Even at Myriam Laroche’s Eco Fashion Show on Friday night, Olympic red was evident. Red has taken over the city. Today on the 4th Avenue bus there were two very well dressed women wearing their homage to patriotic red. Puffy quilted designer vests, a red silk scarves paired with Rock & Republic jeans and Stiletto boots. I admire anyone who can wander around Granville Island wearing Stiletto boots.

I walked from the Main Street Skytrain station to the Yaletown Skytrain station looking for Olympic Red fashion. The outfits ranged from over the top hockey jersey and matching wigs to the fashionable woman I met near Soich House in her red wool jacket and white Quebec house scarf. The youngest fashionista was out for a walk with her dad in her chic hockey jersey and toque.

Bonnie Sainsbury is a Social Media Strategist and co-founder of Duet Media. She ventured out in non-designer jeans (on sale), a long-sleeved red T-shirt she found in her closet, her favorite black vest with a white fleece scarf (also on sale).

Hasn’t this been a party? Everyone I speak to says the same thing. The Olympic experience is so far above anything they could have imagined. Yes, there are long line-ups and packed skytrains, endless security checks and people everywhere you go. It’s an opportunity to be meet new folks and to renew old friendships and celebrate as a family. Last night I gave directions to three women from Langley who hadn’t been to the downtown core for at least 10 years! Welcome and I hope you come back soon.

As the games wind down, it’s time for all of us to personally thank the folks who made our party possible; the bus drivers, the smurf volunteers, the policemen, traffic control and yes the folks who manned the endless security checks. Anyone I’ve forgotten?

My challenge to you is to take the time to chat up and thank three people each day who made it possible for you to enjoy the games. Okay, don’t chat up the bus driver while he/she is driving, but don’t forget to shout out “Thank You” as you exit the bus. It’s a Vancouver thing.

See .. wasn’t that easy? And you’re going to meet the most amazing people.

Bonnie Sainsbury is a Social Media Strategist and co-founder of Duet Media who’s thankful for all those folks who helped make her Olympic experience as great as it has been.

How did you get involved with the Metro Blenz News Squad?

I had actually planned on spending this time in Palm Springs avoiding the Olympics.  That’s where I was when I received a call from Adam Schelle,  a professional photographer I have known for some time. I have some background as a Photojournalist for the Vancouver Courier and the North Shore Weekend, and  this project gave me the opportunity to pursue my passion and do some street photography…which I couldn’t resist.

Which of you blog posts was your favorite ?

My favorite post was also the most challenging blog post, so far, and had to do with Religion at the Olympics. My first encounter of this occurred when I was out-and-about with my daughter, and we came across a man who was using collectible pins as the lure for his own brand of religious dogma.  I listened and observed, and had to question his approach as he ‘pitched’ to passersby, attracting children with his ‘gifts’. The price was in the listening, as he skillfully wove his own brand into the story he was telling. That made me wonder what other religions where doing at the Olympics, and I noticed a big difference as I encountered representatives of other faiths.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses were very transparent about their purpose, and the Ismailis could not have been more helpful – like the other great volunteers we met.

I have been surprised at the sheer number of stories I have bumped into, so far, and there are still a few days to go.  It’s all about the people, like meeting the parents of a French mogul skier, looking for directions.  Best of all has been the opportunity to explore Vancouver with my Son and daughtet and to share this Olympic experience with them.

What’s your Olympic memory so far?

I have been surprised at the sheer number of stories I have bumped into, so far, and there are still a few days to go.  It’s all about the people, like meeting the parents of a French mogul skier, looking for directions.  Best of all has been the opportunity to explore Vancouver with my son and daughtet and to share this Olympic experience with them. To write my own blog post about it was rewarding and then to have it published let me show off for my kids!

What’s your take-away from the Olympic /MBNS experience?

My take-away from the MBNS 2010 experience has been that I can write, as well as take photographs. My wife Jessica is a talented writer, so I have tended to rely on her for commentary.  Now I am inspired to do more writing myself, and to revive my how-to photography blog.

More about Toby

Toby is a freelance photographer/writer based on Mayne Island, BC. His passion for photography is photojournalism and is always looking for an opportunity to find and record the story behind the story. His art photography is available through hiswebsite or retailers on the Gulf Island and Sidney, BC. Currently he is writing a book and maintaining his blog “How to turn snapshots into photographs“. On March 20 he will be giving a lecture   and demonstration in Victoria, BC entitled Provocative Exposure: The moment intensified focusing on high dynamic range photography, a new and exciting way to expand the dynamic light range of a photograph.

My journey actually started yesterday. I rode the Olympic Line from Granville Island to Cambie Station (Olympic Village Station on Canada Line). There was a steady stream of people wanting the same experience.

Today I had three destinations, House of Switzerland Canada 2010 located at Bridges Restaurant on Granville Island, LEONARDO DA VINCI: THE MECHANICS OF MAN at the Vancouver Art Gallery and check out some patriotic fashion at the A&N Boutique (Army and Navy) in New Westminster.

I’m considering this my beta trip. I plugged my Nikon into the A/V outlet last night to charge it. That’s how you charge an iTouch, not a camera. Read the directions. No photos on this trip.

The Army and Navy department store is a Vancouver landmark known for their designer shoe sale. They also have killer prices on patriotic fashions. More and more, I see red and white Canada jackets, sweatshirts, sweaters and scarves. Their sale starts on Wednesday the 10th with Canada hoodies and sweats starting at $9.99. Much easier on the wallet than the $40 to $75 in other stores. These are not investment pieces.

I arrived at House of Switzerland to discover it’s a restaurant with the Swiss Flag draped on the roof. There are no exhibits, but there is Swiss music, free chocolate, Swiss water and coffee and a charity auction. I wasn’t the only one who was confused, most folks arriving at the restaurant expected exhibits.

I had lunch at Granville Island. I often do this as it’s practically in my back yard and there is always a celebration. Lunch cost $9.20 for wonton soup. This seems quite high to me, although I couldn’t tell you how much it cost before today. Note to self:  Purchase fruit, a bun and meat from the vendors and “make” your lunch. Healthier too I suspect. Must ask Cari-Lee Stevens next time I see her.

I hopped the Olympic line and then the Canada Line to the Vancouver Art Gallery. The Da Vinci exhibit is not free until the 12th. Read the directions. Again, there was a lot of confusion about when it was free. I paid the $19 to see the exhibit without the crowds. I’m a Da Vinci groupee.

“Though human ingenuity may make various inventions which, by the help of various machines answering the same end, it will never devise any inventions more beautiful, nor more simple, nor more to the purpose than Nature does; because in her inventions nothing is wanting, and nothing is superfluous” Da Vinci

Da Vinci’s anatomical drawings are stunning. The fact that he drew them 500 years ago is almost beyond comprehension. I first saw Da Vinci’s original work in museums in Italy and I felt the same awe today as I did five years ago.

In every room there are large posters of with instructions to other illustrators. Several artists were sitting on the floor attempting to re-create the drawings.

My recommendation is this is a must-see. The exhibit is from Queen Elizabeth’s private collection and hasn’t been displayed publicly before.

My ticket also allowed me admittance to Visceral Bodies, an exhibit of contemporary artists exploring the human form. Interesting, but Da Vinci is a hard act to follow.

Using the existing Downtown Historic Railway, these 100% low-floor modern streetcars will operate on the 1.8-km of upgraded rail infrastructure. The upgrade is the result of an $8.5 million investment by the City of Vancouver with a $500,000 contribution from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the administrator of Granville Island.

Even at 4PM on Sunday, we got on the next train. Everyone’s in a great mood and talkative. Lots of families are out and about and I haven’t seen that many people at the Olympic Village Canada Line station. The trip takes less than 5 minutes, but it’s worth the ride if you’re in the area. The ride is quiet and smooth. Maybe we should consider a streetcar from the Skytrain station on Clark to UBC.

The trip takes less than 5 minutes, but it’s worth the ride if you’re in the area. The ride is quiet and smooth. Maybe we should consider a streetcar from the Skytrain station on Clark to UBC.

Lots of folks out and about. This is the first time I’ve seen the Olympic Village Canada Line Station this busy.

The only sad note was the fellow traveller whose wallet had “gone missing” from his pocket somewhere.  Stay Alert – we knew this could happen.

On the Canada Line, I saw several luggage-laden folks headed to the Airport – avoiding the rush, I suppose.  Photographer Scott is headed to Viet Nam for a month, blogging about his trip along the way; Nikki shares that she is staying here, and sometimes puts her photos on a blog.  Both of them had their cameras out and focused, as did a local News Celeb (could that be Ian Hanomansing – setting up a piece with a CBC cameraman in attendance?).  It was interesting to see them at work.  Note to self: watch tonight’s  CBC evening News!

Our streets are filling…..with cameras and things.  Stay alert, so those things don’t belong to you.

Together, they were a mini-United Nations, gathered from around the globe – two from Eastern Canada, one from Houston, Texas, two from Europe and another from Australia. They were marketing managers, product development supervisors, a truck driver, a product design specialist – an engaging assortment of interesting people, looking forward to their responsibilities over the next three weeks.

It was my pleasure to be the ambassador here, the one on her ‘home turf’ who could say “Welcome” and “Enjoy your stay”.  We are so lucky, I think, to have so many chances to make new acquaintances and share smiles along the way.  In the lottery of life, being born a Canadian has to rank high on the ‘winning ticket’ list.  In this case, it came with a fun experience……and my very first Olympic pin!   The “Red Birds” have landed; who knew that would happen today?

How do I know this for sure?  Well, I have this from the very best of sources.  You see, I talk to Smurfs! That is not my name for them; I am talking about the 25,000 volunteers who are now roaming our streets, riding our buses, taking our trains, and wearing their beautiful Olympic-colored suits, which one of them described to me as “making them look like Smurfs!”.  They are certainly a beautiful shade of not-quite-turquoise-blue, complete with those famous 5 intertwined rings, and they are outstanding as well as standing out in the crowd.

My newest passion in transit is to talk to a Smurf, and – so far, at least – that campaign has been successful.

I have met a banker on leave from his bank in Toronto, a teacher here from Calgary, and – just yesterday – an interesting fellow from the United States who, in his non-Smurf life, runs high-tech companies.  I know a few more of these generous souls personally – realtors, former Olympians, retirees – and they have several things in common.

They love people, they care a great deal, they share a true pride in their countries, and they want to be involved. They also deserve our smiles, our greetings and our grateful support for helping to get this remarkable job done!

Be a sport yourself, I’d say – find a Smurf and greet them today!  Just look for the folks in blue.

Vancouver has easily-accessible and free wi-fi.  Three coffee chains provide free wireless in Vancouver. Blenz and Waves chains  provide hassle-free wireless to customers. Starbucks also provides 2 hours of free wireless but you need to sign up for an account. I found their procedure overly complex and I’ve been successful only twice using the free Starbucks service. I’ve created a Google map to locate Blenz and Waves coffee shops in the lower mainland. Blenz map is here and Waves map is here. Some of the coffee shops have passwords installed, just ask the staff.

Bonnie Sainsbury a Social Media Strategist and Principal in Duet Media. She regularly uses free wireless in Blenz Coffee Shops to communicate to the world on her iPod Touch and Wind netbook.

Check out the map here.