I hated the streets closures, crazy security and overpriced stuff, not to mention the guys who “demonstrated” smashing windows (I still didn’t get what was their call).

But I loved the cosmopolite atmosphere, the joy and celebration in the air, the tourists from the entire world, the Canadians being proud and sustaining their team, and the great weather (not so good for snow sports actually). Is sunny, the spring is in the air, the summer is coming and we have all they eyes on our town.
I read some articles in the world media, criticizing the organizers and insinuating these Olympics are the worst. Well, I don’t feel the same. I think they should look in their garden first. I was here from the beginning and I can tell you how much all these people worked to do something good. And when I mean people, I mean all of them. Did you see in the pictures or on TV those wearing light blue outfits? They are volunteers, and they are thousands. This tells a lot about Vancouverites.

Below are the pictures I took walking the streets of Vancouver all these days. I’m afraid this is all from my side. In a few days we are leaving for a vacation so you should soon expect some images from Mexico ;)

Ah, and here is a story: an US comedian named Stephen Colbert said that Canadian are “iceholes” and “syrup suckers”. So they came to cheer him ;) I mean really cheer him. And a beer brand was born. Here ist the story and here about the beer… I don’t want to hear anybody saying that Canadians don’t know how to take a joke.

I’m proudly I’m belonging to this city. Good job people of Vancouver!

I wasn’t too excited until now, all this spending of money, commercialism and those things. Now I start to feel different because the city itself started to feel different. Is like for a few weeks Vancouver become the capital of the world. Even the people seem to be different.
I’m passing each day in front of Quatchi mascot (a pity they put there some huge cell phones advertisements) wishing the city will stay the same for the future – cosmopolitan, friendly and fun.

I have to teams I follow now: of course, Canada; and of course, Romania. No doubt, Canadians will win medals; they have all it takes, starting with well-prepared athletes and finishing with excellent training conditions.
Not the same with Romanians, which are having poor training conditions especially for the winters sports.

Anyway, I put a bet on:
Paul Constantin Pepene – Winner of U23 World Championships in Hinterzarten (Germany) – 15 km + 15km
Eva Tofalvi – the best Romanian on biathlon – 2nd place in the Individual event at the end of the 2008-09 Biathlon World Cup

One way or another, it feels good to be here!