Coastal cruise - the train ride to Long Beach California May 6- 7

MAY 2010 COASTAL REPOSITIONING CRUISE ONBOARD THE GOLDEN PRINCESS - LOS ANGELES TO VANCOUVER BC MAY 9 - 14 2010

PART ONE - THE TRAIN RIDE FROM VANCOUVER TO LONG BEACH CALIFORNIA MAY 6 - 7, 2010

Having decided to take this trip only a week earlier after having received a super offer fromPrincess Cruises I put together my transportation part of the trip rather quickly.

It would entail a bus ride to Seattle - overnight on the train to Sacramento then by bus to Stockton and then coach rail to Bakersfield and then bus to Long Beach - by doing it this way I saved over $100.00 by not needing the sleeper for the second day and also arrived about 5 hours earlier as this is a more direct albeit a much less scenic way.

I took a taxi to the train station in Vancouver because of the 5:30 AM bus departure - having to detour around an accident on the Knight St Bridge added a few minutes to the trip - the border was quick - I used my new enhanced driver’s license instead of my passport to see how the process worked - other than the usual questions there were no problems and we were clear of the border in less than fifteen minutes and on our way to Seattle.

Arrived in Seattle on time and after only a few minutes wait it was boarding time on the train - it is a full train as there is a large travel group on it.

The Wi-Fi wasn’t working on the train and other than a one hour delay outside of Eugene Oregon to fix an engine problem which put us almost 90 minutes behind schedule it was an uneventful ride to Sacramento - we made up most of the time overnight - I slept well - we were only fifteen minutes late into Sacramento. Was able to use free wireless there.

Originally I was to have a four hour layover but I saw another couple from the train who said they were taking a bus in thirty minutes to Long Beach - after enquiring from the station master I was able to change my times - Amtrak likes to keep a certain amount of time between scheduled times because of lateness etc thus the longer lay over.

So it’s onto the bus and the short 45 minute ride to Stockton where our train was thirty minutes late to arrive because of switching problems - we did make up most of the time and arrived in Bakersfield only ten minutes late - then it was onto the bus one last time for the trip into Long Beach with stops in Glendale and downtown LA’s Union Station before being dropped off at Denny’s in Long Beach.

I then walked the 10 blocks to my room at the Vagabond Hotel and the first leg of the trip was complete.

Some bubbly to start off the train trip with.

Bakersfield California station

View coming into LA on the bus from Bakersfield.

Final Olympic thought and photo April 18, 2010

Well it has been almost a month since the end of the Paralympic Games and I have been trying to decide just how to wrap up this wonderful experience here on this blog - there are so many memories, images etc that I could probably go on for days trying to recap the feelings that I felt but rather than do that I have posted the signed certificate from all the members of the Slovakian delegation - these posters were given to all teams to sign and give to their assistants - mine now hangs proudly on a wall next to my retirement one.

I did also received a swatch, a bottle of white wine and a $25.00 gift card from VANOC for finishing my assignment - which I put to good use at Zellers getting a much needed new pair of sandals.

All of the us assistants with this delegation were also given a signed special edition book outlining the history of the Slovaks at the Olympic and Paralympic Games - and a gift bag with special pins and pens + a good looking Slovak ball cap.

The Games are over but the memories will remain for a lifetime - am seriously looking at applying for a volunteer role in a similar position with the London 2012 Games as I was looking at a trip to Europe to celebrate my 65th that year.

But that is another story that is yet to be put into action - only an idea at the moment and with me not flying a bit more of a challenge since I need to ensure that I can get a trans-Atlantic cruise both ways.

With Glowing and a sadden Heart I say goodbye to Vancouver 2010 - we assistants are having a small wind up party next week at the VANOC headquarters and there is a Facebook page for us to use to keep in touch.

Cheers

D

Preview of the new YMCA April 1, 2010 Part 1

Last Thursday as a member of the YMCA Endowment Fund I was part of a select group of supporters to partake in the first preview showing of the new downtown YMCA which will reopen for business on May 3, 2010.

For the past 3 + years a new facility has been taking shape on the grounds of the old building - the facade with its heritage value has been preserved and upgraded to meet current standards.

This is a rather long look so it is divided into two parts with commentary with each of the images.

I hope you enjoy these two pages of my blog and I hope to see some of you at the new facility when it opens.

The new building will serve the diverse community of Vancouver - in addition to the athletic facilities, it will house our community services and international development programs and also have a two story family and child development center capable of handling 69 child care spaces + community kitchen and meeting areas.

Lets begin the tour with this look at the Burrard St south entrance which now boasts an accessible ramp.

The main entrance to the building will be on Barclay street and you will go up a half flight of stairs to the membership entrance, coffee shop which is in the same location as before.

Please remember that we only got possession of the building from the contractor a week ago so there is still much work to be done on the inside in preparation for the grand opening.

FIFTH FLOOR - FAMILY AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER:

I then take the elevator up to the fifth floor - the public part of the family development center where we will all meet, have some snacks courtesy of the new food service provides, get officially welcomed and then are broken up into groups of ten for the tour - most of my group is made up of long time Y members who I know very well. I invited my god mother along as my guest and she was part of this tour as well.
Being officially welcomed as the first group to tour the new facility.

Helping ourselves to some of the food provided - it was also a time fro me to renew some acquaintances that I hadn't seen in some time.

This is the playground or public area on the fifth floor - this floor can be used to house events.

SIXTH FLOOR - CHILD CARE CENTER AND SECURE AREA:

Then it was up one floor to the child care center - this will be a secure area with card access only.

It is fully equipped with a kitchen - sleeping area

Outdoor play area with great views of the downtown core.

FOURTH FLOOR EXERCISE AREAS -

There are two large exercises areas that take up most of the fourth floor as well as the program offices where you will find Debbie C and her staff - the equipment hasn't been installed yet as there is still some finishing work to be done.

You also get a good view of the gym from this floor - each floor is bright and airy.

This is the end of part 1 See Part 2 for the remainder of the preview.

Preview view of the new YMCA April 1, 2010 Part 2

PART TWO - COURTS AND GYM PREVIEW:

There two racquet sports courts in the building - they will have a movable wall so that they can be converted from handball to squash - some of us were trying to figure out just how this will work but Fred Inglis assures us it will be by opening day.

LOCKER TOUR - FIRST UP - WOMEN'S MEMBERSHIP PLUS:

One of the new additions to the facility is a fully equipped women's membership plus locker area complete with a lounge, Internet access, whirlpool and steam bath - the showers are private unlike the men where there is a mixture of open and private - towel service will also be provided but there will be no storage baskets or overnight lockers usage allowed. All lockers will have their own key - it will work this way - you open a unused locker and put your Y card in a slot which will release the key - after putting your clothes etc away you close the locker and remove the key - it will be interesting as to how they will address the issue of those who go out for a run and won't have there cards to scan to get back in.

SWIMMING POOL AREA:

It is a 25 yard pool l- slightly larger than the old one - it has a movable floor at one end and uses a UB light process which cuts down on the amount of chlorine that is needed. There is a steam bath and whirlpool on the pool deck for the general membership to use.

2ND FLOOR - COMMUNITY SERVICES AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICE AREA

The old office and meeting rooms on the second floor have been refurbished and will be use by this department for there many program thrusts including the connections program that I am a part of.

Membership office area.

MEN'S MEMBERSHIP PLUS LOCKER ROOM:

It's like it's counterpart in the Women's except that it is bigger.

While I didn't take any pictures of it there is also a family change facility on the main floor.

Families are expected to be a much larger part of the programming than in the past for two reasons - we now have the facilities to provide it and because of the large increase in families in the downtown core. Child minding will also be available.

This concludes the tour of the new Y - hope that you have enjoyed these two pages of details and images.

Cheers

Dennis

A break from the Games reports - a sign of spring in Surrey March 24, 2010

While trying to kill about a three hour wait to get to see my old Doc in Surrey I headed over to Green Timbers Park to catch some fresh air and was reminded that spring is upon us as soon as I got out of the truck - here are a few of the sure signs of spring from that location.

Cheers

Dennis

A Royal Visitor at the Whistler Athlete's Village March 20, 2010

We were blessed with a visit by Prince Edward - the Earl of Wessex today at the athlete's village - he first stopped at the truce wall - which I missed - and then headed for the Athlete's Lounge and Gym which he toured - this is were I was first able to catch a glimpse of him - security was light and there were no restrictions on taking photos - while the visit was official there was little in the way of pomp and ceremony - no red coated Mountains and except for the Mayor of Whistler few politicans - he then proceeded across the road to the #2 Workforce dining hall where about 150 lucky volunteers were able to have luch with him - reports indicate that he refused to sit at a head table and instead join a table of volunteers for lunch - same menu as the rest of us had today - soup, salad, tuna melt sandwich, hash browns and a chef's special which was a type of stew - sorry can't comment on the meal as I choose to do the Big Mac routine.

After about 45 minutes of singing and talking to the volunteers it was time to loeave and here he is walking with the Mayor - right blue jacket - one of the Paralympic Village mayors and some aide or something in the green dress.

Strolling to his motorcade which consisted of all of three cars

Final goodbyes and he did wave to those of us who had gathered to see him off - when ask where his wife was he retorted - at work - someone has to pay the bills

Off to a meeting more later.

Cheers

Dennis

A golden moment March 14, 2010

Much like the Canadians celebrating the winning of their first goal medal on home soil in the Olympics - the people of Slovakia are waking up to news that one of there athlete's has won that country's first Winter Paralympic Gold medal touching off a few hoots and hollers around our office in the Village.

Jakub Krako won the Gold in Alpine Skiing - Men's Slalom - Visually Impaired by more than a second over the second place finisher.

The delegation was even more happy to have a fourth and a fifth place finish as well. They missed the bronze by less than .06 of a second.

While Jakub wasn't the favorite to win the medal obviously the delegation is extremely pleased with the results today.

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Finally starting to get a few things done - gassing up the vehicles - escorting the delegation to the events and now that we have a pass we will also have access to the VIP section at certain venues.

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Starting to snow hard again this evening - actually we don't need snow - there is plenty on the ground at the venues - sunshine or at least cloudy and no fog is what is most needed.


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Hard to believe that in one week there will be the closing ceremonies and then clean up and the experience of a life time will be over and it will be back to the usual comfort zone.


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Did spend some time in Whistler Village the other night - nicely lit up - checked out the medals presentation area and while they were rehearsing one of the segments all of a sudden there was the sound of a very familiar song being played - YMCA - and those outside were dancing to the words of the song.

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Hoping to take Wednesday off for my final rest day before the Games end - this could change if the delegation gets busy with multiple requests etc.

More later

Cheers from Whistler

Dennis

Photos from the traditional welcoming ceremony in the Athlete's village March 8, 2010

All nations participating in the Games partake in a traditional welcoming ceremony at the Athlete's village - here are a few images from some of the ceremonies held yesterday.

After a greeting by the Four Host First Nations - some welcoming speeches and gift exchanges, national anthem and flag raising there was some brief entertainment that got everyone dancing and cheering.

Sumi - the official mascot for the Paralympics greets members of the Japanese delegation whose ceremony was held earlier in the day under sunny and warm skies.

At 1800 hours it was time for the Slovakian and Czech Republic presentation - we walked through the Village to the Welcoming Plaza and then stood to the side as the official part of the presentation took place. Once the official part was finished and the entire ceremony is only about 25 minutes long we then joined in the festivities.

The raising of the Slovak flag and the singing of their National Anthem.

One final pose and then it was in from the cold - it had dropped to below freezing by the time our ceremony was done. The Slovak jackets were also the same color of blue as ours and they look real sharp.
After the ceremony it was time for dinner and then a quiet evening before boarding a bus and heading to Vancouver on Tuesday morning.

Cheers

Dennis