Tag Archives: Winter Games

(not so) Ordinary Heros

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by @bsainsbury

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.

Toby Snelgrove – @tobysnelgrove

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toby 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.

The Games on a Dime – Day Two

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dime Okay, it’s not really a dime, but it’s a catchy title. Tickets to opening games can cost over a thousand dollars each and tickets to popular events such as hockey cost just as much. What economic slump? As I was commenting on the cost of Olympic tickets, a friend of mine told me there were plenty of free events. My quest has started. I’ll be attending as many free and inexpensive events as humanly possible over the next few weeks.

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.

Major Olympic sponsor Coca-Cola brings staff from all over the world

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What a great ride!  I just shared the front car of the Canada Line with six of Coke’s representatives.  Splendid in their Santa-red jackets – that wonderful clear red that just happens to be my favourite colour – they were wonderful spokespeople for their company and its culture.  Indeed, it made me reflect that their company’s global employee roster probably outnumbers the population of several nations.

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?

I talk to Smurfs – welcome the world to Vancouver!

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Well, it’s finally here!  After all the rhetoric, arguments, ups and downs, hypes and lows…..it’s here! We are going live in Vancouver, in February 2010, and the world is truly arriving on our doorsteps..

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.

Thoughts on a train

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…well, actually, that should read “thoughts on a Canada Line train”, because that’s what I was riding yesterday.  I live in Vancouver, Canada, where we will soon host the world for next year’s Winter Games.  In preparation for that event, one of the new and exciting advantages our Greater Metropolitan Area now boasts is a world-class addition to our Skytrain system (our legacy from hosting Expo 86), running from our downtown harbour core to the Vancouver International Airport (YVR).  That has been named the ‘Canada Line’ (sorry – I don’t know either….).

Now, for those of you who live outside our city, you should know that most of this transit rail line runs underground, so ‘taking the train’ is also a bit like spending some time in a time capsule.  It is its own little microcosm, a sort of ‘thin slice’ of our city and the people in it, and every ride has a flavour all its own.

Yesterday, I rode and sat and listened to my fellow riders.  It was dinner time, my car filled with people going home from work or however they spent their day.  Some travelled alone in thought, some nodded silent greetings to others, many were occupied in some sort of electronic exchange – iPods, cell phones – and a few were engaged in actual conversations.  What struck me most was that it was not until I had exited my train that I heard a single word in my own language.

A young couple with their baby in a stroller were talking to the baby, each other, and – in passing – to me.  I love that about this city: every day I can be exposed to so many different cultures and cuisines, languages and histories.  It made me wonder about other people’s experiences travelling today.

Did you take a bus in Surrey, ride the SeaBus to North Van, cycle in White Rock, park your car in Langley, walk around Deep Cove, take a ferry from Horseshoe Bay, rollerblade around Stanley Park?  What did YOU see and hear?

Where else did YOU go?  Did you take the subway in New York, ride the Marta in Altanta or take the train from the airport into downtown Athens, Greece?  Maybe you walked in Picadilly Circus or took a stroll in Beijing.  I hope you had a pleasant time and shared a smile along the way.  Please take a moment to share YOUR experience with me; write a comment and give us a ‘thin slice’ of your world today.