In Search of the Olympic Spirit

Biked down with baby on board to Concord Place to catch some of the Olympic spirit yesterday. Crowds were out enjoying this February heat wave, but few diversions at the Canadian houses.

I asked another cyclist who gave us his parking spot whether he could recommend anything to visit. He told me he'd come down to visit the Ontario House.

"How was it?" I enquired.

"Disappointing. Just people sitting around drinking beer."

We went round to the waterfront where I got talking to a couple of guys about the Quebec house (a friend of mine had suggested this would be one of the places to visit). What's happening there? "Not much," was the response.

All the houses seem to follow a similar format: tented areas with stages, a bar, and a few big flat screens. The beer is not cheap. Price of a Quebec house beer: $10.

With all the people coming and going looking for entertainment, it had as much atmosphere as an airport bar at breakfast time. At least, we weren't subjected to the airport-level security reserved for those going into the main venues. (As we entered the area people with megaphones were telling ticket-holders to relinquish their food and drink, and be prepared to empty the contents of their bags.)

I can imagine Concord Place heating up when there's a big hockey game on. And there was a big line-up for the Saskatchewan House as there was music on. But really there wasn't much to see or do, irrespective of age, so we ended up throwing pebbles into the sea.