So I’ve received a number of requests asking what our Canadian swag looks like. Since there’s no way I’ll be modelling on the world wide web, here’s the next best thing. And you’ll see I wasn’t kidding about those pyjama pants! Only thing missing is a pillow fight 🙂
Today is a slow day so time to catch up a bit on the computer. There’s a massive mall which is directly across from the Olympic Village hotel, and just a 15 minute walk from the Media Hotel (where I am staying) so I decided to go over to grab some lunch and find some balloons and streamers for the Canadian Welcome Reception that we’re organizing for the team and any owners who are here. I still find it a bit strange to be halfway across the world but still see Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Starbucks and Haagen-Dasz. I’m trying to eat at the more Asian spots because I just love the food and want to take advantage while I’m here.
One thing I haven’t tried yet, but definitely plan to, is stopping at one of the food places that does crepes. You can get just about anything there, but the one that’s really catching my eye is the custard/banana/chocolate/whip cream crepe. Yum! I did stop at Haagen-Dasz to enjoy some cold & creamy deciliciousness. The woman in front of me was getting some hand-packed ice-cream and the girl was putting the carton into a foil bag with a bag of ice below and a bag of ice on top. I guess with outside temps reaching in the upper 30s, you want to make sure your ice cream is not soup by the time to get home!
One things that I’ve noticed while walking around Shatin, both inside and outside, is how incredibly clean things are. Which given that I can’t really find a lot of garbage containers while I walk around I’m not really sure how they manage that. It also feels incredibly safe to be walking around, even at night, which is a huge difference from Rio where you didn’t want to be walking anywhere by yourself.
a food display featuring Canada! I took a quick look and the feature included maple syrup, Schweppes ginger ale and Molson Canadian
the tall building directly behind the smaller white building is the Olympic Village Hotel. The haze you see isn't smog.....just my camera!
a walk/jog and bike path follows the river and many athletes (including Sandra Donnelly, Ashley Holzer and Jacqueline Brooks) regularly jog back and forth between the Olympic Village and the venue.
The Dressage horses arrived today direct from Aachen, Germany. Orion, Gran Gesto and Pop Art all stepped off the horse van looking super. 2 teams here and 1 more to go….the Jumpers who are scheduled to arrive August 4th. I don’t have any direct experience in flying horses, so it always amazes me at how well horses travel by air and step out with an expression on their face which seems to say “ok, so what’s next?”
The dressage team is almost complete, with everyone here except for Leslie Reid who arrives tomorrow. The barn is quickly becoming completely painted with red everywhere since Team Canada takes up more than 1/2 of the aisle with Russia and Belarus taking up the remaining stalls. It sure is pretty cool walking into the barn and seeing the maple leaf everywhere.
The venue is definitely becoming busier as it starts to fill up with horses, athletes and support staff. I have to admit that it’s pretty fun for me to see some of the ‘big names’ up close and personal, including Monica Theodorescu who walked past on Whisper. Can’t wait to see Mark Todd do his cross-country thing.
Pop Art and Holly
Gran Gesto and Lindsay
Orion and Bonnie
Orion scopes out the view
Gran Gesto checks out the white fluffy shavings while having his shipping gear removed
Feeling refreshed after a roll in the white fluffy stuff
It was just like Christmas today! Approx 40 suitcases of clothing was delivered to the Media hotel today (where I’m based) from Beijing containing the official Canadian Olympic Committee clothing. Let me back up for a second…..the suitcases were each in their own box, so 40+ boxes were delivered. So first job was to pull out the boxes for those who are already here and an outfitting session was scheduled in 2 hotel rooms (1 for girls, 1 for guys). The COC arranged for a tailor to come who could do any on-the-spot alterations which worked out quite well. Luckily the clothing sizes worked out for about 80% of everyone. For the other 20%, the COC is supposed to be sending a mixture of sizes on Saturday so hopefully people can swap to the size they need. This is the 2nd outfitting I’ve been through (2007 Pan Ams being the first) and it seems that you kind of hold your breath when you open the bag hoping that the size you asked for is in there. Then the second hope is that the size you asked for actually fits! With the exception of some shorts, I pretty much lucked in with the sizing.
Everyone was pretty happy with the clothing, and we no longer have to be jealous of the other countries who have been walking around in their nations’ gear. I personally think it’s way better than last year’s Pan Ams….much more red & white Canadian and they’ve incorporated chinese artwork and symbols. Not to mention some very cool metallic lettering on some of the t-shirts. I’m not to crazy about the psychedelic pyjama pants but who knows, they might grow on me! Although I think if a lot of us wear the pants at the same time, people might think that the Canadians are on their way to an overnight slumber party. 🙂
what my hotel room looked like once I had all the suitcases out of their boxes.
Supersize Anke & Salinero adorn a building
outside Penfold Park they have a circle of different coloured horses....all wearing actual leather bridles (pretty nice ones at that!).
famous Hong Kong Jockey Club racetrack......riders are permitted to gallop on the track. Now THAT must be fun!
Following Canada's Equestrian Team 