Spectacular spectator

In the last 24 hours I have been to two hockey games, speed skating and curling. Here are the highlight!

Getting a little hands-on!

Austria vs Finalnd men's hockey - Finland slaughtered my Austrians :(

My date - Tanya

Short track speed skating

My team leader Nadya

At Russia vs. Sweden women's hockey - Woo volunteers!

The crowd went wild for the win!

Norway's curling pants are covered in flowers. Quite colourful!

Canada beats Norway! WOO

Olympic pin trading. Yup, it's a big deal!

When I first arrived at the Adler airport, I was immediately asked by an American to trade pins. I thought, "cool, I'm glad I brought some Canadian pins!" He gave me a Biathlon pin from Vancouver 2010 and I gave him a plain Canadian flag pin. After that encounter, I didn't think much of it. Since my arrival, pin trading has taken on a whole new meaning. I went through security to Olympic Park and decided to give the security guard a Canadian pin. The chaos that ensued after amazed me. All the other security guards flocked to get a pin, and everyone going through security held out their hands to get their fingers on one of my tiny metal medallions.

At the bus stations, there are international pin traders galore. I met one guy from Japan, a woman from Salt Lake City, and a man from Surrey, BC. They hop from Olympic games to Olympic games just to trade pins.... I kid you not. This is a big deal.

This guy travelled all the way from Salt Lake to trade pins.

Now, I don't leave my residence without my bag of pins. Today was a special day for me. I completed my first pin transaction! When I purchased a phone charger at Megaphone, I got a cute bear pin. This pin has little meaning to me, so I found an international trader and got myself a 1988 Calgary Olympic pin.

I got this one on the bus to work!

These pins are the newest addition to my collection CIRCA 1980s Soviet Russia

Also of note, I secured myself a ticket to men's curling CAN vs NOR on February 14, 9am in Sochi, so 10pm in Canada. I'll be all dressed up, crossing my fingers to make it on camera! I also snagged a ticket to men's downhill skiing on February 21. These are definitely going in the scrapbook!

Run chat

After my eventful day with a fellow Canadian, I hit the promenade with my running shoes. I've got good motivation to hit the track everyday. On June 1st, I'll be running in the 50th Scotiabank Marathon (I'm doing the half) in support of the Children's Wish Foundation. To sponsor me, visit my fundraising page.

I'm quite nervous to start training for my second half-marathon. The last one I completed was in Prague in March 2012. Since then, I tore both my MCLs in a bicycle accident and recovery has been interesting. I'm getting a false sense of confidence running at sea level. It's a breeze compared to back home in Edmonton.

I opted out of bringing my camera on today's run, and I am extremely disappointed in myself. I ran right past Clara Hughes! I'm not usually one to be starstruck, but I had to stop and talk to her! Of course, there's no photographic proof, but I can say I shook her hand and you better believe I'll have my camera on every run from here on out. These little jaunts along the beach are proving to be the favourite part of my days!

I may not have a photo, but I've got a tweet!

Here are some shots from last night's run. The promenade along the sea is incredible. The air is crisp, and I always seem to have a little pep in my step when I remember where I am.

Reminds me of home! Police on horseback. 

Bringing back the fannypack.

Follow the yellow brick road. 

Sochi art at sunset.

I'd also like to thank everyone who's been reading, following and sharing my adventures. The blog has over 1000 hits. For this lil' ol' Edmontonian, that's fantastic! Knowing I have support back home makes me feel not alone in this journey. 

Real Canadian spirit

Aside from the weather being slightly overcast and windy (don’t feel sorry for my +15 weather here...), today was a marvellous day! Seeing a friendly face in a strange land always seems to brighten my day. Today I met with a former coworker, Paul, to go watch Sweden vs. Japan women’s hockey. 

It's nice to have a photographer ;)

This was my first time in the Shayba arena and I was quite impressed. It’s clean and the food is expensive; just like at home. 

Paul sported his team Canada jersey, and the fandemonium that followed amazed me. At one point, there was a line-up to get a photo with the Canadian. Russian after Russian wanted a snapshot with the boy in red. I was fortunate enough to hop on the bandwagon with my team Canada mittens. It sure made me regret not getting a more obviously Canadian outfit. Next Olympic games I go to, I’ll get one of those skin suits in red ;)

The game itself was thrilling. We had amazing seats (thanks Paul!) The swedes were aggressive, which would make my dear friends in Sweden very proud! (Right Tommy and Theo??)

The crowd was cheering for Japan. My theory is they don’t want Sweden to win because they pose a threat to the Russians. My next hockey game will be Sweden vs. Russia, so I can only imagine what the fans will be like at that game! I am looking forward to it! In the end, Sweden took the game 1-0, but Japan put up a decent fight.

I enjoyed spending some time with a fellow Canadian, mostly because this gave me the chance to practice my Russian. Usually when I am with a Russian, I let them do all the talking. With Paul, I had to step up to the plate and order us some food. Thankfully, we both got what we wanted and then said our goodbyes. He’s headed home tomorrow. I’ll be here until March 16th if any other friendly faces would like to join me!

Thanks for the taste of home Paul! 

Never get tired of this view!

A sound investment

During my trip to downtown Sochi, I pulled my purse strings open and invested in a solid pair of running shoes. Already this purchase has paid off. On my run this morning along the coast, I met a volunteer from Kazakhstan. We chatted for a while, mostly about the adorable puppy that was following him through his workout. He then proceeded to give me a small shoe keychain in Kazakhstan colours. Of course this was the one time I didn’t have any pins or Canadiana to return the favour. I guess I’ll have to start running with a fanny-pack full of goodies!

My little running buddy 

I had to buy men's shoes because they don't sell women's shoes in my size!

Th beautiful black sea (which is actually clear as day)

A gift from Kazahkstan.

Every morning, I sit on the rocky beach and watch the fishermen set up their rigs. It’s quite impressive. Between two fishermen, I counted ten rigs. That’s the way to do it! I could watch these guys all day, alas, then I would be late for another shift and that wouldn’t be very Canadian of me. I’m certain I will be overly apologetic on arrival to my venue and will make up for it on my next shift. 

My morning routine - perhaps I'll practice my russian with the fishermen...

The view from my residence

Tomorrow will be an exciting day! I am meeting with a former co-worker and we’re going to a hockey game. It’s one of my four scheduled days off, so I have the entire day to myself! I have only been inside Fischt stadium so far, so this will be an exciting moment for me. I also have a ticket to a hockey game on February 13. You’d think I was Canadian or something with all these hockey games? Pictures to follow soon!

Here's an inside look at all the venues of the 2014 Olympics. This is Russia's equivalent to google maps, and just like street view, you can get to street level BUT ALSO see inside the venues. Worth a look!  Thanks to my friend Vladimir for showing me this link!