26 February 2010

the Vancouver Olympics



~this photo was taken through the window of the Aquabus - not great but it is such a gorgeous city! I definitely felt a pang of homesickness on this trip...



I snuck up to Vancouver for a night this week to experience all that is *Olympic*. I wanted to feel some of the excitement as well as take photos of a once in a lifetime event.

I stayed with my uncle, who lives at the center of it all - his sailboat is in False Creek and within walking distance (with the help of the Aquabus) to everything. It so happens that he also lives RIGHT underneath the fireworks that go off every evening after 11 pm.

I took the Aquabus across the water from Granville Island to the heart of Yaletown, where I was immediately surrounded by red. I had never been on the little water taxis before but think that I need to take the boys back as they were a great way to see the that part of the city from the water~








~There were so incredible yachts moored there - this one was especially GIGANTIC!


After visiting some of my favorite people ever, I walked around the city, taking photos of things that one would normally not see in Vancouver. There was a lot of activity, but I would guess that there is even more on the weekends (I was there on a Thursday). As I am not one for crowds, this was fine with me.



~the water taxis were busy running people back and forth




On my return trip I shared a water taxi with four athletes from Holland - amazing to see these young incredibly talented people~ I returned to Granville Island and spent time wandering around with my camera.




One thing that I did while I was there was work on shooting strangers. It does not come naturally to me to ask strangers to let me take their photo. This was obviously a fabulous venue in which to start, as people were excited and proud and more than happy to pose for photos in their patriotic gear! Even the Vancouver police were happy to pose with their motorcycles~





I really noticed is the amount of RED walking around! Even my uncle had a red belt and a red vest. Thankfully my mom had given me a pair of red Olympic gloves which I wore proudly.







~I loved this one! The Canadians weren't the only proud fans!





25 comments:

Rochelle said...

Yes, there is a lot of excitement going on in Vancouver...I myself am happy to watch the olympics from my living room an hour away! My kids on the other hand have made several visits to Vancouver to be a "part of" all the happenings.
Don't you just love Granville Island??
Cheers
Rochelle

Victoria Hayden said...

How fun and great you were able to be there! Glad you had a great time. Enjoy your weekend.

Hugs,
Victoria

Nikki said...

Beautiful photos! I contemplated heading up to see the fesitivies, but was just there last November. Such a party pooper. Hope had some crepes!

Mary said...

So jealous...how fabulous to get to take it all in from behind the lens. Sounds like a great trip! ~mary~

Tricia said...

Great shots and what a fun (and quick) getaway. I'll be sad when it's all over on Sunday...watching the events has been such a good family bonding thing for us.
Happy weeekend.
T

Blondie's Journal said...

How wonderful that you got to play a part in it all!!I love your pictures. Vancouver is truly one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

xoxo
Jane

A Gift Wrapped Life said...

So glad you were able to visit Canada and take in all the excitement we have for our wonderful country....it does my Canadian heart proud. XO

Sheila said...

Keep up the good work... enjoy your weekend :)

Smiles,
Sheila

donna baker said...

Looks so exciting.

Anonymous said...

What a thrill for you and an opportunity of a lifetime! Go USA!!!
Marcia

Debby said...

I am so jealous!!! Thanks for sharing your pics, awesome. My mittens just arrived in the mail today, yeah, so excited. I have been trying to get them since November, everyday sold out. Click on the Olympic site Sunday and it said they were available, put my order in and the goodie box arrived today in Ontario. They are the hottest item in our country for months now.
Debby

VM Creation Atelier said...

What a great post,dear Mimi!-)*

I has a feeling as I'v been there,so good!!!

All photos are also fantastic,I can image how much you enjoyed there!

Thak you very much for this beautiful trip to Vancouver!-)***

Love and hugs,

***Violetta***

1 Funky Woman said...

Oh those are some wonderful pictures. I almost feel like I am there walking around with you. I love how you took pictures of random people in all their excitement. Thanks for sharing!

Ciara Brehony said...

Oooh, looks like you had a lovely time! Is that your hometown? No wonder you sound so proud.

That first picture looks like a painting. Amazing!

NicNacManiac said...

Fantastic shots of a wonderful event! Your photos on the watertaxi were fabulous, I felt as though I was right there with you!
Thank you for sharing this perspective with us! xOxO Nerina

Lori said...

I love the sea of red we see on the TV screen every night. Of course I am sitting and cheering for the home team and think of my US friends often ~ especially when we beat you ~ lol. So glad you got a chance to head up and participate in the festivities. One of my Richmond customers keeps me abreast of the goings on and tells me how much fun they are having. So wish I could sneak over for a day ~ if only....

Have a wonderful week-end my friend. xo

koralee said...

Love your blog...I live in Vancouver and your images are amazing of my fair city. Yes..there is a lot of red and white but each country is wearing it's colours proudly. I am loving ever single moment and will be sad when everyone goes back home...thank you for visiting.Off to read some more of your loveliness..and congratulations I saw you in Romanic Homes. xoxoxo

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

Oh that baby in his little red hat! Such a cutie!

vicki archer said...

Looks like a very fun time...xv

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos of Vancouver. Although I'm Canadian, I've never been there (Montreal is quite on the other side of the country), but do hope to get there one day, as anyone that I know who has moved there, has never come back, and anyone who is from there, always wants to go back to live there.

BonjourRomance said...

Looks like so much fun. Great shots, especially that little cutie in the red cap!

Florence said...

What a great opportunity you had, I love Vancouver BC. Florence

Martha said...

Sounds amazing...how wonderful you were able to do that and right at a great time with the Olympics...just perfect like you said:)

Pandorah's Box said...

Oh Mimi! These were amazing pics! You are wonderful.

It made me especially happy to see these because I wish I could have been there! My aunt lives in Vancouver so I have visited once and loved it, but that was too long ago.

I have to say, I am proud to see all the red :D

xoxox

shabbyscraps said...

how awesome!!!!
gald you had a great trip...once in a lifetime for sure!
xoxo, Tiffany