Saturday - Day 6 - Getting Restless

Just a couple of follow-up points from yesterday...

1) The security story was unbelievable...they really are going all out. Every time we enter the secure area, which our whole base area of the mountain is, which means only Race Officials and Crew, and Athletes, and that's about it, we all have to go through a Security tent set up exactly like Airport Security, x-ray machine and all. The only difference is that the ratio of Security people, Police, and Volunteers who scan us in, is about 10 to 1 - just a little unnerving. Well, yesterday, when I had had a rough start to my day, as I was feeling a little homesick, had got on the wrong bus which took me on quite the circuitous route to the village, and had been caught in a downpower at the bus stop, found that when I got to the food tent and picked up my lunch, sandwhich and apple (this is pertinent), that there was no hot water for tea. No problem, I'll just step back outside the Security barrier, go into that nice little Grocer with my tea bag in this cup and fill it with hot water there. Breezed by the guard who was not looking on my way out. 30 seconds later, tried to walk back in, and was told I couldn't enter due to the "food stuffs" I was carrying - the exact same lunch items from the exact same food tent that the guards themselves were to receive that day - WHAT?! She said the sandwhich that was wrapped could come in, but I'd have to throw out the tea and the apple. WHAT?! I had just entered this tent 5mins prior, picked up my food, and walked right back out to get the water. I was tired, I was emotional, and I fought back. That didn't go over too well, to which the RCMP officer, and three other Security Guards who drifted over will attest. I gave the apple to one guard, and the bloody tea to the exit Guard who I made it clear should be re-trained for watching the entrance because there had been little action watching the exit, and went about my day - just NUTS!!

2) The Opening Cermonies were amazing. We had a blast in the hotel lounge, cheering for every country that anyone was even remotely connected to - funny, I was the only one cheering for Ireland! We also cheered for cute flag bearers, and each and every very special Canadian who had been selected to bear the large Olympic flag - great choices, VANOC! Overall, we had a blast! (Sidebar: The Great One is certainly great, no argument there, but surely they could have come up with a more creative and impressive end to his lighting of the outdoor torch, other than joyriding on the back of a pickup truck being followed by local-yocals for however long that drive was - did they run out of budget, or time to come up with a better idea, or what?

3) Forgot to mention about the bobcat!! Did some of you see it on the news a few nights ago? I was riding up the chair with some other Race Judges, and someone said "Look, a cat crossing the Finish!" It was surely a sight to see! It was big, strong, and very agile, if not quite cautious when he came to the options of jumping three ski fences, or past the humans - boy, did he jump!
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Today, I really felt like I've moved into this place. I simply lived as the locals lived today. No racing of course, due to rain and fog, AGAIN. So started off with laundry, while watching a couple of hours of Olympics on TV, made my way to the Village, skiied a couple of hours, which was heavy work, even at the higher elevations today - quite wet snow. Wandered the Village, and finally found my way to the Catholic Church for Mass. I was so glad that I did, as it was just beautiful - both the Mass, and the Church itself. You've seen a log cabin? Well, this is a modern log church. When you're sitting in the chairs (no pews), there are soaring windows behind the altar, through which you can see the top of the mountain, behind a foreground of majestic pine trees...this is God's country, for sure. Went back into the Village for a bit of the night life - not in the bars, but in the Village Squares. There are big screen TV's everywhere, and loads of people gathered around and in front of them, cheering on athletes - it's a great buzz of Olympic spirit! Watched the Medal Presentations, and the Whistler torch be lit, a concert by the American Rejects (interesting), and more TV - the Ladies' moguls - now that was fun - medal time for Canada!

It was a long trek home, as somehow one of the runs on my route was missed - the only hard part about where I live, is the commute - it's really hit and miss with the busses, as many of the drivers are from all over the country - super friendly, but don't have a clue where they're going sometimes!