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2010 Games Opening Ceremonies :: A Spectator's Angle
The 2010 Winter Olympic Opening Ceremonies took place friday night; what an exhilarating soiree filled with celebration, fanfare and reflection. Vancouver was (and is) excited. News reports confirmed over the course of the ceremonies, some 500 thousand people filled the streets of downtown Vancouver clad in red and white head-to-toe. I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity experience the Opening Ceremonies in person AND on home turf. But, sitting in the crowd wasn't a sit-back-and-relax type of role. The elated crowd was asked to participate in the show banging drums, creating the northern lights, illuminating 'fake' candles and donning light blue ponchos to create a canvas effect for the hundreds of images projected on to the 60,000 spectators. Here are some before, during and after photos showing the perspective of a spectator:
With security at an all-time high, getting into the Ceremonies resembled the security measures at an airport--and I was more than happy to oblige!
As the crowds were pouring in.
A close-up of the set for the Olympic ring jump preformed in the Ceremonies' opening sequence.
At the opposite side of the stadium upon which the live band and singers like Sarah McLachlan performed.
6:01pm. Everyone ready in their ponchos, anticipating the start of the big event.
Canadian Mounties about to raise the flag.
Raising of the 4 'ice' totem poles.
The totems stood with hands raised welcoming the world to Canada.
Flags projected onto the audience's ponchos.
Canadian athletes making their debut to a crowd with deafening fanfare.
The giant sparkling bear signifying the mystery and allure of the Canadian North. Notice the numbers on the screen above, telling the crowd--each with different numbers on their 'norther lights'--to shine them in the background.
Incredible totem poles created with giant white sheets and projected graphics.
Suspended skiers and snowboarders during the show's Olympic + Winter sequence.
Each sport projected onto the crowd.
The peaceful candle-effect created during KD Lang's Peace song.
The lighting of the cauldron.
The famed, mid-February love-fest day that conjures the following reactions: 1-yay, 2-ew, 3-whatever, is approaching.
Regardless of your reaction, this Valentine's Day lands both on a weekend as well as during the Winter Olympics. So if you're not enjoying the weekend off or watching Nordic Combined, Alpine Skiing or Biathlon, here are a few options to spice-up your day:
This installment of Travel iPhone Apps is a special edition given the 2010 Winter Olympics are only 4 days away! Since many people will travel to Vancouver in person or vicariously through their TVs, 3 billion viewers are expected to watch the 2010 Olympics. With this in mind, I thought the 2010Guide would be a worthwhile and timely app to feature!
Released just days before the games begin Feb. 12, the 2010Guide iPhone app is more than just an "official spectator guide", rather a multi-faceted tool everyone from anywhere can use. I have downloaded the app and it's bound to be my go-to, hand-held Olympic info hub.