The Paralympic Closing Ceremony was awesome. It did not have the budget of the more elaborate Opening Ceremony of the Olympics, but nonetheless, it was a lot of fun. I think intimacy was the word. There were about 5,000 people inside the Whistler Medals Plaza watching the ceremony, and I sat next to the mother of a Polish sit-skier. We had a great time talking beforehand, and before you knew it, it was time for the athletes' procession. This was awesome in that I actually knew a number of the athletes by name, and Leonardo Martinez from Argentina, one of the athletes I got to know the best, was his country's flagbearer, walking right past where I was standing. Needless to say, I felt quite important exchanging pleasantries with him during the ceremony.
left- the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) president passes the IPC flag from the mayors of Vancouver and Whistler to the mayor of Sochi, Russia. right- before the ceremony, a large rain threatened to dampen spirits. Fortunately, the downpour subsided, and the rain was squeegeed off the carpeted ramp in mere minutes.
After the ceremony, I went back to the village to help out with the end-of-the-Paralympics party for the athletes. Our Plaza and Events team had an incredible time being a part of this farewell party for the athletes, and all the athletes were curious how I had the good fortune to attend their party (I was the only one who never changed out of this blueberry jacket...thus, I stuck out like a sore thumb...whoops!)
Cupcakes in the shape of a Canada flag at the end-of-Paralympics athlete party
Between the end of the Paralympics and last week, I spent some time in Vancouver searching for housing for part two of my trip, then I came back to Alabama for a bit to attend a luncheon at Auburn University. It was wonderful time indeed!
So, now I'm back in Vancouver, and the past two weeks have been primarily focused on finding a job. The tricky part comes in when employers find out my work visa expires in July. I worked a three day event at Reebok's outlet store in New Westminister. I got a job offer to work at a Boston Pizza during the event, but I just don't see myself enjoying the hour plus commute each way nearly every day. It still is an historic time to be up here. Yesterday, they deflated the air-supported fabric roof of BC Place. This is where the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic Games were held. It's been a distinct part of the Vancouver skyline for 28 years, and it came down yesterday. I missed the deflation, but here's a recap of the event:
I got a chance to look at the dome today. I must say, it's a little disheartening. The skyline definitely does not look the same, and though the retractable roof will be completed by August 2011, opponents of the $458 million taxpayer-funded renovation can't help but point out the fact that it rains in Vancouver nearly 1 in 3 days each year. Suffice it to say, the relevance of the retractable roof is debatable.
Until the adventures continue,
Brandon
P.S. - Now that I can legally show pictures of the Whistler Athlete Village, I present to you my snowman, Rodney! And in the background, you can see Team USA's residency for the Paralympics.
Days later, Rodney and I both question the sudden shift in temperature:
Don't worry...Rodney, just like Frosty, will be back next winter...I guarantee it (even if I have to make him out of SnowBiz ice)!
