Thanks Vancouver!

This is it.

I’m in my hotel room on my last night in Vancouver, before flying to Banff (Alberta) for a couple of days of R & R.

These Olympics have been unforgettable. Too many memories to write down (plus, I’m too tired!). If you’ve followed not only my blog, but my Hearst colleagues’ blogs, you know it’s been hard work but so much fun. We do both really well!

Vancouver is spectacular, and what an amazing host to such an exciting and memorable Games. Canadians welcomed us, and helped us the many times we had “lost” written all over our faces.

Another extraordinary Olympic assignment is in the books.

Thanks for following my adventures!

-Aixa

Time To Wrap This Up, Eh?

As I write this, I’m watching the Closing Ceremony. Michael Buble is running around dressed like a Mounty and the Canadians have just sent a few giant inflatable beavers out onto the ice.  It’s either a sign of the Apocalypse or the Winter Olympics are drawing to a close.

I will remember Vancouver for its impeccable manners.  Canadians are ridiculously polite.

We’re sorry the weather was crummy.

We’re sorry we had a few glitches with the Cauldron.

The only thing we’re not sorry for is kicking your backsides in hockey.

We had a really awesome Olympic Team this time around…probably my favorite ever.  We worked longer and harder than we ever have before on one of these trips. And, to my partner in crime Domi, thanks for everything you do and don’t do, say and don’t say.  You’re a great partner and an even better friend.

Here now is a “gift” I received from a street clown in Vancouver this weekend.  He said it was his gift to America.  Remember, I’m just the messenger!  See you later and thanks Canada!

Cutting the Cheese!

Its been a great run of Olympics.  From Atlanta all the way to Vancouver, the experiences have been terrific.  One of the closes thing to my heart is the food.  Beijing, the Chinese food was great, Torino the great european cheeses sustained me.  Had a tough time finding that stuff here due to our crazy hours, but what surprised me the most was the good food in yes….our own commissary.                                                                             

Whereas the cheese kept me going in Italy, the soup prepared by the staff soothed the long days.  My favorite was the Butternut ginger soup.    There were usually four choice s of soup and Ithey were all good.  Medalist were Potatoe Leak, seafood chowder and the spicy beef pot.                                     When we did go out I was able to taste a bit of Bone Marrow and Chicken Saltibucco.  It looked as good at tasted.  Very exotic for some, but not for a filipino like me.

You can find fast food as well and honestly the only fast food I had here was my favorite.

There are only five of these store in all of Vancouver and I found the one in the Filipino district on the way to work. 

Some things reminded me on my heritage…Mom would do wonders with stuff like this.  Some things remind me of home. It all comes back to the cheese.  Got some at Safeway to hold me over til I found some on a tray.

Been a good Olympics and I didn’t gain a pound!

Night Train Wins Gold!

I’ve never really followed bobsled until these Olympics.

It all started when I read about Steven Holcomb’s vision and the condition that caused him to go legally blind. His vision is crystal clear now (after eye surgery), but he doesn’t clean his helmet visor because he’d still rather drive the sled by feeling not vision.

Holcomb and his three teammates make up “The Night Train” — that’s their sled’s nickname.

They were gold medal favorites going in to these Olympics, and they lived up to the hype.

Gold for Team USA!

First gold medal for the Americans in the 4-man bobsled since 1948!

Here’s a funny picture of Holcomb and me with Holcomb’s teammate Curt Tomasevicz and NBC reporter (and fellow Florida resident!) Kristen Dahlgren. Kristen and I traded our credentials for the guys’ medals.

Wake up Aixa, the Olympics are almost over!

-Aixa

Last Minute Shopping

Having a little extra time during these last few days I decided to pick up a few things for the folks back home. So did everyone else.

 The shops were packed with people looking for the perfect gift. As I browsed the shelves, I was struck by, not only the sheer amount, but also the variety of Olympic things still left to buy.

The Olympic gym bag for all your after-athletic needs.

All kinds of glass, jade, or other stone Inukshuk’s are still on the shelves.

You could pay $20.00 for $5 dollars worth of Canadian Coins…

 Or spend that money on the Official figure skating baseball cap.  Which was surprisingly still in stock.

Vancouver Memories

The Olympic Rings on Burrard Inlet

Olympic memories are special. They’re from a special place, at a special time with special people. My memories from Vancouver will always include how honestly nice and helpful the Canadians are compared to Americans – unless you’re talking hockey!

Downtown Vancouver at Night

Then there’s the city. It’s truly beautiful, and it did a wonderful job hosting the Games. The buildings are decorated, the crowds are well-behaved, the scenery is incredible, and at night, the city looks spectacular.

Red Mittens

I will never look at a pair of red mittens the same way again. Nearly every Canadian has them and wears them proudly.

Travis Curling

No matter what people say, curling is a sport that’s not as easy as it looks – just ask Aixa.

Aixa Curling

As for the Olympic competition itself, I won’t remember how many medals we won or if any records were set, but I will remember Georgian luger Noda Kumaritshvili, and this haunting image.

Olympic Tragedy

I’ll never forget working with Deirdre, Brian, Aixa, Domi, Rhino, Jamie, and Erin. The stories, the lack of sleep, the freezing cold mornings, and the incredible amount of hard work and energy they brought everyday was phenomenal.

Aixa Live in Vancouver

Deirdre Live in Vancouver

Jamie on the Live Platform

Domi Freezing on the Platform

Travis Producing on the Platform

We close out the Games with more than 350 live shots, 500 look-lives, and without a doubt, the best group coverage of the Vancouver Olympic Games on the planet!

The Best Group Coverage on the Planet.

‘Nuff said.

- Travis

The weight of the Olympics on my back

After two weeks of covering the Olympics I am looking forward to getting back into my Ford Explorer and to Blue Canyon for a bit of Sierra snow.  Working with Mike TeSelle is a lot of fun!  Maybe the only reason for this crazy feeling is that the News SVU has room for my stuff!  I compressed everything I’d needed and packed it on my back for the last few weeks.  The 25 pounds or so riding on my shoulders plus an additional 30 pound camera has gotten me soooo back into shape that my Blue Canyon shots should be outstanding.  There are some Olympic memories that were just GETTING to the shoot!   

Looking forward to seeing my  wife Lynn, Iddy, Lil Kitty,  Ceasar, friends , Co-workers the boys on the elbow at the ”Pine Cove.”   Its been fun.  Oh yeah…All the KCRA viewers in the Valley.  Thanks for watching.  Its been a pleasure.

Visa…They’re Stalking you.

From the “what will they think of next” file, I bring you the Mobile ATM.

This  van was parked outside the Skytrain station this morning, and while image this may be familiar to some folks, it’s a first for me.

Visa, they’re everywhere your going to be, so you might as well get used to it.