There is a multi-multi-million dollar mountain pass called the Sea to Sky High Highway that was specifically designed (and copyrighted) for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. It is spectacular and whisks skiers, boarders, spectators – and probably an investor or two -up to Whistler Mountain, Whistler “Village” and beyond.
On our last day here we had a clear view of the majestic range of mountains that plummet into the sea and imagined, for a moment, the possibility of flying back up those mountains. Alas…the games were over and the predictions of 39,000 people departing from the airport made us realize we needed to leave. And needed a strategy for leaving without being mobbed by those crowds we’d survived on Sunday. I’m sure you found out that Canada won – but did you know the ENTIRE city came to a standstill when the game started and then turned into a city-wide party all night? EVERYWHERE was a sea of Red, red and white and maple leaves. Never has Canada been so proud. And you should never say that it’s just a game: if the United States had lost, we would recover by Monday, if Canada had lost, every generation of our northern neighbors would weep for at least four years. And probably not be polite about it.
In our last few hours, there was one last trip to the Granville Public Market for an astonishing, right-out-of-the-oven bagel, coffee and a salute to the harbor. I checked in with a dear friend, Anna Bananna, who has been my role model for wonderful, participatory art and a zany approach to life (she has a WHOLE different experience of the Olympic Invasion). We’ll be swapping notes. Packed and ready to go, we made it to the airport and discovered that the Canadians had, once again, organized everything to flow smoothly with lots of time for friendliness. Once last pin trade, a brief chat with Donald Sutherland in the U.S. Customs line and we are ready to re-enter the normal world.
We will be reliving these experiences for years and, if you check the photo gallery, we’ll be happy to explain any photo and PROMISE not to subject you to a slide show.
The flame is out and we are outta here.
