Day 4 - Victory ceremony - Canada Gold!

Monday was a relaxing day. Jen made us some waffles (our traditional Valentine's Day fare, a bit late), and later Shawna and Emily left for the airport to fly back to Edmonton.

I walked them to the subway station and then went to the Choices grocery store on the way back to pick up a whole chicken. Jen and I relaxed and watched the men's downhill and snowboard cross on TV while the chicken roasted.

At 5 we left to walk to BC Place for the victory ceremony. That was nice as we didn't have to allow for bus transit taking longer than expected. It was just over a kilometer, so didn't take long.

I had ordered those tickets when they first became available. I wanted to get them for a night just before or after our other tickets. I was thinking that we would see the medals given for the pairs figure skating, not knowing at the time that a) the event wouldn't be over and b) they were awarding the figure skating medals at their own venues. So that didn't work out as I had hoped. Then they announced the concerts to go with the victory ceremonies, and some were really fantastic. The date I had was always "to be announced" until 3 days ago, when they said it would be Gregory Charles. (???)(who?) So it was amazing to later find that something I bought cheaply, and was never really sure I would use, turned out to be for the most special historic event! Some things just work out so sweetly!

BC Place is where the opening and closing ceremonies are and is beautiful and huge, but they had blocked it off to only use half. Our seats were pretty good.

Some bands from Quebec played ( it was Quebec Day) and then they had the medal ceremony.

That was a truly thrilling moment, to see Bilodeau get Canada's first gold medal with my own eyes. I felt choked up, as the entire crowd was on their feet cheering, clapping, and even more so when our voices rose for the beloved O! Canada, while we watched the huge flags, carried in by Mounties in their red jackets, rise. It was a proud, happy moment for all Canadians!

We left right away, did not stay for the concert, and cabbed back home in time to watch Davison and Dube and the rest of the skaters, and Jeremy Wotherspoon in the 500 m speed skating.

Nice to see what happened live, too bad the results weren't better.

There is a bit of a lull for awhile, so my posts might not be as frequent. Enjoy watching everything on TV just as I am, and check back later on. Let me hear your comments.