Winter Olympics: The Olympic Flame Has Arrived
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Greetings from Vancouver!
It’s 8:57 am and I just woke up to an unexpected treat: the Olympic torch running past my hotel window!
On the corner of Dunsmuir and Seymour, a crowd began forming as I looked out below. Why is there a crowd? I thought. And then it hit me—this could only mean one thing!
A few minutes later—after a coca-cola truck warmed up the crowd, and a cavalcade of police officers on motorcycle and horseback cleared the street—the Olympic torch was floating past my window.
The runner, dressed in white, held the flame high in one hand and waved to the crowd with the other.
He slowly disappeared down the street in a sea of spectators hurrying to run with him.
What a way to wake up to the Olympics!
After an arduous journey from a snow-covered New York City through a thunderstormy Houston, I finally made it to my hotel in Vancouver at 2:45 am last night.
The trip started off with a bang when my rainbow-colored Moonboots got stuck in the TSA security-screening belt. It was a to-do to get them untangled. Then my Houston flight was delayed, but I finally rolled into Vancouver at 2 am local time.
Waiting to wisk me away to my hotel was my very own official Olympic SUV, complete with Olympic decals. The car still had that new smell and I felt like a very important person indeed to have my own car and driver from the airport—a luxury all credentialed Olympic visitors are treated to.
My driver was a friendly fellow named Antony, who gladly answered all the questions I threw at him.
The most interesting person he’s shuttled around? The crown prince of Holland.
Most fun? A Hungarian delegate who asked for a personal tour of downtown Vancouver.
Favorite place to eat? Fish and chips just about anywhere.
Fish and chips—must add to list of things to do.
Well, time to venture out of my hotel and get out there and experience the excitement.
Stay tuned!
This post originally appeared on the Washington Times Communities here on Feb. 12, 2010.
