sarah vs the world

Not a video game, not a comic, not a band, but an amazing adventure continues...

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Going Underground....London Calling for Rio 2016!

So a few things have changed since the last post.  I am enjoying London, even all of the crazy weather we are having.  I waited a bit before I updated the blog because I was lucky enough to attend the Technical Rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony, and I had to #savethesurprise!  Before I get to that, let me recap my time here thus far.  
Before work got really busy, I was able to have a bit of a look around London again.  I have been here before, but it was good to see a few things.  I doubt I will get to see a whole lot more now, but here are some highlights.
Buckingham Palace Gates

Kind of weird tribute to Dodi and Di in Harrods
 Banking District in Central London
 
The Famous Gherkin Building
Beautiful typical London
 
Me with the Tower Bridge in the background
Tower Bridge in daylight

A Vertical Bus Lane -- when a bridge near my office opened
The Cutty Sark - also near work

A lovely Platform 2 @ Deptford National Rail station

 Victoria Station

Dutch Tall Ship in South Quay

I managed to catch up with quite a few people.  Have had some lovely dinners with lots of old friends.  Friends from Delhi, the NZ team have reappeared on several occasions, lots of Aussies.  It has been so great to have so many friendly faces around.  Nothing like a big event to get everyone together!
Stanley shows off her 5 points of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) as required by LOCOG
(she carries them everywhere with her)
 
 Stuart Anderson before he eats all the desserts at PC's birthday dinner...

 And after!

I have been shown around London a fair bit by the lovely Penny Robinson who took us to the Spitalfields Market and Columbia Road Flower Market.  Lots of shopping, but amazing!
The Flower Market

The cafe where they made the best flat white near Columbia Road
 
Now it has pretty much been all about work, but of course, I am still seeing lots of people I know.  Sometimes it's raining, sometimes it's lovely, sometimes it's freezing, but we are in London after all.  I have spent quite a bit of time at Stratford where Olympic Park is.  It's crazy how excited everyone is about a Westfield Shopping Mall!  But I have been to Stratford not only for shopping, but also for meetings and luckily enough for me to attend the final ticketed Technical Rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony.  Of course, we didn't get to see it all, and I was glad for that on the night.  Watching the broadcast with surprises made it better.  But it was really fun to see some of it ahead of time.  Again - congrats to all of you, and I will see you at Closing Rehearsals!
Candice and I excited about the Pixel Paddles
 
The lovely green grass on the field of play
 
Me with the Tree in the background
 
The revolution begins with the tree rising
 Industrial Revolution....totally spectacular -- loved this
The beautiful flying pyro'd up Olympic Rings - stunning

The Yellow Submarines with the Sgt Pepper Beatles
The Pixels in action - Union Jack Style
Of course we didn't get to see the cauldron, but I have to say I think it is the most beautiful cauldron I have ever seen.  Absolutely perfect.  I knew I had probably been through too many Athletes Parades though when I noticed immediately that there was not only a Flag Bearer and a Placard Bearer, but a third person carrying something unusual.  Before the parade was finished, a few of us had pieced together what was going to happen, but it still blew me away.
Will enjoy the Olympic feeling around the place a bit over the next couple of weeks while I can, but am mostly thinking about Closing Ceremony of course.  More to come.
Miss you all,
Sxo