Final shift today with a 7am start. Not having slept so well, I decided to take a "Lyft". The weather was overcast and occasional rain, enough for it to be cold and wet standing around for hours, which was the task of the day. But we did have one of the big patio style heaters so that kept us steaming occasionally.
4 of us out there, Chris, Kevin, Tracey and me. Waiting for busses, directing people. Welcoming teams, friends and families to the final session of the games, Indoor Rowing. Lots of competitors and families thanking us for being there and stopping to show their medals (if they had them, full of pride for their achievements). Happy smiles if we were able to greet them in their own language. Maybe a lesson for next time, just learn to say good morning or good day in whatever languages are spoken.
We headed back and forth between the outside cold bit and the indoor warm and comforting areas. In between, welcoming more athletes and towards the end of our shifts seeing more medal winners heading back to their hotels with chinking medals round their necks. (Pic with Assunta Aquino - Canadian team - who won gold in downhill skiing)
We were 'forced' to take loads of snacks away with us when we went in for lunch. Tracey very kindly let me leave my box of goodies in her car while we carried on to the end of shift. All I have to do now is find space in my suitcase to get them home. Hope I don't bust my weight limit.
Another Lyft to the appartment to drop things off and refresh myself ready to head to the closing ceremony.
Leaving it as long as I could, I took a Lyft to the Rogers Arena, where the closing ceremony was being held.
I decided to have a can of lager to take in with me, no requirement to pour it into a cup. I had to end my visit with a Canadian beer, just to finish things off.
I took my seat, though alongside me to my left the row was empty, there were many seats filled.
A smaller arena than the opening ceremony, Competitors seated on the floor level, friends and family in the stands. Loads of volunteer jackets around, we were praised and thanked during many of the speeches.
Justin Trudeau spoke of the country's pride and support for all competitors and nations. It seems many of the US participants were worried they'd not be welcome. That isn't how these games work.
Prince Harry as ever gave a rousing speech before the evening ended with the "barenaked ladies" singing and everyone up dancing.
Previous acts of the evening included "Jelly Roll", a duo who called themselves "The War and Treaty", and 'Marie-Mai".
The evening ended just after 8pm and I started to head back, thinking to call for a lyft, but with no clear signal, I ended up walking the 25 minutes back to the hotel. Was halted by plain clothes security at the exit to the underground car park at the arena, while Prince Harry and his security detail drove off in a rapid convoy.
Hoping I was heading the right way, I eventually found the street I needed, stopping on the way to chat to a couple of volunteers who had been at the evening and were hoping to apply for Birmingham 2027.
Once back just after 9pm, I started sorting myself out, though I decided to pack in the morning. One last interrupted sleep to come. Homeward bound on Monday.
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