What a day yesterday! The usual early morning start, bus ride, security, check-in, briefing, marshaling of course but with a tinge of sadness and satisfaction added to everything we did. We were given an IOU for our last shift gift - a Swatch. Somehow they couldn't figure out how many volunteers were at the site so didn't have enough shipped in. It will be mailed to us. Our race had a mixture of great joy at Devon Kershaw's great result - oh so close to a medal - and disappointment - no opportunity to cheer on Brian McKeever. George Grey finished a respectable 18th. Alex and Ivan had their difficulties but both still have one or two more Olympics in them, I'm sure. The biggest disappointment was the non-race of Brian McKeever on top of the non-race of Brittany Webster on Saturday.
There were no fancy good byes within our team at the end of the race because many of our team members were anxious to get on the road or to the Blue Rodeo concert in Whistler. We grabbed our lunch (we finished just after noon instead of the scheduled 1 p.m.) and headed to the bus so that we could get home for as much of the hockey game as possible. Leaving the bus we knew that Canada had a 2-1 lead and made it home in time for the third period and overtime. Frankly, I could have done without the drama of overtime! The house was full of friends and it was a great way to watch this game. There was one American amongst us who took the ribbing in good stride. (He left the room when the Americans tied the game so that we wouldn't see him celebrate! Give him credit - the day of the first Canada vs U.S. game he said whoever lost that one would win the Gold and he was right.) After a quick BBQ we all settled down again to watch the closing ceremony. I was in stitches at the humourous sections and, if I hadn't been in a room full of people whom I don't know well, I would have probably have succumbed to the emotions I was feeling. (I know - that is no surprise to most of you.) I was very pleased at the public thank you to the volunteers by both Mr. Furlong and M. Rogge. I don't remember that happening at other Olympics (but then maybe I wasn't paying attention). The music at the end wasn't to my liking but the 'party' was for the younger generation and the rest of the show was grand. I thought Harper looked a little bored but Premier Campbell was sure pumped! I guess Michaele Jean had a better offer.
When it came time for Diane - the other volunteer who stayed here - to leave I started to tear up again. She is a very good friend of our hosts and loads of fun.
Life is getting back to normal in Squamish - the special Olympic buses are no longer running, Kyla is back to school, etc..
We've started packing, throwing out the mounds of paper we accumulated - daily newsletters for volunteers, daily schedules with position assignments, course maps, start lists, information from VANOC that doesn't matter anymore (like bus schedules). We're going to dinner with our host family this evening - their choice and they haven't decided where yet - possibly one of the golf clubs.
They will drop us at the Adventure Centre for our bus (ah yes, one more bus ride) to Vancouver Airport where we are meeting my sister (and her husband if he isn't working) and our nephew and his significant other for dinner before our red eye flight home. But there's no rest for the wicked - we'll be on site at Highlands Nordic on Friday to help with the Ontario Midget Championships! It is a slightly smaller event than the Olympics and we won't have to get up before 6:30 a.m.!
So...unless something really exciting happens to add to this monologue or we get a bunch more pictures worth posting, this will be the final post from Vancouver 2010 by Debbie and Richard (well, mostly Debbie). Hope you have enjoyed a bit of the inside story and I'm sure we'll be happy to talk about our experiences for some time to come.
Take care all. Get out there and stay active!
