Canadian Flag at Metrotown Mall
The streets, stores, billboards and malls of Vancouver were transformed this week in anticipation of the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics. But is there a Vancouverite out there that’s really excited about it?
Most of my friends associate the Olympics with impossible traffic, higher parking rates, a clogged transit system that’s already at capacity, and rising prices. In fact, the only good thing I can think of that’s a direct link to the Olympics is all the cultural centers that are going to be popping up – and that’s only because I expect there to be lots of great ethnic food at each one. I hope I’m not disappointed.
Go Canada Go! 
Are the events actually in the city or out somewhere like Whistler?
People are too cynical. Have you had the Olympics before? It might surprise you. I was in Sydney for the 2000 Olympics and it was awesome!
Did you live in Sydney at the time? I agree with my friends – the Olympics so far are causing nothing but trouble. They first said that during the Olympics we shouldn’t drive anywhere but take transit instead. Then, they announced that transit would have two hour wait times for regular commutes and that we probably shouldn’t bother with transit. Gee, what does that leave then if we can’t drive and can’t take public transit? They also told all the companies that operate out of the areas surrounding the Olympic village that they probably won’t be able to work during the Olympics unless they rented other business spaces outside of downtown Vancouver and no, they wouldn’t compensate for any of the costs. The company that manages my apartment building works in that area and as a result we have to wait until after the Olympics to get any of the AGM issues resolved for our building (including the security system upgrades). I’m not too pleased with the Olympics right now.
The events like the cultural centers should be within Vancouver. I’m sure they have other stuff up at Whistler though.