From Russia With Disappointment

Good news everybody: BC House, Canada House, the Royal Canadian Mint Pavilion, and the zip-line are all staying open for a few more weeks! I'll finally be able to see them. Yay, rejoice!!

But one venue that is not being extended is Russia House, so I set my sights on seeing that one today. I went with my mom because she's working for the Olympics, so she has one of those passes that allows you to bypass the lines. I wore the staff card she gave me, as well as the flannel shell part of her orange and black 2010 Vancouver Transit jacket so that I would look like a full-fledged employee. At first the security guy wouldn't let me in, but my mom, who had been easily admitted, came back and told the guy I worked for the transit company, and when he realized we were together, he let me through.

Well, let me tell you this: if you missed Russia House, good on you. It's over-rated and the staff are incredibly RUDE. Nothing is in English so it's really easy to start going through something -- a doorway, the wrong staircase, a VIP lounge -- thinking it's a part of the venue and then have someone put their arm out in front of you and say in a condescending tone: "Sorry, not open to the public."

And they ran out of freebies! What kind of supposedly well-planned organization allows that to happen?! I went over to this desk where earlier a huge line of people had been to get Russia House souvenirs and even before I opened my mouth to ask if I could get a pin, the lady behind the desk snapped, "NOTHING LEFT. ALL GONE." A tiny line gathered at the desk a few minutes later and that same lady completely ignored everyone waiting, checking her email while the people waited expectantly.

There were a few things to see, like performers playing traditional Russian instruments, and a largescale model of the Sochi Olympics skiing hills and sports venues was set up so visitors could get a preview of the next Winter Games, but that was about it. Not much for such a big space.


The only redeeming thing about Russia House was the gift shop, which, I must admit, sells the best Olympic merchandise. And I was able to get a Sochi 2014 pin near the exit.


Anyway, I can't wait to have Science World back.

We left Russia House and walked along the sea wall to the other venues. People have balanced the rocks there into beautiful little Inukshuks. There's got to be thousands of them stretching along the sea wall. Some of them are gravitational feats. I hope they keep them after the Olympics.



Rock on!

-Bonnie

Night of the Cheburashkas

Good morning, everyone,

Why am I blogging instead of going to bed? BECAUSE SUNDAY WAS THE BEST DAY EVER!!!!! I probably don't have to remind any of you that Team USA won the hockey game last night, but I can tell you I was the happiest girl downtown walking against the hoards of sour-faced Canadians. And to top it off, when I went down to Russia House, a giant Cheburashka was dancing around out front!!!



From there, I went to the BC Hydro's Power Smart Village, which gives out green light-up necklaces. I got there right at closing time so one of the reps just handed me one; I didn't have to answer any power smart trivia for it, which always makes me feel like a douchebag because I know the answers but don't necessarily put them into practice at home...

From there it was on to the giant London Drugs across from the Bay, which is having a massive 50% off sale on ALL OLYMPIC MERCHANDISE. I grabbed a box of four mascot stuffies, which normally goes for $60, but decided not to buy it and hold out for the even better discounts which I'm sure (hoping) follow after the Games.

Waiting for the bus, I discovered another Russian pavilion on Burrard --


Jeez, these guys have taken up the entire city! of course, all these venues are private, but at least they lined the entrance and walkway with Cheburashkas in order to make passerbys feel better about being denied entrance. I looked forward to seeing what the Sochi Olympics will be like.


Alright, well now that I've been given the chance to share my happiness and excitement with y'all, I'm off to bed.

Pleasant Cheburashka dreams!

-Bonnie

2010 Vancouver Winter Games Counter
Drunks Wall-peeing: 7
Pavilions Visited: 9
Olympic Souvenirs: 10
Olympic Goals Achieved: 1 1/2

Pavilions, pavilions, and more pavilions

Thursday after my volunteer shift at the Vancouver Aquarium (by the way, admission prices are 50% if you get there between 8 and 9:00 am!) I decided to check out Saxony House, which is inside the Vancouver Rowing Club. There wasn't anything there for me, but if you are into German music, nine-dollar traditional German food, and lots of German beer, I suggest you check it out.

Later that day, after work, I walked down to the area where Science World is, or as I like to call it: Pavilion Place. I really wanted to see Russia House, and being misled by the non-existent line-up, I thought it was the perfect time to go and avoid the crowds. Unfortunately, Russia House has terrible hours: it closes at five. I got there at 7:30. I could see the Cheburashkas in the gift shop window, stared at them longingly until I felt the security guards watching me like I was going to break in so I headed for the other pavilions.

A short walk down are three pavilions all together: Saskatchewan, Québec, and Ontario. because it was nighttime, concerts were playing and people were crowded around big outdoor screens watching the hockey game between Team Canada and Switzerland. I went into the Saskatchewan pavilion first, which is housed inside a giant, inflatable volley ball with images projected onto it. It wasn't crowded, and next to Northern House, I think it's one of the best pavilions. I'm starting to notice a pattern here: all the good houses are usually deserted because they feature provinces that everybody thinks are uninteresting. Well, let me be the first to debunk that myth by saying the Saskatchewan pavilion was awesome. You can get a free picture taken of yourself in front of a Saskatchewan landscape, and once it's taken they give you a bar code and URL where you can obtain your image. I chose a wheat field:


Afterwards, I went into what I believe was Québec House, but there was nothing there except a French band and the stench of beer in the air. I'll try again another time because I was under the impression that there would be exhibits and all that fun, touristy stuff. Ontario House was insanely busy so I didn't even bother.

And that's what I did this week. Oh, I haven't been to Atlantic House yet, but my crazy-awesome, Maritime grandmother waited two hours in line just to see it, and she says they're giving away free samples of lobster, clams, fish, crab, basically every Maritime dish, so if you like sea food, you gotta go. She also told me she's been bullshitting to volunteers in each pavilion in order to get pins, and it's worked so far: she's collected three.

Check 'ya later!

-Bonnie

Free to roam, as long as it's free

In consideration of convenience, I checked out a few of the Granville Island pavilions today, which are probably the least busy Olympic-related venues in Vancouver. And there's a reason for that. Francophone House feels like a job fair: it’s just booths set up in the False Creek Community Centre gymnasium, with lots of pamphlets and brochures. No exhibits or anything interactive. The House of Switzerland was equally as uninteresting: for eight bucks you can get melted cheese on a slice of bread and a sausage. Quite the rip-off, especially since they were giving away the cheese melts for FREE on the opening day.

I didn’t go to Atlantic House because the line-up was practically the length of the Island, but I hear it’s amazing, with live concerts and different Maritime meal samplers every day. One of the highlight performances at Atlantic House a few nights ago was Ashley MacIsaac, and if you’re not familiar with him — and didn’t see him play during the opening ceremony — before you look him up on Wikipedia, watch this video of him on Late Night with Conan O’Brien to really get a sense of why he’s known as Canada’s bad boy:


I also saw the cauldron at Canada Place, which was spectacular, except for the five layers of reinforced fencing separating visitors from it, but I hear that’s going to be removed soon. Oh, rumor has it that a new souvenir of the cauldron has been release, so I'll be sure to check that one out. On the way back, I went to Northern House, which, I have to say, is the best, most interactive pavilion in Vancouver. It’s not that busy, either, because everybody’s so pre-occupied with the parties going on at Irish House and the Coke pavilion. A band was playing at Northern House, and they have this video maker where you can record a message while video footage of the Territories rolls behind you. Be warned, though: if you decide to record a video, you have 20 seconds of talking, which can be quite a long time for somebody who just walked off the street and wasn’t expecting to be filmed on camera. Anyway, it was loads of fun and I have the video I made below to prove it:

Bonnie's Olympic Hello!
But today was not all warm, Olympic memories. I found USA House. Bad news: it's not open to the public. The place is hidden inside a condominium showroom; the windows covered in ornate, full-length privacy stickers. I was able to get through the front door, but three security guards and a secretary blocked the rest of the way. Just over their heads I could see walls and walls of Team USA apparel. I was informed that the store is only for members of Team USA and their family and friends. A moment of silence please.







Since my Olympic goal was such a complete letdown, I’ve decided to compile a new list of goals that hopefully won’t be so disappointing. In no particular order they are:

• Get one of those light-up Coca Cola bottles
  
  
• Get my picture taken with Quatchi, Sumi, Miga, and Mukmuk
  
  
• See the rest of the pavilions
  
  
• Go to Russia House and get at least one Cheburashka
  
  
• Take a ride on the zip line
  
  
• Wait and see if the 2010 merchandise goes on sale after the games, and then BUY MASCOT STUFFIES!!!!
  

See you at the free stuff!

-Bonnie