Shining World |
The Olympics are one of my favorite events, and visiting the 2010 Winter Games in Canada was absolutely dream-like. I arrived in time to see the Olympic flame reach Vancouver city center and fireworks galore. It was stunning, the city did a great job. Some wonderful friends of mine in Vancouver managed to get Opening Ceremony and figure skating tickets, as well as a special Whistler highway pass for me, which was more than I could have ever asked for. I’ve always loved Vancouver, and the magical Olympic “world peace culture” in the air made it even more beautiful to visit this time.
The Opening Ceremony had so many breathtaking moments my heart was on overload. The magnificent “Both Sides Now” presentation made me cry, and KD Lang’s rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” surrounded by 60,000 candles was breathtaking. The entire Opening Ceremony was filled with powerful joy. I always feel happy at the Olympics, as if world peace has come true. I wish the whole world could know that feeling every day. So much goodness packed into one frame of time and space.
I was also fortunate to see Apolo Ohno skate some ice off! He became the most decorated Winter Olympian in US history and deserves the honor. For Valentine’s Day I saw the pairs figure skating, very appropriate for the day celebrating love. After meeting some new friends from Mexico City at the Olympic Store at Robson Square, we attended the men’s figure skating competition, which was the best Olympic sporting event I’ve ever seen. Sitting fourth row from the ice, I could literally see the sweat on their brows and hear the swish of the ice beneath their skates. I was surprised how much more spectacular the event was in person – those athletes are incredible! After a lifetime of watching skating on television, to see it up close and personal was surreal. I was happy that Evan Lysacek won the gold, he deserved it. I was also lucky to attend my first hockey game, US vs. Switzerland, a great introduction to the sport.
The one day it didn’t rain or snow in Whistler was the day I made it up there, and the drive to Whistler reminded me of the Swiss Alps. Breathtaking beauty all around, and for some reason I was mistaken for Apolo Ohno twice that day. Ha! I took it as a compliment. Then, by chance, the one Victory Celebration ticket I had received (given to me on the street one day) turned out to be for Canada’s first ever gold medal won at home! Alex Bilodeau from Quebec won the men’s moguls, and you can imagine how the crowd reacted – I’ve never heard such thunderous cheering.
I also discovered my alltime favorite pub name in Vancouver: Funky Winker Bean’s! Who could come up with a more unique and fun name for a pub? Leave it to Vancouverites. And finally, beyond belief, I found that KFC in Canada offers vegan soy-chicken sandwiches. They were so delicious I actually started craving them by the end of my trip, and still miss them! Thanks to PETA and the lovely Canadian animal rights activist Pamela Anderson for negotiating the introduction of that item to the market in Canada.
And now, to my great joy, I can add another reason why I love Canada: A publishing house in Montreal, Quebec, recently released the French edition of my book “Open Your Mind, Open Your Life.” Now available in both Quebec and in France. I was delighted to receive some copies of it and, although my French skills are not what they once were, it was fun to read. My friends in Paris tell me it is excellent, and being well-received in France. My gratitude to everyone who worked on this French edition, especially to the brilliant Québecoise translator Josée Guévin. Vive le Québec! Vive le Canada!
