London Olympics Arrival - August 2nd

Wow! Sensory overload! 

My lovely mother, Marilyn, and I flew out at 6:30pm and I slept the whole way.  Like 8 hours, I think.  When we landed at 11am, I felt great and by the time we got to our hotel on the tube I was already feeling like I had adjusted to the time zone.  Unfortunately, as it turns out, while we were deciphering the London Underground maps and figuring out how to buy our Oyster Cards that grant us access to the Tube - we were missing Prince Harry's visit to Canada Olympic House.  Lucky for me, I've already found my prince charming, so I was only moderately disappointed.  My Mom, on the other hand... not so moderate. 

Walking around London is breathtaking, but needless to say, a bit of a change of pace from the shores of Nitinat Lake, BC.  The history of the palaces and cathedrals and other spectacular buildings is so intriguing and the intricacies of the designs and construction are unbelievable.  I honestly don't really feel like we're in the midst of the Olympic Games when we aren't right at the venues.  It's not like Vancouver's city-wide buzz, with people showing their Nations' colours in their clothing, on signs, and even painted on their faces.  I said in my interview with the Mike and Tare Show on Vancouver's QMFM today that, during our Games, I seriously felt like everyone in the whole city was partying except for me.  Not here, really.  In fairness, maybe it's too early for me to be forming that opinion.  I'll try to get more into the scene in the next few days. I can say for sure, that it is really, really nice to be a part of the Olympics without the pressure of competing.  I did a really good job of convincing myself that I wasn't under any pressure during our Games but looking back on it, I realize just how much work that required.  Even hearing the Olympic song on CTV as I was packing for this trip, I got all stressed out momentarily.  And then I remembered "it's okay, not this time, your Olympic work is done" ... for a little while.  Sochi sure is coming up quickly though!