Did you enjoy the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics? Enough to purchase the music? Well, you’re in luck…
You’ll be able to find the music (download only) by going to ITunes. From there, type in the search engine "Sounds of Vancouver." The following music cover (shown on right) should come up.
There is one downside: You will need to purchase all 18 songs of the album for the price of $9.99. Commercialism at its best, but if you enjoyed the music from the Opening Ceremonies, it’s well worth it.
OIympic Dreams, Lee
Lee,
I was very interested to see the article in the Forum about your Olympic passion. I will be traveling from Fargo to Vancouver this week to attend my first Olympics. My first events are on Saturday the 20th and will be heading back home on the 26th. I look forward to reading about your insights on the Olympic experience. Any tips you can provide will be much appreciated
Vancouver:
I am hoping this is the best way to contact you. As to your question, here are some tips for you to consider:
IDENTIFICATION – Be sure to check and double check to see that you have all your credentials (visa, driver’s license, printout of ticket purchases, hotel confirmation, etc.) before even leaving for the airport. Check to make sure you have all your credentials or the trip will be a waste.
CONFIRMATIONS – Depending on how you purchased your tickets or made hotel confirmations, you should call ahead to at least your hotel to make sure you have confirmed reservations. Some attendees, in the past, have arrived to their destination only to find out that there was no solid reservations. It’s just a precaution that will make you feel more at ease.
TRANSPORTATION – Be sure to check out the transportation you will be using to get around to the different venues (in Vancouver and at Whistler). The SkyTrain is a great way to get downtown Vancouver, but also be aware of other transportation avenues.
BINOCULARS – Even at the indoor venues (unless you have seats in the front row), it’s nice to have a pair of binoculars to be up close to the action.
STRING BACKPACK – The larger the bag you attempt to bring into an Olympic venue, the more time it will take to get through. Plus any items brought into venues will need to fit under your seat. Consider bringing a string backpack that is flexible enough to fit under the seat but can also accommodate any items you need to bring into a venue.
HAND WARMERS – If you are going up to Whistler or going to the hockey/curling venues, it’s nice to have hand warmers with you; those one-time items you can buy at Scheels that you basically open to the air and they warm by themselves. Although Vancouver is temperate in temperatures, you will be at the indoor or outdoor venues for some time and it can get cold after awhile.
GETTING INTO VENUES – Take a moment to read the blog I posted, “What Does It Take To Get Into the Olympic Venues?”. It’s good information of what you can and cannot bring into venues.
SECURITY POUCH – Consider purchasing a security pouch so that you can keep your valuables (money, credit card, etc.) near your body and away from your pockets. Events like these bring out pickpockets and thieves (unfortunately). Better safe than sorry.
ITINERARY – Be sure to leave your itinerary and contact information (hotel information, cell phone) with family and friends. You will be in a foreign country and if there is a need to contact you, they will want to know where and how. Should your schedule be altered, family will need to know where you will be. Again, better safe than sorry.
CELL PHONE USAGE – Be sure to check before you leave the States to see that your cell phone has coverage in Vancouver. If not, then check with your phone service to see about extending your contract for one month of international use.
This would be my initial response to you as to tips in preparing for the Games. I hope this helps.
Oh yes, one more tip: Pack lightly and leave room in your luggage. There will be quite a few souvenirs and mementos you will want to bring home from Vancouver.
Olympic Dreams, Lee
Thank You Lee. Great Advice.