The Beauty and the Beast or Vancouver and its 2010 Winter Olympics.
The Beauty and the Beast or Vancouver and its 2010 Winter Olympics. Actually lets just call it the "Greenhouse gaz Games" Is Nature punishing us? I love Pamela Groberman's a well known PR in Vancouver today comments "When bad news get out there its near impossible to correct." Her site seems to reflect some of it Will Vancouver be the worlds major "Cocktail Party Guide to Global Warming" ? Well maybe some of my photos will. I don't enjoy ranting and not giving thanks to a country that gave me residency. But being an eternal tourist where ever I live I feel much frustrated for and on behalf the world community and just wish to inform, show and document the bare reality. For those who only want to see the beautiful of the city shortcut to here http://bit.ly/6NXQ8 or here http://bit.ly/dzr6DU
See the UP and RUNNING Olympics street ambiance at http://bit.ly/cEsAem
The organizers are playing wicked games unreal, trucking in snow from 300km away 150loads weeks before the games. One wonders how will it look then ..in two weeks??
Olympics.... would you not think a grand reason to enjoy for all locals and visitors. This is the 1st time I live in an Olympic city since the "Innsbruck winter games " Sonja Henie ice skating in her woolly tights" http://bit.ly/bR5JoG haha. Times have changed I agree, the costumes are prettier but what on earth made the officials go overboard with "SECURITY"? 1 Billion $ spend on security. On land, water, under water, in the air and everywhere. I rather like the rhyme of "Sea Sex and Sun" :-).
With a friend we decided to have a walk about and see how the fortifications are turning Vancouver's landmark in to a horror show of bad taste thinking and planning.
Basically the well known "Canada place" a world famous site and its promenade is "OFF LIMITS" . The only place where one could take the famed shot parading with the perspective as backdrop coming out of the underground ( the 1st photo here) boosts this mesh wall. In front of the drop that only has water behind . What on earth could one do there that may not be secure. Leap off with a rocket propelled Delta wing or what ? From that place onwards one can NOT catch one photogenic glimpse of Canada Place neither next to, what Vancouver has spend a utmost considerable amount to built . The greenest convention center in the world, with its famous grass roof, linking it to the promenade around the Canada Place that gives one the stunning look of the north shore and Stanley park. Well dear visitors from all around the world its not part of Vancouver showcase anymore. We rather let you shop 24/7 on our grim ( on world standards) Robson street .. great have fun shopping at 4am!
The Vancouver you thought seeing is not a place for you to see or walk along, hand in hand'r stand to take romantic souvenir photos. Unless you walk to Stanley park and get the distant postcard view a mere 4km not for elderly legs ( you know those who have time and money to attend Olympics).
The convention center Its the appointed "media headquarters". You know for those who will sit 24/7 in front of their laptops and G3 phones passing on the good news be they gold, silver or bronze tinted. Hopefully for their teams and not give a hoot of whats out there behind their back as it will only be viewable from those who have a window view.
Was there no other place in Vancouver to put them and let the public see and enjoy Vancouver clean and pristine waterfront? The so much touted about "Cruiseship hotel" has been canceled already due to poor sales. Sure who would pay 500$ per night with no cruising included, when your average cruise (island included) is famous for not costing more than an average 100US$ per night. Well done bravo for the show of greed it worked well. Sad for the 11 kids of the "Make a Wish foundation" that now has no where to lodge the kids and their families that were promised to stay there for free to give them a relief from their severe life sufferings. Their bags were packed and ready we hear http://bit.ly/dzs4SO just in case you own a hotel or yacht or mansion to provide. Contact them here at http://bit.ly/dycy8y who knows...
So if the front street wall of the convention center has no protective fence what would have been the difference of putting a fence all around and leave the promenade open for the public. and hey this is as you can see not your average "Chicken Wire fence" it is a riot proof concrete base that is in place for many many month since October i was told till march for two weeks in February,. Bravo for promoting Tourism. Water front Hotel entrances are cluttered with some of these most horrible plastic tents that seem to have taken over the city. What on earth makes a white plastic tent look good on grey or white. Did not one ever think maybe to put prints of some colorful Olympic graphics?
I spare you what early tourist said when they were asked, cheap, nasty, not green, or don't know what they are her for are just a few heard on TV .
The worst comes to mind is the living in an Olympic city just shows the horror of how far and unreal and "not fair play nor sportive spirit invigorated " such games are.
The racking in on licenses fees is incredible. Anyone who dares to make one step to close to be " associated" with the Olympic spirit and tries to gain a few meager $ from the 250.000 announced guest is sued or fined. The every day person can get nothing but the short end of the stick. No parking, the security everywhere that make it only unpleasant to be here. Your average creative Joe can not show his creativity unless he spends his life savings on a ridiculous license fee ( that is unaffordable) to all but the usual BIG brands that I will not gratify to name here. I really think Olympics should be taken back to the people and let them showcase a city to the visitors.
Not that I love to rant, but when I see a simple grocery store not to be allowed to show a sign that says something with the Olympic logo on it but is allowed to sell the mirad
of "Olympic drinks and food" its ridiculous. I think the local security is more scared of local elements than some intl terrorists.
The Village housing scheme that was supposed to become a " affordable" option after the events has become a high end prices project with the notorious 100+ milllion $ building company bankruptcy or what ever rotten deal of big wheel dealers that was. Naturally Vancouverites have no way to walk near and see for our self what is is like. Neither does the Canadian made 60 days test Tram hat goes from Granville Island to far enough of the village so as to make it a again a pain to really enjoy from the doorstep of the village for "security reasons" so much for the "Towncar" adventure shipped in from Brussels Belgium.
Beside I still want to share some of the graphics and "beautifications" shown in town by this or that brand or organization. Taiwan used the opportunity to advertise its Island Nation with Art and Skytrains transformed into a very colorful trains talking about anything but the Olympics :-) I guess the license fee was a concern. But BRAVO for all the lanterns that will make the Chinese New Year well and duely marked. But then aren't we lucky that a well known soft drink giant has visually turned all the stations into soft drink slurping promotion centers. MORE TO FOLLOW as things go..
I like the staircase Art concept at Robson place.. just wish the man was a bit higher so not to have to lie on the floor to see the man standing in one piece. :-)
And to end want to see how to spend a more than a few $ on not so "green" electricity saving $? Go and see online webcams of the live light show every night during the Olympics
http://bit.ly/cPnMK6 how green is that...hope not some airliner will follow it to land in the harbor :-).
Read MoreSee the UP and RUNNING Olympics street ambiance at http://bit.ly/cEsAem
The organizers are playing wicked games unreal, trucking in snow from 300km away 150loads weeks before the games. One wonders how will it look then ..in two weeks??
Olympics.... would you not think a grand reason to enjoy for all locals and visitors. This is the 1st time I live in an Olympic city since the "Innsbruck winter games " Sonja Henie ice skating in her woolly tights" http://bit.ly/bR5JoG haha. Times have changed I agree, the costumes are prettier but what on earth made the officials go overboard with "SECURITY"? 1 Billion $ spend on security. On land, water, under water, in the air and everywhere. I rather like the rhyme of "Sea Sex and Sun" :-).
With a friend we decided to have a walk about and see how the fortifications are turning Vancouver's landmark in to a horror show of bad taste thinking and planning.
Basically the well known "Canada place" a world famous site and its promenade is "OFF LIMITS" . The only place where one could take the famed shot parading with the perspective as backdrop coming out of the underground ( the 1st photo here) boosts this mesh wall. In front of the drop that only has water behind . What on earth could one do there that may not be secure. Leap off with a rocket propelled Delta wing or what ? From that place onwards one can NOT catch one photogenic glimpse of Canada Place neither next to, what Vancouver has spend a utmost considerable amount to built . The greenest convention center in the world, with its famous grass roof, linking it to the promenade around the Canada Place that gives one the stunning look of the north shore and Stanley park. Well dear visitors from all around the world its not part of Vancouver showcase anymore. We rather let you shop 24/7 on our grim ( on world standards) Robson street .. great have fun shopping at 4am!
The Vancouver you thought seeing is not a place for you to see or walk along, hand in hand'r stand to take romantic souvenir photos. Unless you walk to Stanley park and get the distant postcard view a mere 4km not for elderly legs ( you know those who have time and money to attend Olympics).
The convention center Its the appointed "media headquarters". You know for those who will sit 24/7 in front of their laptops and G3 phones passing on the good news be they gold, silver or bronze tinted. Hopefully for their teams and not give a hoot of whats out there behind their back as it will only be viewable from those who have a window view.
Was there no other place in Vancouver to put them and let the public see and enjoy Vancouver clean and pristine waterfront? The so much touted about "Cruiseship hotel" has been canceled already due to poor sales. Sure who would pay 500$ per night with no cruising included, when your average cruise (island included) is famous for not costing more than an average 100US$ per night. Well done bravo for the show of greed it worked well. Sad for the 11 kids of the "Make a Wish foundation" that now has no where to lodge the kids and their families that were promised to stay there for free to give them a relief from their severe life sufferings. Their bags were packed and ready we hear http://bit.ly/dzs4SO just in case you own a hotel or yacht or mansion to provide. Contact them here at http://bit.ly/dycy8y who knows...
So if the front street wall of the convention center has no protective fence what would have been the difference of putting a fence all around and leave the promenade open for the public. and hey this is as you can see not your average "Chicken Wire fence" it is a riot proof concrete base that is in place for many many month since October i was told till march for two weeks in February,. Bravo for promoting Tourism. Water front Hotel entrances are cluttered with some of these most horrible plastic tents that seem to have taken over the city. What on earth makes a white plastic tent look good on grey or white. Did not one ever think maybe to put prints of some colorful Olympic graphics?
I spare you what early tourist said when they were asked, cheap, nasty, not green, or don't know what they are her for are just a few heard on TV .
The worst comes to mind is the living in an Olympic city just shows the horror of how far and unreal and "not fair play nor sportive spirit invigorated " such games are.
The racking in on licenses fees is incredible. Anyone who dares to make one step to close to be " associated" with the Olympic spirit and tries to gain a few meager $ from the 250.000 announced guest is sued or fined. The every day person can get nothing but the short end of the stick. No parking, the security everywhere that make it only unpleasant to be here. Your average creative Joe can not show his creativity unless he spends his life savings on a ridiculous license fee ( that is unaffordable) to all but the usual BIG brands that I will not gratify to name here. I really think Olympics should be taken back to the people and let them showcase a city to the visitors.
Not that I love to rant, but when I see a simple grocery store not to be allowed to show a sign that says something with the Olympic logo on it but is allowed to sell the mirad
of "Olympic drinks and food" its ridiculous. I think the local security is more scared of local elements than some intl terrorists.
The Village housing scheme that was supposed to become a " affordable" option after the events has become a high end prices project with the notorious 100+ milllion $ building company bankruptcy or what ever rotten deal of big wheel dealers that was. Naturally Vancouverites have no way to walk near and see for our self what is is like. Neither does the Canadian made 60 days test Tram hat goes from Granville Island to far enough of the village so as to make it a again a pain to really enjoy from the doorstep of the village for "security reasons" so much for the "Towncar" adventure shipped in from Brussels Belgium.
Beside I still want to share some of the graphics and "beautifications" shown in town by this or that brand or organization. Taiwan used the opportunity to advertise its Island Nation with Art and Skytrains transformed into a very colorful trains talking about anything but the Olympics :-) I guess the license fee was a concern. But BRAVO for all the lanterns that will make the Chinese New Year well and duely marked. But then aren't we lucky that a well known soft drink giant has visually turned all the stations into soft drink slurping promotion centers. MORE TO FOLLOW as things go..
I like the staircase Art concept at Robson place.. just wish the man was a bit higher so not to have to lie on the floor to see the man standing in one piece. :-)
And to end want to see how to spend a more than a few $ on not so "green" electricity saving $? Go and see online webcams of the live light show every night during the Olympics
http://bit.ly/cPnMK6 how green is that...hope not some airliner will follow it to land in the harbor :-).
NV10 Samsung & Olympus8080 camera Prime view coming out of the main Waterfront Skytrain underground station.
vancouver winter olympics 2010canadabritish columbiasportssecurity2010newstravel.holidaygreenplastic
