In my last post I wrote about the excitement of seeing my first live event at the London Olympics.  That event was held at the ExCel center, a large venue that houses multiple Olympic events under one roof. But the ExCel building is not in the Olympic Park itself. The main Olympic Park can only be accessed by those who have a ticket to an event on the grounds or by those who were lucky enough to score one of the coveted park entry tickets.

You have indeed arrived – Olympic Park 2012.

On the very next day, I had in my hot little hands, tickets to the handball event.  Not a sport that I have much knowledge about, but I was happy to check it out as it got me entry to the main Olympic Park. While it was exciting to be ringside at the Judo competition in the ExCel center the day before, just wandering around the Olympic Park was on a whole different level.

Follow the Pink Foam Fingers

Futuristic looking buildings like the Velodrome, the Basketball arena and the Aquatics Center set against meandering pathways, wildflowers, signature bright pink Olympics signs and flags from around the world. It was a mix of styles, colors, materials and people that just seemed to blend seamlessly.

The Basketball Arena

Beautiful wild flowers planted all around the park

But the true joy from the park came from the spectators and athletes that wandered the grounds taking pictures, swapping jokes, trading Olympic pins and rehashing recent event results.  I made my way into the Olympic Megastore and found myself standing in front of the display of large flags from around the world, debating if I should spend the 10 pounds to buy a US flag. I nearly left it on the shelf but decided at the last second to buy one and walked out of the store with it draped around my shoulders. What a great use of 10 pounds. Before I was just some tourist wandering around the grounds, but with the flag I had a country and an identity.  People started to smile, shout “U-S-A, U-S-A”, and ask to take pictures with me and the flag.  Even the cops and park volunteers got in on the act.

Like my new hat?

There’s really not much I can say that won’t sound cliche-ish (nations coming together, the spirit of competition, its a small world after all, blah blah blah) so I’ll use some of my pictures from the day to show the beauty and the spirit of a day at the Olympic Park. Enjoy!

On my way into the park – here we go!

USA represents

The main Olympic Venue greets you just as you enter

Checking out the multi color walkway inside the park

I loved the British Bowler hats

Support for Team Germany

Interesting Olympic Fact

In case you get a little parched on the way to your event

Notes from well wishers along a garden path

Outdoor viewing screens along the river

Crowds along the bank watch the live event telecasts

Olympic rings at sunset

Installation art along an Olympic Park walking path

Now THAT’S team spirit, Canada!

The former commonwealth photos. Brits, Americans and an Aussie in there somewhere

Kudos to these ladies for finding Union Jack Snuggies