I'm currently in an internet cafe along the Rue du Parc in Montreal, just across the street from my priceline hotel ($46 a night, and perfectly acceptable). As they want $C10 a day for high speed internet access (about $US8), I have decided to use an internet cafe across the street which gives me 8 hours for $C20 (about $US16), which will last me the rest of the week, as I will not be on line as much as I usually am. I am using a French keyboard, so some of the characters are not working (like the apostrophe...I have given up trying to figure out how to use that).
I almost did not make it to the airport, as the deadbolt mechanism in my front door broke as I was engaging it before driving away on Sunday night. After talking with my dad and one of the nephews, I barricaded the front door with a sofa, exited via the attached garage, and raced to SFO, arriving at the ticket counters 35 minutes before my AA 2345 departure to Chicago (cutoff for check in with carry on is 30 minutes, so not much time to spare). Spoke with my dad tonight (midnight Mon in Montreal now) and he did get over and replace the deadbolt during the day. I can always count on my dad to come through!
Needless to say I did not sleep much in first class (6A, MD80) on the 3.5 hour flight between SFO and Chicago, which arrived just 0530 Monday local time. We sat at the gate for about 15 mins as there was equipment in the way, and AA could not seem to locate anyone to move it so we could park.
I headed over to the Admirals Club for about an hour, and then went to the gate for the 0755 regional jet flight (CRJ) to Montreal. AA still had not got things together. This time we sat at the gate an hour, in light rain, and not once during that time did either of the flight attendants, or the pilot, enlighten us as to why we were still sitting there. Eventually we were out of there, and about 90 mins later, with some light turbulence, we arrived in Montreal (noon local time). I quickly made my way out of the airport, took the airport bus into the city, and checked into my hotel. Met with the Coughlins in old town Montreal at 2pm. Their hotel is just a block away from Notre Dame Cathedral, though we are both about the same distance from the pool at the Jean Drapeau Metro station.
The swimming venue here is outdoors, so potential thunderstorms this week could be a problem.
Overhead photo of swimming venue:
http://www.montreal2005.org/eng/Inst...tallations.cfm
Although swimming runs 8 days, I have timed my arrival to coincide with Natalies individual events, 100 back and 100 free. She is the World Record holder and Olympic Gold Medalist in the 100 back. Tonight she swam semis in it (top 16 swimmers from prelims earlier today), and is seeded #1 going into finals tomorrow night. Hopefully another gold medal on the way.
I have to tell you I am seriously impressed by the RCMP who are poolside in their red tunics raising the flags of the winning countries. They march in (3 of them), get in formation to raise the flags, and once raised they turn around and salute until the anthem of the winning country is concluded. I know they raised the U.S. flag twice tonight due to gold medal wins, and hopefully we will see it a few more times this week. I have just not seen a more professional flag ceremony. Canada should be proud of them, as well as the excellent pool facilities here.
After tonights swimming, Speedo hosted a dinner for U.S. families that was well attended (beef, lamb, various pasta dishes, a very popular chocolate fondue for puring over strawberries, and much more). It was just a 5 min walk from the pool. I did not leave until 11pm (swimming went from about 6-8pm). Ièm only 3 Metro stops away from the pool. Nice being inside with air conditioning, as the hot temperatures here, combined with the humidity, have me dripping in sweat. I need AC
That is about it for now. I will add some comments below about the swimmer I am here following, for those of you not familiar with her.
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Natalie Coughlin is the daughter of close friend's that I have known for 30 years (and winner of 5 medals at the Athens Olympics, including two gold medals--I was there). She is co-captain of the U.S. Team in Montreal.
Link to event photos on Yahoo (some nice ones from today):
http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/...&c=news_photos
Link to event site:
http://www.montreal2005.org/eng/index.cfm
Next post will be after 100 backstroke finals on Tuesday night.
GO, NATALIE !!!