Less than 24 hours out from heading west to Seattle, I think I’m just about ready to go.  Since I’ll be away from home for a week, there are a few more details to check off my mental to-do list.   (I really should write things down; as I get older I tend to forget things.) 

I’ve stopped my mail.  Did you know you can do that online?  Just visit USPS.com and in just a matter of minutes you can pick a date to stop and start delivery.  It’s a great service.  I have my passport, extra battery and memory cards for my camera; not to mention my old camera just in case the digital one malfunctions.  Maps, reservation confirmations and credit cards (remember, only Visa at the Games).

I’m just about packed.  I had hoped that I wouldn’t have to check a bag, but I’m bringing gifts for my hosts and their children, and that seemed to push me over the carry-on limit.  (Now, I have a ‘valid’ excuse to pack more clothes since I have the room.)  I do have to call my neighbors to let them know I’ll be gone; and to take advantage of their offer to help if needed.  We’ve been getting quite a bit of snow.  I’m going to ask Dave if he’ll snow blow my driveway if there’s a significant snowfall while I’m gone.  I can’t imagine a worse scenario than arriving home after a long trip, late at night, and not being able to get into the driveway.  (I’ll have to remember to bring Olympic souvenirs home for his kids.)

My excitement about heading to the Olympics has been growing exponentially since the Games began last Friday and since receiving an e-mail from my cousin, Chris, writing about his Olympic journey.  He’s an Olympic volunteer and has been assigned the task of chauffeuring an International Olympic Committee (IOC) VIP during the Games.  He writes that the mission statement of the Olympics “is to bring the elite athletes from countries all over the world together to compete in peace, to learn and grow together.  Excellence, Friendship, and Respect are the guiding principles used to organize Olympic Games, to encourage new world records and build a better world through peace and sport.”  Reading that brings tears to my eyes.   Chris also said that his accreditation as a volunteer provides access to every venue, the Olympic villages, the medal presentation centers and the IOC offices.  Needless to say, I’m anxious to debrief Chris when I arrive at his home on Friday.

I wondered about security in these tenuous times and Chris wrote, “Cops, cops, cops and military. They are everywhere and from every corner of the country, St. John, Montreal, Surete de Quebec, Barrie, Durham, Peel, Hamilton, Toronto, RCMP, Canadian Navy, Canadian Coast Guard, Air Force on the ground, in the water and in the sky. They are armored and weaponed and forever vigilant. They do try to stay in the background and I am very grateful they are there. You can tell it is difficult for them- everyone wants them to lighten up and you can tell they want to but they really can't drop their guard. Everyone is celebrating without a care because we know they are there looking out for us.” 

Next stop – Seattle.  A couple days of playing tourist there and on Friday, it’s on to Vancouver.  Read the author's previous posts here.