Thank you, Vancouver, thank you Canada!

[Bluebear]

I have enjoyed the Winter Olympics! :hi:

[ThatsMyBarack]

1. Me, too!

:hi:

[jonnyblitz]

2. Vancouver is a nice city. My navy ship used to pull in there

for port visits back in the day. we "don't ask, don't tell" boys had loads of fun there. ;)

[sui generis]

3. I love Vancouver AND Whistler

The difference:

When you ski in Denver you run into RUDE Americans and Vail Resorts could care less if they ever see you again because there's always someone in line behind you.

When you go to Whistler, people are fantastically more polite and courteous on the slopes, in the Village, and everywhere in between. It's a nicer experience all the way around and it actually encourages people to be nicer.

The asshole-per-capita ratio is pretty low, compared to the big resorts here.

Vancouver - same thing - although it can also be "big city"-like at rush hour with crowded sidewalks, averted gaze, and sidewalk introversion, but that's more a factor of crowding than the spirit of a city.

[cilla4progress]

9. Also, far more international

You'll never know WHO you'll ride up with on the lifts at Whistler! Or what part of the world they'll be from. Same with the food, restaurants, all culture!

[Spazito]

4. Thanks, Bluebear! I am very proud, as well, that, for the first time in Olympic history...

there are two Pride Houses, one in downtown Vancouver and one in Whistler village. They offer "a safe and welcoming venue for gay and lesbian athletes, coaches, friends and families."


There is still a long way to go but I think this is encouraging!

Pride House: Safe haven at the Games

Pride House, in the heart of Vancouver's West End, is welcoming the world.

The first of its kind at an Olympics, the unofficial pavilion is tucked away on a quiet side street in Vancouver's gay village, striving to be an education centre and a safe and welcoming venue for gay and lesbian athletes, coaches, friends and families.

Canadian swimmer and former Olympian Mark Tewksbury, visiting Pride House during the Games' opening weekend, said such a venue would never have been tolerated when he was competing.

snip

A sister Pride House has opened in Whistler, a rowdy pavilion considered a popular party venue. Vancouver's Pride House is much quieter, located three kilometres (a 20-minute walk) from B.C. Place and the centre of the Olympic Village.

more

http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/story/2010/02/14/f-pride-house-olympics.html

[Jakes Progress]

5. K&R Agreed. Very well done.

[glinda]

6. Ditto

[Cetacea]

7. K&R

[gateley]

8. Spent a LOT of time in Vancouver in my early 20's -- right up the road from

Seattle. It's always been an exciting and enchanting city.

The shots of it during the Olympics were breathtaking -- reminded me of just how beautiful it is. Time to go back!