I suspect it has cost me a few days of flu relapse, but it was well worth heading out with the kids last night. Ten thousand people packed Skier's Plaza to see the Olympic torch arrive in Whistler.
On account of the densely packed crowds and Liam's fearful insistence on being hoisted high on a hip rather than on shoulders (Catrionagh was on Rob's shoulders, as I wasn't sure I could manage her weight) my one-arm-in-the-sky-point-and-shoot photos are less than stellar...
but the kids had a good view, which is what counts, and the atmosphere was spine-tinglingly electric.
Canadians aren't generally loud about our love of country - we don't have a lot of use for arrogance, and despite being one of the most tolerant and egalitarian societies on the planet, we spend far more time agonizing over what we could do better than bragging about our attributes. Which makes these rare demonstrations of communal patriotic exuberance all the more poignant. Still waters run deep, you know?
Five days to the Opening Ceremonies... and definitely feeling the fever!
Oh, how exciting! I'm really looking forward to the Olympics - Norway is a winter sport country and have a lot of participants in the games. So exciting! We had the Olympics here in my country some years ago (1994), and that really was a huge happening for a small country.
Have a nice week end!
Posted by: Annepålandet | 06/02/2010 at 03:42 PM
What a fun experience! I am in Ontario and can't wait for the games to begin!!
Posted by: Louise | 06/02/2010 at 03:49 PM
Ruth thank you for the photos and your description. I too am in ontario and am looking forward to the games. And I am planning to make a tribute sweater too inspired by yours. Creamy winter white. Glad to know that you are better.
Posted by: Lucette | 06/02/2010 at 04:11 PM
Oh, wow ... check out the photos on my blog after the flame ceremony, Ruth -- Hailey and I just figured out that we were about 20 feet away from you!
Posted by: Marilyn G | 06/02/2010 at 09:05 PM
Bless Canadians!
Posted by: Debra K. | 07/02/2010 at 07:49 AM
I am really looking forward to seeing the Whistler events through your camera... thanks! and have fun!
Posted by: Linda M | 07/02/2010 at 08:14 AM
We figured you'd be down there for the big event...it must have been SOOO exciting!! The torch comes thru our community on Tuesday, so we're snatching the kiddies from school to go see it!! Then it will be off to the "O-Zone" next weekend to catch all the festivities!
Posted by: Kerri | 07/02/2010 at 05:27 PM