The Olympic Torch

Now if you're not living in British Columbia, you probably haven't heard too much news about the Olympics. If you are living in British Columbia, you know that about 75% of our news the last month has been Olympic-related, and it is really nice to know that things are getting underway.

The Olympic Torch reached and passed Langley today! My school took a field trip to the big celebration.


There is more than one torch - there are actually HUNDREDS of them. Every torchbearer carries a different torch. However, there is only one flame. There are even keepers of the flame, a group of nine First Nation teenagers that have been traveling with it all over Canada. The flame goes into a special lantern each night, so it never actually goes out. So, what are they doing with the torches? Each torchbearer has the opportunity to purchase his or her torch for $300. This is, of course, after something has been done to it so that it can't be lit again. I just looked on ebay and there are torches on sale for over a thousand dollars. A THOUSAND DOLLARS! Can you imagine?


Anyways, there was a Canadian Olympic snowboarder, Dominique Vallee, signing autographs. We didn't wait in line for that, though, because there was a spot where you could hold a torch! (Reminded me of when my older sibs & I ran alongside of Lake Bemidji carrying the Olympic torch a long time ago...)


As is very obvious from my dress in the above photo - it's pretty warm out here! Many British Columbians do not understand why the Winter Olympics are being hosted in the warmest part of the entire country. In total, we have had three days of snow this winter in Vancouver & the surrounding areas. I think that was back in December. I guess there have been some travelers arriving at the airport wearing huge down parkas. Were they ever surprised!


Finally the torch arrived. Can you see it in its circle far back on the stage? Go Canada!