February 20th to 23rd - Mostly Days Off!!!!

It's been a bunch of days off for me so not too much to report, but I do have some pics!!  On Sunday I worked Short Track Speed Skating where I chaperoned my first medalist - that was pretty exciting as I got to see all the excitement close up (closer up than ususal!!!), including the flower ceremony and the press conference.  I was also lucky enough to see most of the races that night...short track is pretty unpredictable, and super fun to watch.  Here are pics of the men's 1000 meter start and the women's 1500 meter start.

The press conference

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were either scheduled days off or call in shifts - so I ended up attending a curling match with Dale (housemate) on Sunday- Canada was playing China which resulted in their first loss...I have really enjoyed watching the curling, but the seats in that venue are pretty much the most uncomfortable seats I have ever sat in...the fans there however are quite rambunctious and have been the talk of the games as far as fans go!!!!

Monday I just hung out in the city, which included an evening visit to the waterfront to view the  Olympic Cauldron.  Even with all the controversy about the fence obstructing the view, when you are on the viewing platform you are still closest to this flame than any other in history as in most games the flame is high in the sky.  I went to the waterfront in time to catch the flame both in daylight and night, but it is definitely most lovely at night...we were there too early to see the rings turn gold when Virtue & Moir won their gold medal so the picture I have shows the rings in blue.

 

On Tuesday I headed to Whistler to meet up with Courtney (who had spent Tuesday skiing up there - absolutely gorgeous day!!!!) to see a couple of bands that were playing that day.  Unfortunately it was a rainy day so a bit cooler than we have been used to.  We spent the afternoon on a patio watching Damien Marley (Bob Marley's son) and enjoying a few beverages, then later headed over to the Whistler Celebration Site to see the medal presentations and The Fray...which happens to be one of my favourite bands...poor Courtney - who is not used to cold weather anymore, froze throughout the concert, but stuck it out for her old mom!!!!!

Damien Marley - a huge crowd in the promenade of the village

Whistler at night and the Medal Plaza