The Halfway Point - Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games

Title:
The Halfway Point - Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games
Author:
Shoelady
Usefulness:
4.0


— A Vancouverite looks forward and back at the half-way mark.


Wow, I can't believe it's half over!  I live in the West End/Downtown Vancouver and it seems like we were preparing for the Olympics for a long time.

My social views definitely lean toward the liberal way of thinking, so I am sympathetic to many of the points the anti-Olympic protesters are making.  But, I voted for the Olympics to come to town and I ultimately believe it will be a good thing for our beautiful city.

What I didn't anticipate was the huge amount of patriotism and goodwill shown on the streets of downtown Vancouver every single day!  It's truly amazing!  I was born in Canada and have lived here all my life, but I've never felt so proud of my country and especially the city I've chosen to call home.

To me, the best part of the Olympic experience is just simply wandering around the blocked-off streets of downtown, checking out the street art/performers, meeting people from different countries, and stopping in for a pint occasionally, especially since most pubs have TV screens to catch some of the events.  A band will suddenly strike up a tune on Granville Street; it's great.

I've taken my daughter, along with friends, to some of the pavilions, the Robson Square ice rink, the free street car, Granville Island, LiveCity Yaletown, and we've really enjoyed ourselves.  Sure, the line-ups are long sometimes, but we invited the world, what do you expect?  And you know they're all going to want to move here, right?  Stunning weather in February and one of the most beautiful cities in the world, where the people are happy and friendly all the time!

While I was excited and looking forward to the event as it drew nearer, I was apprehensive about how it was going to affect our daily lives.  Most of us still have to go to work and get our kids to school each day (in our case that involves two transit buses and a bridge to cross).

For my family, the commute to work and school has been far better than I ever could have expected.  We don't have to leave any earlier and have the benefit of walking among all these happy people on our way home every day.  Vancouverites really did get the message and are leaving their cars at home.

If I could wish for a few things to continue on, after the athletes and visitors leave, it would be these:
  • The continuation of national pride for our amazing country and its people.  Let's remember this feeling and keep it going.
  • A few streets to be blocked off to traffic in downtown Vancouver, at least on weekends.  This is how you create a fun, street vibe, where people want to get out and take part in what's going on.
  • More opportunities for bands, festivals, outdoor events.  That's how to make Vancouver a "Fun City" again.
It's into week two, and hopefully many more medals for Canada to come!  But even if there isn't it, it will all seem worth it to me.  I will actually be sad when it's over.   As I keep telling my daughter, it's probably a "once in a lifetime" event to be living in an Olympic host city.  I, for one am glad I didn't leave town and miss out on it all.

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