Monthly Adventure

LOVE MY CANADA!!!

The Olympics in Vancouver were FUN.

Not that I saw any games or visited any of the ‘Houses’ put on by the participating countries….but really, what did that matter?

The city was ALIVE!!!!

And it felt pretty awesome to be living downtown, right in the centre of things!

Roaming the streets during the day and at night, watching the fireworks, meeting new best friends, hanging out with my awesome family – it was truly an amazing time.

Without a doubt, the olympics were marred by tragedy – the death of the Georgian luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili, just hours before the opening ceremony. Then there was the controversial glorious summer weather that left the ski hills barren, without snow.

And of course, you cannot have a big to-do without the expected protesters causing a furor. I didn’t like the property damage aspect of the protest – but then I’m more of a lover, not a fighter.

But the olympics made me feel something I haven’t felt in a very long time.

Canadian.

Je suis Canadien...!!

Filled with national pride, I found myself surrounded by my Canadian brothers and sisters, revelling in the celebration of being alive at this time. When we opened our doors to share our fair city with the rest of the world, goodwill and a sense of global community was felt in every moment.

And I fell in love all over again with Vancouver.

I definitely experienced the ‘post-podium’ depression. When the olympics ended, I was left feeling bereft. I had no idea that when the city went back to normal…the silence would be so deafening. That I would miss all my new friends.

That I’d feel somewhat…empty.

But I am left with the knowledge that ‘we’ did good. That we opened our arms and embraced the global community, welcoming them to our beautiful country, my Vancouver.

Come back again soon, we said to you…

Well…what exactly was the adventure you wonder?

My first ever Olympics I’ve ever been to? Sure.

Welcoming strangers to my beautiful city? Sure.

The first time I ever ‘deliberately’ watched a hockey game on TV? Sure.

The fact that I felt so completely and utterly…Canadian??

Perhaps all of the above…perhaps not.

Maybe, just maybe, it was the first time I ever spent AWAY from a computer, unplugging from everything – and just enjoying the present moment.

Being around friends, family, and strangers alike.

No matter what, my entire month was FILLED TO THE BRIM with non-stop F.U.N….and I’m okay with that being my adventure. That doesn’t happen every day in my life, let alone for a month.

Of course this story is being posted almost a year and a half AFTER the olympics, so it loses some of that ‘freshness’…but I don’t really care.

It was an amazing time and I am glad to have shared it with the rest of my wonderful neighbours across this little planet we call home.

Next Adventure --> Super Extra-Ordinary Newspaper Delivery Girl

Previous Adventure --> Modern Day Gladiator