Playing Catch Up

Hey everyone,

Well I've suffered through and am happy to report that it only took 25 minutes for my computer to open Mozilla and then open this lovely website so that I could share with you. I'm counting that as a serious win. I do want to apologize for the space between blogs. It's a fight worth fighting and I'll do battle more frequently on your behalf.

Let me attempt to catch you up.

Weeks ago I was in the throws of the Olympic experience. Work in the village was standard and I started making friends with the athletes. It continued to amaze me how they could be so normal and yet so elite. I guess people are really just people when it comes down to it. The Canadian bobsled team was one of the first groups that I met. There I was just minding my own business by nosily saying hello to every person who walked by and demanding to see their accreditation as they entered the cafeteria when I look up from one ID to none other than Graeme Rinholm. Now. I'll have you know this is a big deal. Graeme graduated from my high school just a year or two before me and actually conducted my application interview. Mouth agape I said "Oh my goodness! It's Graeme!". To which he replied, "Yup" and kept walking. I yelled after him, "It's Julia! From RJC!". He looked confused and grabbed a food tray. I'll have you know I was shocked. How dare he just saunter by like that. He should have at least feigned interest in my unexpected appearance in Russia, in Sochi, at the Olympics, in the athlete's village, in the athlete's dining hall, at the exact moment he was. But no. Alas! He didn't remember me. Oh well, it happens. 10 minutes later he came back and apologized. He said I looked familiar but he hadn't been able to place me. We shared a good laugh and I met the bobsled teams. Graeme was attending the Olympics as an alternate athlete. Due to the crash during the Games, he was actually able to race. I am incredibly proud of his accomplishment. And I thank him for making the Games that much more memorable and special for me.

Naturally the Canadians weren't the only ones I met. The Jamaician bobsled team was true to expectations and hilarious. The Brits had the most adorable and kind skeleton racer. The Irish were a feisty lot. Australia brought me a lovely lady who reminded me a lot of Patrice. The Brazilians promised to look for me in Rio. The French enjoyed my attempts at speaking French. The Latvians brought a man with the most piercing blue eyes (I never did get the courage to tell him they were stunning). I could go on and on. Everyone was friendly and happy.

Outside of work, our little international clan was growing closer and beginning to incorporate more and more Russians. When we first arrived, I will admit that we English speakers clung together a little bit. But by the end of the games, we were just as likely to sit with Russian friends as international ones. Our work and village brought us together out of sheer situation but the Olympic spirit of cooperation and friendship made us connect on a personal level. Language barriers couldn't stop us. Indeed they often provided us laughter and made our conversations that much more meaningful in the first few weeks. As the Games progressed our Russian counterparts became more confident in their English and us internationals began to adopt more Russian. We also had opportunities to just hangout with each other. As I previously wrote, the Russians quickly took to Dutch Blitz and our friendship circle expanded that way. Most of the people that we worked with also lived in the village of Vesoloye so we saw each other at meals and often ventured out to buy sweets together. The olympic organization also gifted volunteers free tickets through out the Games to events that didn't sell out. I had the pleasure to go watch Alpine Skiing with Oksana. I really enjoyed that one on one connection time.

Speaking of events -- I attended the Snowboard Slope-style competition the day before the Games officially started and also the Apline Ski near the end of the Games. Most importanty/excitingly/extensively/Canadianly I was able to attend 4 Canadian Olympic hockey games. I watched Canada vs. Finland (which I had purchased tickets for). I watched Canada vs Austria due to my most wonderful friend Chad. I watched Canada vs Latvia due to a generous Russian man who gave me a free ticket. And... drum roll please... I watched the Canada vs Sweden GOLD MEDAL GAME! I jokingly stated in one of my interviews that I was a good luck charm for Canada. Well it's less joke and more reality. I have empirical proof people. I purchased my Canada Gold Medal Game ticket and rushed off to get my camera. Naturally my nature and the nature of Russia colluded and I arrived at the game late. I shimmied into my seat, turned to my friend and asked "How are we doing?". "It doesn't look good," he replied, "We are getting dominated". "Don't fear, momma's here" I responded. Three minutes later we had our first goal and there was no doubt who was going to come out on top. So. You're welcome Canada. :)

What else should I tell you!? These blogs are so much easier if you write as you go. This experience has been an incredible vivid blur. I guess this also leaves some mystery for you folks back home. Haha. You'll still have to ask me about my trip.

I guess I'll just talk about now. Right now I'm sitting in Istanbul. I arrived late last night and got to my hostel with little trouble.The city is stunning. If you ever decide to come to Istanbul, stay at the Istanbul Hostel and follow their directions on how to get to there. Also, arrive around sunset. I got off the metro around 9pm. It was dark except for the Agia Sofia lit up on my left and the Blue Mosque shinning on my right. It was overwhelming. As you might have guessed, the hostel is in an incredibly central location. I am blocks away from Blue Mosque, Agia Sofia and the Basilica Cistern is only one block further.

Polina arrived safely last night and we spent most of today walking around. We toured Topkapi Palace and the Istanbul Archaeology Museums. The palace was huge which I suppose is to be expected. It was opulent and yet comfortable. Don't worry, I'll have pics up (hopefully) soon. Then we had a scrumptious lunch at a stunning cafe near the palace. So many veggies. I missed those over the last month. After lunch we sauntered back to the hostel to grab an extra layer and then headed out to the Spice Market. It wasn't nearly as crazy as I expected but I loved every second. We even got to eat some free samples. Tasty. Even tastier were the mini donuts we found and devoured. Note to Canada; ground pistachios on mini donuts is a thing. It's a very good thing. Fat camp continued -- Oh! I should tell you about Fat Camp. Side bar Your Honour this is important. During the Olympics we walked insane amounts. Up hills, down hills, around hill, thru hills. We climbed sets of stairs like it weren't no thang. But it was. Cause no matter how you step it 900 stairs in a row is a lot. Hence, we lovingly refer to the walking aspect of our experience as Fat Camp. So! Fat Camp continued for Polina and I today as I'm fairly certain we walked over 25kms up hills, down hill, around hills, and thru hills. And we encountered some stairs. Haha. It was great. (Freedom friends, I might actually come back relatively in shape). Our stair count was some what diminished when decided to skip the Galata Tower due to cost. Though it may have had an elevator... In any case we still walked to it.

I'm trying to think of a witty way to sign off but it's simply not coming to me. I think tonight I'll just say good night and sweet dreams.

Sleepily yours,
Julia