Seen at the Olympics 14

The Olympic Flame & Cauldron

It was so cool they had to open an observation area so that the clamoring tourists could get a better view of it.

Seen at the Olympics 13

Even lines for Japadogs

The only line for non-Olympic related things was for the Japadog...

...at 2 different locations even.

What is a Japadog? According to their website there are a few different versions:

One is Bratwurst with Edamame, Wasabi and dried seaweed. Having to ride a train for 4 hours home, I decided against something that may or may not make me sick. Next time I'm in Vancouver, I'm going to give Japadogs a try.

Seen at the Olympics 12

Lines, lines, everywhere lines.

This one is to see the Cauldron from above.

Who has 8 hours to stand in line for a zipline ride? I mean, seriously?

Though, truth be told, it did look like great fun.

Seen at the Olympics 11

HUGE Vinyl Signs...

...on the sides of buildings. Most of them were advertisements. This was one of the only cool ones. (And totally trumps "Seen at the Olympics 5.")

I"m not sure if this is vinyl or not, but it's pretty nifty as well.

Seen at the Olympics 10

The Infamous RED MITTENS

All of the Canadians had them (having purchased them around Christmas time). We lowly tourists had to wait in line for 3 hours just to enter the section of the store that may or may not have the red mittens in in stock.

Seen at the Olympics 9

Great Architecture.

&

&

&

The ceiling at the Vancouver train station.

Seen at the Olympics 8

I'm Batman!

Seen at the Olympics 7

This Billboard.

Saw this a few times - totally cracked me up!

Seen at the Olympics 6

Random Guy Riding a Unicycle in His Underwear

Yet another slightly creepy street performer. At least his socks match - kind of.

Seen at the Olympics 5

Canadian Flags hanging from ALL buildings.

Sometimes multiple flags. This one was a bit crude with the flag tied/stapled to an old 2 x 4. Mighty resourceful, those Canucks.

Seen at the Olympics 4

Shiny Silver Elvis

Street performers were around every corner. And some of them were a bit creepy.

Seen at the Olympics 3

Kid drawn lantern with Strong Bad on it.

The non-kid drawn lanterns made reference to these things being called luminaries. But they aren't. They are lanterns. Whatever the Canadians choose to call them, I hope the kid that drew Strong Bad on it knows just how cool a kid they are.

These are luminaries:

Seen at the Olympics 2

Crazy Canadians watching Hockey in the pouring rain.

More Crazy Canadians...this time watching the Canada vs. Russia Men's Hockey game outside in the pouring rain.. It started with a couple of hundred people and by the time I left there were SO MANY people watching the game that I couldn't get out of the amphitheater area to go catch the train back to Seattle. I felt like Inigo Montoya with the "Excuse me. Pardon me, it's important." and wished for Fezzik with his: "Everybody move!"

If I hadn't learned already by spending 2 days with Jon and his constantly looking for Hockey highlights: Canadians sure like their Hockey. Pouring rain, I tell you, POURING.

Seen at the Olympics 1

Crazy Canada Hats!

Not only the crazy Canada hats, but crazy Canadians with their faces painted and with flags tied around their necks or wearing the flags as jackets.

I don't remember this much USA stuff at the Salt Lake Olympics. But I could be wrong.

By the way: Hooray Canada! So excited you did so well.

New Feature: Seen at the...

We're starting a new feature here at Ranee Days and Mondays called "Seen at the..." in which I will share what I have seen at different places at which I have been. We'll be starting with the Olympics in Vancouver 2010. I rode the train up from Seattle and spent about 6 hours in Vancouver hanging out with the world. For the next few weeks you'll see some of what I saw. Enjoy!

The Inuksuk