Bursting With Canadian Pride

The opening ceremony was held Friday night to kick off the 2010 Winter Olympic Games being held in Vancouver, Canada. One word: Amazing!!!

As host country, the Canadian team was the last to enter the stadium, led by flag bearer Clara Hughes. Of course it goes without saying that the Canadian athletes were wearing the best outfits!! I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of the red parkas and pom-pom toques on the podium over the next few weeks.

Go Team Canada!!

Photo courtesy of VancouverSun

Olympic Torch Relay Comes to Toronto

The Olympic Torch arrived in Toronto on Thursday evening, and it was a moving experience to witness such a symbolic event. With the Christmas lights illuminating Nathan Phillips Square, a large crowd gathered in front of City Hall to catch a glimpse of the cauldron lighting ceremony. It was a cold evening, and although the relay ran into some logistical delays, the hearty Canadians never complained during the 49 minute delay.

The torch finally arrived in the square, hoisted high by Olympic medalist Vicky Sunohara, member of Canada's women's ice hockey team in 1998, 2002 and 2006. Her arrival was greeted by a round of cheers and jingling tambourines. After the Olympic cauldron was lit on stage, the Canadian Tenors performed a beautiful rendition of O Canada, accompanied by the very patriotic crowd. It was an emotional moment in Canadian Olympic history which I will always remember.

Vicky Sunohara arrives with the torch.

Lighting the cauldron.

The Olympic Cauldron.

My souvenir tambourine.

Olympic Torch in Bridgenorth

I may be a city girl now, but the first half of my life was spent in the picturesque hamlet of Bridgenorth, located about 150 kilometres northeast of Toronto. Today, December 16th, 2009, will be a big day for the small community, with the Olympic Torch scheduled to pass through town along Ward Street starting at 9:52 am. Go Bridgenorth!!

Visit the Olympic Torch Relay Interactive Map here.