I've said it before, and I'll say it again: 2012 is a really great year to be living in England! Today, the Olympic torch came through Bury St. Edmunds, just a block away from our house. It was so much fun to be a part of it all.
It was thrilling to join the crowds lining the streets in anticipation.
OK, so it was really crowded, and most of my pictures have someone's head right in the front. But I'll share them anyhow. I love the lady on the right smiling for the camera below!
There it is!!! Psych.
I imagine this is one of those very rare days when it's actually a good thing to live along this busy street...
This is something nice about living in such a small town-- at gatherings like these, we are bound to bump into people we know (actually, more likely, that Amelia knows) and that is heart-warming for me.
We waited for a long time, but it was well worth it!
I really, actually, had to work very hard not to burst into tears in the middle of the parade-- the feeling that I was part of something significant, along with all the people around me, was overwhelming. I know it's corny. That's just how I am wired.
I felt happy for the policemen that got to be celebrities of some sort, high-fiving the crowds.
I have no idea who this runner is, but he's a champ, and we cheered!
OK, so I don't know who was actually carrying the torch, either, but I am hoping that most of the people around me did!
Woohooooooo! There it is!
Look at the little boys' faces!
There it goes!
I loved seeing all the crowds and flags, and the big feeling of excitement in the air.
Afterward, we went to a neighborhood pub, and it was like a big block party. What fun to be a part of it all!
Have you gotten to witness the passing of the Olympic torch? I'd love to hear about it!
P.S. More pictures on the And Here We Are facebook page!
OK, so it was really crowded, and most of my pictures have someone's head right in the front. But I'll share them anyhow. I love the lady on the right smiling for the camera below!
This is something nice about living in such a small town-- at gatherings like these, we are bound to bump into people we know (actually, more likely, that Amelia knows) and that is heart-warming for me.
Have you gotten to witness the passing of the Olympic torch? I'd love to hear about it!
P.S. More pictures on the And Here We Are facebook page!
Awesome! I was thinking it would be a great year to live there and was wondering if you'd see any of that action!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's fun! And there are signs everywhere of all the excitement and anticipation-- so much patriotic bunting, flags hung outside windows, etc. And the schools are teaching the kids about Olympics and having mini-games. Pretty exciting-- I never experienced this as a kid...
DeleteLooking at all of these smiling, excited faces in the crowd, it is hard to believe that these are the same standoffish, stiff-upper-lip Englishmen you have encountered on a daily basis. Hope you ran out and made friends right and left while the opportunity lasted:) Loving your blog!!
ReplyDeleteI know, right?! Actually, I did make a new friend today (I ran into the woman I had met at school in the post you're referring to and she introduced me to another woman)-- neither of them are really from Bury, though, and complained about the same thing as I've been dealing with. I am thankful for their friendliness and understanding! Baby steps...
DeleteGood for you! And, yes, baby steps...BTW, my name is Sherry and I live in North Carlina. I came across your blog when I was reading comments on The Non Consumer Advocate. (I think that was it, or something similar.) Anyway, very much enjoy your writing and following your grand adventure in ex-pat living.
DeleteThank you for introducing yourself, Sherry-- I love knowing who my readers are, and where they are coming from. And, I think Bury is warming up to us-- but at its own pace. I plan to report on some more baby steps soon!
DeleteIt's coming through our area on Tuesday. Can't wait! Thanks for sharing your photos. I love Amelia's torch
ReplyDeleteI will look forward to seeing it through your eyes, as well-- this is one of those fun things we get to witness over and over through other bloggers, like the Jubilee. I love it!
DeleteAriana I know JUST what you mean, that feeling that you are about to burst into tears. I am wired just the same and have so often been overcome with emotion when sharing those types of moments and I love that you mention that. When I read that my heart felt a strong tug of sympathy with you my friend :)
ReplyDeleteAnd what a fun, exciting experience for Amelia - I bet she won't ever forget that! I've never seen an Olympic torch but I have seen the flame at the Olympics itself. I was lucky enough to attend the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and it was such a thrilling thing to be a part of. My favorite part was seeing the cauldron with the flame and thinking of that unbroken spark from games to games over the years - it is really pretty darn special.
And happy to hear that you are making more connections - hopefully some genuine friendships will be fostered :)
That's so awesome that you got to attend the Vancouver Olympics! We are still debating whether we are going to go into London for the games or not. I don't want to be a baby about it, but I think it is going to be just totally nuts over there-- congested, crowded, etc. I'm trying to decide whether I will regret not attending or not. I am mostly just happy to participate in these ways. The feeling in the air of excitement, and just that sense of connection to each other and to the world here is strong, and I am loving it. And I'm glad I'm not the only one that get's overwhelmed by moments of solidarity and significance. It just washes over me in an unexpected wave sometimes. I didn't see anyone else crying, so I wondered if anyone else feels that way. :)
DeleteAnd I do think the new acquaintance is promising-- I actually got my first invitation for a drink! Hurray!
I think you should brave the crowds! I'm like you in that I generally avoid this type of stuff - it seems too big a hassle. But I'm so glad I went. It was really great fun and it was just kind of thrilling to actually be at the Olympics. Something we've watched our entire lives. And to actually be there - it was wonderful! And of course I got all fired up about the coming together of the entire world. It still just boggles my mind that on the one hand all these countries can come together in the spirit of sportsmanship and goodwill and then on the other hand we can go back home and polarize and start wars. It is so heartbreaking. But also inspiring and hopeful that we've come together at all. But honestly, I never felt overwhelmed with the crowds. We never had any trouble getting around. It really was like a well-oiled machine. I wonder too if it might not be so bad in London as I'd imagine most other tourists will be avoiding it during the Olympics?
DeleteAnd so happy about your new acquaintance and your invite! That does elicit a big hurray! And have fun with your visitor - I bet you can hardly wait :)
That is so cool! It's neat that you were able to get so close to the street/torchbearer. Great pics!
ReplyDeleteI know, it was really great to be right there, on the curb. This is what is so great about living in such a small town-- it's just big enough to get the torch coming through, but small enough that there's plenty of space for everyone-- and we walked there from less than five minutes away!
DeleteVery nice report and some great pics - thanks. I remember being on the committee organising the arrival of of the Olympic torch to my isolated town in outback Australia ahead of the 2000 games. It was flown in by jet, did a lap around the airport and flew out to the next town 1,000 kms away! Yours looked like much more fun!
ReplyDeleteOh, wow! I think it's pretty special that they still brought it out to you-- that is a lot of effort! How many people were at the airport to see it?
DeleteLovely photographs and it sounds like it was a great event. We saw the torch pass in Colchester and the atmosphere there was like one big party also, with the police joining in, chatting and greeting the crowd. I have a few photos on my blog, it was truly a momentous event.
ReplyDeleteIt is SO fun. I never saw the torch passing in my own country, and this has been really cool to be a part of! Thanks for stopping by-- I will go check out your pictures!
Delete