February 20, 2002
Hi, Where are you from?
This is the most common way of saying hello that you hear out here. Everyone enjoys meeting people from other places, and its amazing how many times there is some kind of connection there. I had a man on my bus today ask where I was from and after explaining that I was raised in the UP of Michigan, it turns out he used to deliver supplies to the iron mines where my grandfather worked. Another lady overheard me say I was from Michigan and when she got off the bus she stopped and said her brother lived in Lansing and she was from Wisconsin. It's a neat experience talking to people on your bus from far away places like Japan, Australia and Europe, then at the same time meeting someone from your own state. This is truly Salt Lake hosting the world.
We had an added attraction at Soldier Hollow the other day. After the venue opened and the spectators were in the park, someone spotted a bobcat up in a tree right in the venue. He seemed to be happy just laying up on a limb and watching all the people. The decision was made to leave him alone, but they did put an armed FBI agent on station at the tree to keep an eye on him. He stayed there all day and was still there when the events were over and the park emptied out. He was one fan who got away without having to buy a ticket. Maybe I should bring him home as CATA's new mascot. What do you think?
I haven't had the opportunity to see too many stars here, although Bob Sagat was the MC at the medals ceremony I attended and Al Roker from the Today show did his morning show from our venue the other day. I am seeing more athletes though. Now that the events for some of the athletes are over, they are now becoming spectators as well. I met one of the athletes from the Liechtenstein Alpine ski team yesterday. He came to Soldier Hollow to watch his friends compete in the cross country skiing event. Speaking of athletes, our local favorites, the Jamaicans, didn't fare so well in the two man event. They did set a record for fastest start time, but ended up 27th in the competition. They have another chance in the four man event.
Finally a day off tomorrow. I'm going to Utah Olympic Park to see the ski jumping. I hope to have some good pictures to send tomorrow.
Til then,
Len
