We arrive to a city awash in red and white.
Smiles greet strangers, good cheer fills the air.
People flock to the city centre, anticipating the finale, the Big Game, that most mighty of winter Olympic events.
Lots of ways to demonstrate one’s national pride.
Fortunately, the mild weather provides no constraints on self-expresson.
Or self-abnegation.
“With glowing hearts” encompasses the city’s spirit, initially one of some cynicism, now one of unabashed pride.
The game begins and the faithful gather.
Many gruelling and nail-biting moments later — gold for Canada!
And the Other Team leaves the building.
The streets erupt with cheers, honking, dancing and overall good will.
It’s good to be back.
The Country Mice 
Must have been fun being in the middle of it. Against my better judgment makes me tear up. Never ever used to do that unless I was standing on foreign soil and heard Oh Canada. Saw the picture of the big flag and thought of that old song – The Maple Leaf our emblem dear…the Maple Leaf forever…
However on the y’all being there and we all being here I say: Come Home E.T. Come Home.
Mary
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Ahhhh Mary — now you’re making *me* cry.
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I was thinking that you were there. Were you able to see any of the closing, either inside or out?
Lori
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We saw lots of frenzy immediately post-gold medal — non-stop cheering, yelling, honking in the streets — which went on for hours.
Returned to our friends’ to watch the rest of the excitement on television.
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