Saturday seems like a long time ago, but it was my first time getting into an Olympic event.
We were on our way to Canada Hockey Place to go watch Canada versus Slovakia women’s hockey when these, obviously, team Canada fans came up the escalators in Granville Station singing Oh, Canada at the top of their lungs. Seeing me, they gave a hearty yell as I snapped their picture.
I took a variety of photos while at the game, but trying to keep within the rules of what the IOC lets you do with those photos, you’ll have to visit my Vancouver 2010: Day 2 set on Flickr to see them.
That being said, CHP (more known as GM Place to Canucks fans like you and me) looks amazing. I love that the only piece of advertisement in the whole rink is the Omega sign hanging from the scoreboard above center ice. I wish it could be that way the whole year round, but the Canucks need to pull in that extra income somewhere.
The game itself was an amazing experience. Canada blew Slovakia out of the water, 18-0, which kind of made it a little lackluster in terms of action. I just like a little more competition as a spectator, but trust me, there was no lack of skill in that game.
On top of that, experiencing true Canadian pride was chilling. Growing up, I’m familiar with the same of fellow Americans and the pride associated there, but this was different. I can’t place my finger on what it is, but it’s all about the celebration of the game in front of you as well as your fellow countrymen and women around you sharing in that. It’s all about being in that moment, and then probably sharing that story over and over for years to come.
Heading home through downtown, it just seems like there is a constant party, especially down Granville Street. There has been impromptu dance parties, flash mobs of choreographed dancers, and so many other things that I’ve seen mentioned on Twitter that I can even recall because there always seems to be something going on.
Ever wonder what it would be like if there was a party and the whole world was invited? This is it.
It really is like a constant party! We haven’t been to our first event yet (Canada-Switzerland women’s hockey later today!), but we spent all day yesterday walking around downtown. It was just packed full of happy, reveling people. I’ll definitely head downtown at night another time, as I’m sure the festivities are far more… enthusiastic at the end of the day.