With that last entry, I spoke too soon. My friend called and invited me to go along with him to Vancouver the next day. It ended being one of the best trips I have had in a long while. Let me give you the narrative of the festivities and super-party scene:

When we first arrived by car over the Cambie Bridge, I couldn’t help but reaffirm my love for the Vancouver skyline. It is seriously one of the most futuristic and clean horizons of any city. I also love the people there. It’s a mix of all first generation Asian immigrants, Franco-Canadians, Australians/Kiwis, and Canadians who behave just as similar to anyone from Seattle (being so geographically close). So eclectic and worldly, it can’t help but inspire you.

After finding parking, we took the subway into the city center. Little did we know how packed EVERYTHING would be. To start, the train was filled with a sea of red and maple leaves, and as we ascended the steps of the City Center Station, it seemed as if the international community had amassed on the streets of downtown Vancouver. There were boards and signs on all the buildings. Every tower, store, car had a Canadian flag proudly displayed, and you could tell that a typically demure nation has transformed into something really proud – and really loud.

After wiggling through the crowds of people and attractions, we found our way to a Korean restaurant/bar where we were determined to catch the speed skating final for that night. If you don’t know, this is the sport that Koreans excel at, and their arch nemesis is no other than Washington Federal Way’s native son: Apolo Ohno. You’d think that thrusting yourself into the lion’s den would be suicide, but me and my friends had a good ol’ time rooting for the Red, White, and Blue while everyone got super-enthused cheering for their Korean heroes. Turns out, they won Gold & Silver, but Apolo won Bronze so the world is at peace. Overall, it was pretty entertaining watching everyone’s reactions throughout the night at this restaurant.

Afterward, we walked the streets of the city where we found debauchery as a common theme throughout the night. Literally, the entire downtown was free ground for pedestrians and nearly everyone wore red, held flags, or tied flags around their necks as capes – everyone had such Canadian pride. Twas a lovely sight. I can’t even begin to create an imagine through words that can describe how large the Olympics festivities were. THE CITY ITSELF BECAME A FAIRGROUND. Imagine Las Vegas for New Year x1000 ~ literally ~ but with much better reason for gathering and a sports undertone for everything going on. However, some extremely drunken people did ruin it for some moments as there were fights and general douche-bagery going on all over the place.

But my favorite part about our night walk was just sitting and relaxing at random locations around the city. It was nearly 1:00am and the streetswere still very well alive. Fireworks were being lit throughout the sky. People were jovially sitting and having conversations in the park. We picked up crepes at a side window and sat under a street lamp in the park. We people watched and observed what life in a big city should be like. Jubilation was the key, and Vancouver embraced every moment of it. They deserved it after all, even though we kept hearing anti-American chants every now and then from random Canadians. Something about the excitement in the air made me feel alive, and I was happy to be a part of something so international and significant for the global community. If I had not gone to Vancouver for the Olympics, I would have felt a void and probably would have posted a few more bitter entries. But now having gone, I can say that it was extremely worth it and am finally fulfilled – at least for the time being.