see tonight, because that part I’m still in the dark on. That, and if the trains are running 24 hours?

I made it - barely!

Six loads of laundry, 7 paintings and 2 iced coffees later, I managed to pack everything in one suitcase in 30 minutes this afternoon and make it from St. George Station to Kipling and on the 192 Rocket bus to the airport with ease, and for only THREE bucks - too bad my bag was 16 lbs over weight at Pearson! There's nothing quite like unzipping a well strategized piece of luggage, only to have deodorant, one running shoe and a pink thong burst out and onto the airport floor. Thumbs-up to the Westjet Service Representative though, since she gave me the option of either paying $53 for the extra weight (ya, right), or to not loose my place in line and take out 16 lbs of weight and add it to my backpack, having two checked items instead of one. That was a good plan, and so I was left with just my purse and laptop... very freeing way to travel.

The other tip I found quite successful was to select the emergency row seat. As it ended up, I had the isle, with no one between myself and the window passenger and more leg room then I could ever use for my short little legs.

We landed successfully after four hours of solid TV watching - TLC, HGTV and surprisingly, I learned about Geisha and Nuns on Oprah.

There is more then a buzz in Vancouver, and from the time I get off the plane there is Vancouver 2010 symbols, signs and the turquoise, lime green and royal blue Olympic colours everywhere. Adds for the Olympic sponsors are everywhere but what I noticed first and most of all when I got off the plane - the various people in the turquoise volunteer jackets. Being the first time I saw the uniform in person, I got really excited inside. Then I heard "Paula!" and I looked to see Stephan waiting for me by the luggage! He explained that he and I could not speak anymore because there is an unofficial hierarchy between all the volunteers, with the turquoise ones being at the tops because we're the only ones "accredited", apparently. :P

I'm looking forward to exploring tomorrow, but tonight, I was so thankful for Stephan and Michael who had set-up a nice area for me to stay at their place. Michael even made me a home cooked meal.

Tomorrow's plan is to explore, try to pick-up my free opening ceremonies dress rehearsal ticket, get my uniform and the go to the ceremony. Lucky for me, Stephan has a pile of maps and documents to help me find my way. He even made me an extra key. You'd think this guy knew a thing or two about housing accommodations.

I'm hoping I can see Dave tomorrow as well. He's been here a week already, setting up many of the CTV venues, including: figure skating (had to list this one first!), curling, speed skating and women's hockey. He's already notified me that all the turquoise volunteers with VANOC are nicknamed "Smurfs" so I guess for the rest of the trip, just call me "Smurfette" =)

My computer tells me it's now 3:05am Toronto time and my iphone reads 12:05pm, but regardless of the actual time, I'm zonked yet too excited to sleep in my new home.

Looking forward to seeing what tomorrow will bring!

~ PG