Van-Laza Blogs

Over 30 million sold pins, $ 10 million in daily transactions of Visa International, and the maple leaf tattooed face as she waves a big stick. 2010 Winter Olympics is coming to an end in Vancouver. It’s almost time for local people to roll up their flags and return to the aftermath of the rains everyday life … and Quatchi pet to carve a new life away from the worship of attention. If you see the strong hold up a bar somewhere, buy him a drink and remember the good times.

Until then, there are still some parts they have. At least that’s the feeling on the street Saturday night when, despite a thin layer of rain, some 200,000 wide-eyed, five of the Ring fans are walking through the center. Red-flag caps, gloves, wool, curly afro wigs, and even whole team Canada hockey equipment (skates and, at times) – is the dominant color, while deliveries of heart tired, but Oh, Canada and a little less verbose “Go Go Canada” participate in the continuous boom-boom boom of drums invisible.

Chat with some of the guests still smiling, I gather some final impressions of how these games are gone.

“The energy was very good, especially just hanging around,” Kelly said Brabbins East Vancouver, captures the action from the night animated neon lights Robson Square rink with friends Sara and Jenny Moir Duke. City of Victoria, Moir added: “Everyone in Vancouver was super nice – not like normal – and I think I sang O Canada about 40 times.”

Duke, Alberta, expects the mood to stay positive when the last flame flickers in those Games.“I hope that patriotism continues. U.S. is so patriotic and that usually does not – it’s just nice to finally see here,” he said, casting his eyes on the ice, where a pair of cute all wrapped up less than five years learning to skate just yards away.

With great wash the Red Sea around tonight, the streets of – Canada and we men hockey final is still to come and there are plenty of chest thumping going on – not everyone here is a die-hard Canuck. City of Seattle for the last weekend of the Games, Derek and Kimberly Mack are part of the atmosphere in the crowded Granville Street. Derek is wearing his blue blazer U.S..“Canadians are very nice, but when they see that say they say they will pick me up tomorrow,” he said with a smile.

Heading to the U.S. House on Sunday to watch the big game, which have been hugely impressed by what I saw of the Games so far. “There is good power in the city,” says Kimberly, Derek, adding that “it is very familiar and the atmosphere on the streets is really incredible. I was in Salt Lake and is really down.”

Comparisons of this kind are inevitable in the coming weeks, but the fabric of the Olympic flame cauldron at the shores of Burrard Inlet, I meet someone from a country that has already been very critical. Some elements of the British press was highly critical organizational weaknesses, challenges and climate “Canadian chauvinism” of these Olympics, with the Guardian went so far as to label the “worst play ever.”

“I do not know what they say,” said Jackie Smith, armed with an umbrella of the Union Jack and the visit to London, home of the next Summer Games in 2012. “I think it was really great and well run. Things are always wrong at major events like this, but you just face it and go right?”

As for Vancouver? “I’ve been here before, so I know how beautiful it is, especially the mountains. I’m sure there will be many people who intend to settle here after the Olympics,” he added, addressing the camera rain speckled cauldron of fire for the final photo. Probably the best way to end any visit to the Games.