Day 1
Let the games begin. It is Friday and what better way to start the day than enjoying some Cheerios! We started out at 9:30 this morning and headed to Vancouver to pick up some tickets, watch the torch and see the sites before the opening ceremonies. The air was filled with excitement downtown and people from all over the world filled the streets. Judy's dragon boat team members had the honour of paddling the torch so we headed to the water front. It was beautiful, rain and all! It was so much fun to watch it on the water. Some paddlers were either organ transplant recipients or donor family. From there Susan, Nadine, Judy, Michelle and I headed to a nice little cafe for a bite to eat before Michelle and I headed in to BC place. We thought we were there early enough to get in by the rehearsal but little did we know it would take us over two hours to get in through the security! None the less we had fun in line! We had met a family from Calgary on our flight who we had joked with saying maybe we would run into each other at the games, well we did the we beside us in the line and we had a great time together!

Well we did make it through the security check and rushed to our seats to get the final instructions on what we had to do. When we got there my heart was racing with excitement, some tears could be found in my eyes and we both had this smile pasted on our faces! The drum that was on our seats contained a white poncho, a flashlight, a battery operated candle and a beautiful book. The people around us helped us catch up - pointing out everything was numbered so we would know what to do when! The stadium was magnificent with everyone dressed in white and flashlights twinkling! The lights dimmed and my dream was starting and what a perfect dream it was. We were sitting about 15 rows up from the floor and one section from the area where the athletes came in. We formed the number 10 in the countdown but we still don't know what flag we were when the fans became flags! Throughout the show we cheered waved our flag and banged on the drums! I loved everything from the whales to the skiers coming out of the sky and everything in between. After the show Michelle said "It was LOUD when it was loud and so quiet when it was quiet." how true it was. The sorrow for the Georgian team was felt throughout and the joy of being a Canadian was overflowing. I didn't think I would have a voice today but I do so Go Canada Go and Michelle and I are off to the long track speed skating today and short track tonight!

Still Dreaming

Trace