It has been a busy couple of days here in Sochi. Yesterday was our first full day here and we were busy getting things done! First on the agenda was getting our spectator passes. Everyone who plans on attending an event in Sochi needs to have one in addition to their ticket. Our host drove us and after seeing a fender bender (turns out that's the only English word he knows) we made it to the 'mall' to pick up our passes. This mall is clearly new and built for the games but not near being ready. There are only a couple stores in it and crews were working hard to get it all done for the crowds to start arriving. Getting our spectator passes weren't overly difficult. Not many of the volunteers actually speak English (despite the 'I speak English' pins they proudly wear) but with the help of hand gestures and friendly smiles we made our way through.
After getting our spectator passes we planned on going to Olympic park to pick up our accreditations. However this wasn't as easy as one would think. Our host got lost multiple times and no one was able to give him directions, including all the volunteers in the bright jackets. All we could think was how does no one know how to get to certain parts of Olympic park including the main entrance. There just isn't a huge buzz around the city. The confusion continued when we finally got to the accreditation center but once we said we were Canadian we were taken to the front of every line. Everyone was polite and overly helpful even with the lack of English spoken. Unfortunately it was only Doug and Mikaela who got their accreditation. Lisa and Stacey had to go back today due a minor issue.
Today was another overcast day but we got up and walked downtown. We have been very fortunate since it usually pours rain at night but stops during the day. We explored a market and ate lunch at a pizzaria. We then made the trek back to Olympic park to get the missing accreditations. On out bus ride there it was shocking to see all the unfinished buildings. Hardly any are complete around the Olympic park. Workers have their work cut out for them in the next week. But we have heard of volunteers who have been moved out of their hotels and into others due to incomplete work. Even parts of Olympic park need a lot of work before the opening ceremonies.
There is an amusement park in Olympic park which includes rollercoasters and other fun rides. The idea is brilliant but unfortunately the park isn't complete and we aren't sure if it will be before the Olympics.
Lisa and Stacey finally got their accreditation and we headed into the park. Staff were working hard to finish all the minor details and we were even able to see the Olympic flame lit during a rehearsal for the opening ceremonies. A rare sight to see before any Olympic games. Once inside the park it was neat to see all of the buildings and have a visual created for us. We walked around and took lots of pictures. We were able to stop into Canada Olympic house briefly and check out the progress there. It is going to be a pretty cool hangout once the games start. We were also able to sneak a peek into the stadium for the opening ceremonies and see some of the cool things to be used. Last thing we stopped by was the MPC and IBC which are both very impressive looking buildings.
Being in Olympic park was a surreal feeling for all of us. It was neat being able to enter before all of the crowds arrive. There hasn't been a huge buzz around the city so it was neat to see what the site itself looks like. There will be a different buzz around the city and especially Olympic park once the events start and fans flood in during the next week!
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